pic: The Fighting Rednecks

[Daniel_LaFleur]

Originally Posted by JaneYoung

Well, let's explore this just a little further and then I will hush.

If one buys into the vision of helping to change the culture, bringing science and technology and its value/importance to light in our schools and communities - that is a tall order for an FRC team that is interested in building robots and competing. If a school has sports teams and mascots and traditionally promotes those teams, their history, and their value to the community - is that changing the culture or - is that status quo as old as the hills? The names/logos/mission statements and activities that FRC teams brand themselves with can help their communities develop and change or they can help them remain the same, keeping recognition of science and technology in shadow rather than in the light.

Rednecks, I do not mean to pick on you in any way - I am just offering a different perspective and perhaps some food for thought.

Jane

Edit: I was writing while Chris posted. This comment is not about the copyright post.

Jane,

You and I usually agree on things, but in this case I have to disagree with you.

FIRST is about changing culture. How can we change culture if we (in this case the social stigma of the word 'Redneck') avoid the topics that are truely divisive in this society? Isn't it better to challange the stereotype rather than ignore / avoid it? It seems to me that if these 'Rednecks' can built robots, doesn't that effectively challenge society's stereotype ?

JMHO