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

[surexit]

It makes me think that we need to DESTROY SOCIETY and REBUILD IT FROM THE GROUND UP. *starts building survival hut in garden*

Also it makes me sadface, but hopeful that things have at least changed a bit in the last fifty years or whatever, and hopefully they will keep grinding along bit by bit until someday we get where we want to go.

♥

[nanila]

It makes me think that we need to DESTROY SOCIETY and REBUILD IT FROM THE GROUND UP.

The news from the past week - in which the current government apparently plans to make things even harder for poor people by taking away their benefits and not letting them marry non-EU citizens unless they wish to give up their UK residency - is making me think you are right.

[surexit]

Oh God, I haven't heard about the non-EU thing, could you point me towards it?

[nanila]

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<A HREFhttp://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2012/jun/08/immigration-rules-couples-stark-choice?CMP=twt_gu>Here's</A> a link to the Guardian article on the proposals.

[surexit]

Jesus fucking Christ, what a nauseating travesty. Fuck this government.