I'd love to read more about 842's experience at the event and, particularly, how it contrasts with other events.
I sometimes wonder if FIRST's focus on involving more underrepresented groups in its programs tricks us into thinking that we're all doing a fantastic job at creating a safe, welcoming environment for those people. We're not -- or, at least, we can certainly do better -- and only through the narratives of those who're affected can we learn to change for the better.
Ideologically, I believe strongly that singling out woman, for example, as a target for increased attention only further marginalizes their position in a society. Necessarily, those who can take such initiative are in a position of privilege and power over others, making them least suited to understanding that which keeps the underrepresented away. "Equal Opportunity," is a placebo that distracts us from perceiving more damaging, innate prejudices. It's a magic trick.
We need to hear the voices of the people that the program
has reached -- not those who're doing the reaching -- and find out from them what works and what does not work. When people feel at ease enough with this environment that can speak and write candidly about what
doesn't work, we'll have really started making things change. Right now, we're posturing a lot and achieving remarkably little -- but there's momentum and that's certainly not a bad thing.
(...and remarkably, I think of myself as an optimist.
)