[237] in Discussion of MIT-community interests
Richard's comments
daemon@ATHENA.MIT.EDU (Zhelinrentice L Scott)
Fri Apr 27 12:09:58 2001
Message-Id: <200104271604.MAA16816@scrubbing-bubbles.mit.edu>
To: mit-talk@MIT.EDU, iguanatw@MIT.EDU
cc: marilee@MIT.EDU, larryben@MIT.EDU, paulp@MIT.EDU
Date: Fri, 27 Apr 2001 12:04:54 -0400
From: Zhelinrentice L Scott <zlscott@MIT.EDU>
To quote the extropians' web page at the time (the quotes around
"underrepresented" were theirs):
MIT certainly lowers standards for women and
`underrepresented' minorities. The average woman at MIT is
less intelligent and ambitious than the average man at MIT.
The average `underrepresented' minority at MIT is less
intelligent and ambitious than the average
non-`underrepresented' minority.
This paragraph isn't even subtle. If anyone here reads this as not
being racist and sexist, then you need to reconsider how good you are
at recognizing prejudice.
MIT is already good at combatting overt prejudice and violence.
Dealing with subtle bias and discrimination is what needs focus.
+ Richard
I agree with Richard. I am an african american woman who came from
a high school where I was the top in my class. I had a perfect
GPA with AP Chemistry, Biology, History, and other AP's under my belt.
I was Long Beach's Young Woman of the Year, and I competed on the State
level for California's Junior Miss(An intellectual version of the
Ms. America pageants), I was an accomplished violinist, and track athelete.
I also was very active in my community.
Professors and students here at MIT have said many things during my
MIT career that was racist and sexist. I find it offensive that my
presence here at MIT is constantly questioned directly and indirectly.
Especially after I am a double major, about to graduate successfully
with 2 BS from MIT. This racist feeling and talk makes me upset,
and drives me to work even harder. My mother was not lying when she
said that, "A Black person has to work 10X harder than a white person
to make it in this world". I have met white students who
have a 3.0 average who feel that they have more right to be here than
I do, a black woman with a B+ average at MIT. I find that although
I love MIT and the opportunities it has afforded me, I find it dissappointing
that even individuals in the faith community feel that I, and others
like me are "less motivated, and less qualified to be here".
YES I have taken this crap for 4 years, and life has lots more of it.
I know that the shit that life dishes out if inevitable.
However I believe in every ounce of my being that MIT(students, admins, profs)
have to take leadership roles in debunking the racist, sexist, and homophobic
attitudes that individuals here hold based on LIES.
You shall know the truth, and the truth shall and will set you free.
Zhe
-----------
===========================================
Zhelinrentice Scott <zlscott@mit.edu>
Management and Music Double Major
___________________________________________
http://web.mit.edu/zlscott/www/home.html
-------------------------------------------
"The Lord is the Source and the Strength of
My life, of whom shall I fear?"
===========================================
