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By Liz Certa Fostering diversity is a commonly cited goals for the tech community, and - let's be honest - the liberal arts are kicking our butts at it. This was not always the case, though; until very recently, the faces of the liberal arts were exclusively white and male. This changed thanks to distinct strategies and deliberate cultural shifts brought about in the late 20th century, some of which the tech community has copied and others we can use more effectively. In this talk, we will explore some of those strategies by examining the education, history, and culture of the liberal arts. Help us caption & translate this video! http://amara.org/v/G6iS/
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In her talk titled "What We Can Learn about Diversity from the Liberal Arts," presented at RailsConf 2015, Liz Certa examines the evolution of diversity within the liberal arts and its implications for the tech industry. Focusing primarily on gender and race, she discusses the historical context of the liberal arts, highlighting shifts that have occurred over the past century and how these can inform efforts to increase diversity in tech. Key Points Discussed: - **Limited Focus on Diversity**: Certa acknowledges her decision to focus on gender and race issues as they pertain to the American context, emphasizing the importance of exploring multiple perspectives. - **The Canon of Literature**: The dominance of white male authors in the literary canon up until the mid-20th century reveals systemic biases within education that have gradually begun to change, particularly in literature. - **Educational Resources**: The lack of diverse representation in coding education tools, such as "Rails for Zombies," is critiqued. Certa highlights that most characters and scenarios presented are predominantly male and white, which does not reflect the diversity desired in the tech community. - **Children's Literature Evolution**: The transformation in children’s literature during the late 20th century to include diverse characters shows a parallel to what is needed in tech education resources. - **Inclusion of Diverse Voices**: Certa stresses the need for the tech industry to recognize and include contributions from underrepresented groups, similar to how the literary community has evolved to incorporate more diverse voices. - **The 'Genius' Myth**: The search for mythical 'genius' professionals in tech can deter women and people of color, pointing to the importance of reframing job postings to attract a broader range of candidates. - **Acknowledgment of Non-Traditional Coders**: Certa encourages the recognition of individuals from various backgrounds who engage in coding yet do not classify themselves as developers, advocating for a more inclusive view of talent in the tech field. In conclusion, Certa's presentation underscores the need for the tech industry to actively work towards a more diverse and inclusive environment. By learning from the strategies implemented in the liberal arts, tech can enhance the representation and integration of diverse voices, fostering an industry that is welcoming to all individuals. Her work is a call to action for creating educational resources and opportunities that reflect the diversity of the society in which we live.
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