Re-posting the below, which ended up on the wrong mailing list:
Hi,
I don't know if it's okay if I add my five cents (adjusted for inflation), but I'm reasonably well-read on this and adjacent topics, as well as included in the list of minorities that would be sponsored under the Outreachy program.
But I am unequivocally against such programs, on the simple grounds that it tries to combat discrimination _through_ discrimination, which is about as silly to me as trying to achieve world peace through war. It generates envy/antipathy in individuals from groups that are excluded from the given list of minorities, and it generates imposter syndrome in those who are, because they might only be hired/accepted because of their status as minority, rather than excelling in their skillset.
I would be very against getting involved in this program, though I know that the FSFE currently practises positive discrmination selection standards for its internship program:
We want more women to be involved in Free Software. That's why we will give preference to applications from suitably qualified female candidates.
from https://fsfe.org/contribute/internship.en.html
I'd personally be a little bit disappointed if this carried any significance in my being selected as intern, because I do believe that I can hold my own with my unique skillset.
On Thursday, 31 August 2017 13:43:59 CEST Daniel Pocock wrote:
Increasing diversity could also help avoid situations like this in future.
I don't know if there is any evidence to suggest this. Where there are humans, things sometimes go awry. Having a more ethnically/sexually diverse cast of humans doesn't change that.
Be that as it may, I don't aim to change any hearts or minds. I just wanted to add my couple of cents.
Yours sincerely,