I cannot address the color issue — because I hope hope hope that it is NOT an issue………if it is, than shame on us.

But I would like to address the other issue of just common courtesy and openness.

I have been to DEN events and though I was welcomed in….I still felt as an outsider who though I was invited to the party, I was not a part of the party. And I think that that had nothing to do with DEN as a company, but DEN as a group of friends. They are welcoming, VERY welcoming to newbies….but there are still those who are very comfy with each other. And in time, you will have that comfortableness too — I promise. And the good thing is, because you are aware of this issue, you will notice others who might be affected by it as well in the future.

As for NECC, well I am unsure where you went, but in general the people are quite nice, but also very self-centered. I remember being a one NECC and was in the center of a row with 2 people talking over me, and finally asked me if I would leave so they could continue their talk. Though I understood they had not seen each other in a while, I will never forget how dismissed I felt. And to this day, I have lot a great deal of respect for the one who asked me to please leave.

It does happen to us all — unfortunately.

Hopefully our paths will cross at NECC 2009. I would love to shake your hand and say “Hello!”

Jen

“Never start off with I am going to teach about Harriet Tubman. Start off with I am going to teach about courage. Never start off with I am going to teach them how to write a letter to the President. Start off with I will empower them to make change. ”

That statement in itself is a mouthful, and inspiring. I would love to quote you when I speak to some of my teachers this year. Thank you so much for that!

Make sure that you teach a hidden curriculum. Take a look at the school curriculum for your class and create a curriculum that stands up behind it. Never start off with I am going to teach about Harriet Tubman. Start off with I am going to teach about courage. Never start off with I am going to teach them how to write a letter to the President. Start off with I will empower them to make change. Most importantly, stop calling your class by its name-Soc Stud, Math, Sci, Eng, whatever-call it life. I teach life. I use the social studies to do it. Kids will remember life skills, they won’t remember social studies skills.
I don’t know if this video fits…http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SPHp0lbRFpA

This was also my first year attending NECC and I had some of the same feelings that you had. I am white and I was sometimes treated the same way. Many of the people that I saw at NECC I know through my PLN, reading educational blogs & articles, and other educational organizations. But I only know them virtually. I was excited to see many of these people in person, but I didn’t meet all of them. Some were friendly, some were not. Even in the exhibit hall, many folks wanting freebies were eager to step right over or in front of me to get a pen or a pad of paper!! At a conference the size of NECC, it is easy to get lost in the shuffle.

Attending conferences and putting yourself out there takes time and effort. So get involved, take initiative, and be confident!

Is the divide due to a reason deeper than a socio-economic one?

Not to sound snide or rhetorical, because I don’t really expect an answer to that, but the initial question addresses race, not socio-economics, which seems pretty broad. I don’t dare to delve into statistics pertaining to why it seems that certain racial groups are “left out” of the tech field as a whole, be it skin color and/or socio-economic reasons; such a topic would necessitate extensive research…
I do, however, believe that race is definitely the predicate for any other reason(s).

Question: Is the divide or imbalance with technology an socio-economic one?