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

[alwayswondered]

+1

I would be really glad to see a young woman on a panel about science-related things. Of course I'd be gladder to see more women and more diversity in general but, the current climate being what it is, I would probably walk in expecting to see four ageing white guys. I'd be pleasantly surprised and encouraged to see that it's possible to succeed in the field without 'fitting in'.