Eastercon and diversity

[nanila]

lapswood was kind enough to send me a few photos he took at Eastercon last month. I thought this one made a nice illustration of some points that were made about PoCs and the (lack of) diversity at science fiction conventions.

This is from the panel I was on. Myself, the gentleman next to me and the man on the opposite end from me are all working scientists. The other man is the moderator - I'm not sure whether or not he is a scientist.



When I look at this picture, the first thing that pops into my head is the Sesame Street song: "One of these things is not like the others/One of these things just doesn't belong."

Visually, the thing that doesn't belong is me. And that makes me sad. What does it make you think?

Comments

[innerbrat]

You and the moderator are the only people looking in the same direction, and from body language I infer the only people paying attention to the topic as hand. The gentleman next to you looks more interested in the contents of his hand, and the gentleman on the far end looks like someone in the front row just flashed him.

[nanila]

It was my first such panel, so I was feeling pretty anxious about contributing appropriately and well. I think the chap next to me may have betrayed a fleeting interest in his beer...