I’m at a quantum workshop & recruiting event at the University of Chicago theoretically “chaperoning” two students whom the program that I manage is supporting.
But I’m doing a lousy job. Because I’m too upset.
First, the restroom incident this morning started off my day very badly — for the thousandth time at events like this one.
And then, this afternoon, some students protesting for Palestine’s freedom disrupted the event — and I found myself agreeing with the protesters and feeling that I couldn’t put up with the quantum event any more. But the disruption was only temporary, then things continued as if nothing had happened. And, what’s worse, people in our audience acted irritated towards the protesters, some folks even sniggering or complaining.
My job is, officially, to help “build the quantum workforce” and my advisor & I are trying to focus on schools that serve underprivileged populations and students from groups underrepresented in STEM. So, at least on paper, it’s a “good job”, I’m one of the “good guys”.
But am I really?
As I see all these professionals, as I sat there listening to the panelists, despite them having been chosen from groups underrepresented in STEM like BIPOC and women, what I really see is all of us — including the latino and female students I’m accompanying — trying to play by the rules, or get a piece of the cake, of the white cis men in power.
Are we really doing DE&I, are we really trying to make STEM & Quantum more diverse and equitable, or are we just trying to make more people buy into, or play by the rules of, a colonialist capitalistic exploitative power system?
Is it going to be sufficient to bring more women & BIPOC into these companies to change the way things work or are we only perpetuating this colonialist capitalistic oppressive power system in a different way?
The Little Prince and the Fox 