The Technological Divide

This came across my desk over the weekend so I thought I would share it with everyone.

It is sometimes easy to forget that there is still a stark technological divide in our community – between each other and the majority population.  As someone who uses the internet and computer for much of my lifestyle and living, it is easy to forget that there are those in my community who don’t even have access to a computer or internet except in public places or on their jobs.

Florida A&M has been granted a grant to fund Black women specifically who are interested in pursuing information technology and computer science.  While I think we are WAY too plugged in these days, some of us need to be at the table when decision and policy making happen.

According to the press release, of all the entering freshmen declaring a major in Computer Science, 3.3% are African American women.  What the “norm” is one can’t tell from just statistics.  I will say, as someone who majored in a technical field at a predominately white university, you look to your left….you look to your right….and you hope to see at least someone in the room who looks like you.

“The numbers are staggering,” said Jason T. Black, Ph. D., assistant professor in CIS. “The fact is that women are not choosing technology, and this is a dangerous predicament. When you couple that with the fact that it is estimated that 75 percent of all jobs by the year 2020 will require a technology background, it becomes a crisis call.”

In case you haven’t heard, everything in our community is a crisis……I don’t know about you, but I’m in crisis fatigue!!!!!

Nonetheless, we do need more folks going into scientific fields so that we continue to have a voice as decisions are made about policy and change.  We also have to remember that just because there’s a shortage or dearth of us in a particular field, doesn’t mean we necessarily need to be there or engaging (e.g. mercenaries, slaughter house laborers, etc.)  In this case, however, I think we have to be there.

Okay, I’ve belabored the point enough.  Go out and get some kids interested in science and math.  We need them.  For more information contact FAMU directly.

Serena Williams has done it again. Critics love the Williams sisters and yet they can’t seem to put their racism aside at times. The Williams sisters break ever mold of what a tennis champion should be. They’re sharp, funny, powerful, multi-dimensional, graceful, persistent, and …they win.

The Williams sisters took gold together winning the Olympic Gold Medal together this summer in Beijing proving together they are still the best.

Serena fought to the very end against opponent Jelena Jankovic. I only got to watch the last half hour of the match, but what I saw was great. Both Williams and Jankovic wanted to win. As did both of the Williams sisters. Venus and Serena played each other in the semi-finals with Serena coming out on top.

Venus seemed nonetheless prouder of her sister’s victory. Having several sisters myself who stick together, it was great to see their bond and support of one another. But on the court, watch out. They pull no punches.

Venus Williams

So what’s the latest scuttle, at least from what we could see….Dad seems to have a new girlfriend, although we didn’t get a shot. Mom is looking fly as usual and many of the Williams clan were present. Black is beautiful and so are the Williams sisters.

Sour Grapes Jankovic?

But before we go…what was up with Jelena Jankovic. She seemed to be saying all the wrong things at all the wrong times during the after-match interviews….didn’t she get any home training. “How much do I get?” she butted in as Serena was awarded her award and FAT check….”how much do I get?” And they talk about us….

Okay, so I “stumbled” upon this video which has Obama stating that there are 57 states. Perhaps you’ve heard about it or even seen it…..

So reading through the ignorant – as usual – Youtube comments, one caught my attention

Yeah right …I thought…they just trying to take my Barry out!!

So doing my own due diligence, I Googled the OIC and asked how many states there are. Here is what I found:

All I can say is WTF?????

Conservatives are using this to once again link Obama to the Islamic tradition and prove that he is secretly a Muslim and was raised Muslim in school as a youth. Okay….right or wrong, Muslim or not, Obama is still my guy. However, I am just a wee bit concerned that the media hasn’t had a field day with this. I mean, I just happened to stumble on it. And I’m not always on top of it. So what gives?

Did you know???

Having watched the Democratic National Convention and painfully checking in and out on the Republican National Convention —- I think being evacuated from the city of New Orleans through Hurricane Gustav was less painful . it’s clear that the Republicans have a lot to hide – starting with its lack of diversity.

Throughout the DNC, if you tuned into CNN, you were forced to deal with scrolling ticker screens that even the calmest multi-tasking, undiagnosed A.D.D.’er would enjoy.

The Democrats took the opportunity to educate us viewers on its party’s history, the good and even what we might interpret as the bad. Party facts such as when the first African American delegate were seated, who was represented at the conventions – lesbian & gay (12%), Latinos (18%), African Americans (24.5%). Yes, the DNC looked like a party we could all enjoy. Good music, great speeches, and lots of diverse faces. And though we have forgotten the numbers, we remember the faces. Call it a few days of Kumba Ya…….but don’t drink the kool aid .

The stark difference in the Republican National Convention was only noticeable due to the many faces of color, women, lesbians, gays, etc. present at the DNC. If they were there, the DNC wanted you to know about it. Not a bad move and transparent I would even add.

The RNC, on the other hand, didn’t you want to think about anything. In fact, they really didn’t care. Guess who ain’t comin to dinner. I think I saw every last one of the 10 black folk there and half of them had cowboy hats on…..okay….I’m exaggerating. According to Eurweb.com and NPR, there were a whopping 36 African American delegates. Okay, let’s break that down. That’s actually 1.7%. I digress… 5% Latinos, and 68% men. Kinda hard to notice…ya think???

With so much going on, we at the AAG have not been able to give our full debriefing of both conventions. Three hurricanes, the Olympics, and trying to make it in the cold hard GOP world, just ain’t easy. We would have loved to hear more about each candidates positions on several issues. The Dems tried, but the Republicans really frightened me. Not a concrete thing to say. And no BUSH and his crew….but I digress.

Sound off on your convention take below.

photo by Chicago Tribune, Bob Fila

Bernie Mac Is Dead – Remembering The Comedian Who Wasn’t Afraid Of Anyone

I ain’t scared of you. That is perhaps the line I remember most from Bernie Mac. Growing up, it was hard to watch without getting caught, cuz he had a “dirty” mouth. Well, this morning we learned about the passing away of Bernie Mac.

“America…these kids is driving me crazy!!!” He did well on the Bernie Mac show. I remember seeing the effect of the steroid drugs he was treated with for his illness. I enjoyed watching the interplay between him, Wanda, and “the kids.” Critiques aside, at least it was a positive show on portraying a Black family in American.

Gone at 50…..it doesn’t seem right, but with all the money in the world, he could not change his health condition. Diagnosed with sarcoidosis, an auto-immune disease causing inflammation and often affecting the lungs, Bernie Mac lost his battle.

After watching the Olympic opening last night I am reminded that even as most of the planet lives off of $2 a day and with no “cure” for Cancer and diseases like Bernie Mac’s sarcoidosis, we must deal with our own mortality and live with the end in mind.

On my way to a funeral this morning, ironically, I am quick to remember that each one of us dies a little bit everyday. Let us remember his “nasty ass” jokes and salute him today.

We send shout outs and good vibrations to Bernie wherever he may be.

Aishah Shahidah Simmons, award winning documentary filmmaker of NO! The Rape Documentary took a bold step last week.

After the fallout of the Clinton campaign and the conclusive victory of Barack Obama, many of us relished if only for a brief moment in the victory and historic moment.

For the first time in our country’s history, a man of African descent (once removed we might add) became the Democratic candidate for the Presidential election.

While this is certainly a major coup and a monumental occasion, the hows and there-to-fores of what took place during the primaries is still to be settled.

White feminist supporting Hilary Clinton chose sides vehemently ignoring Black women completely. That tall linky man Barack disrespected Miss Ann, and dey wasn’t havin’ it. Completely forgetting about African American women 1st wave, 2nd wave, and 3rd wave, their language reeked of amnesia and racism as they proudly held their white feminist flag.

Barack was the only thing standing in the way of Hilary Clinton becoming the nominee. Only because he was a man (and not the most qualified candidate receiving the majority popular and delegate vote) was she not getting the votes she deserved and was counting on we might add.

Well Simmons’ had had enough. She wrote an embracing, yet authoritative open letter to the White feminists supporting Clinton. To read the letter in it’s entirety, check out Simmons’ blog.

The month of April is Sexual Assault month. What are you doing to become a part of the solution.

Currently, 1 in 3 women will be raped or sexually assaulted in her life time. In the coming days we will be sharing resources that you can share with your family and community to help prevent sexual assault and put an end to the madness. Sound off here and let us know how you feel about sexual assault in your community.