"Temporary" Venting Thread V

[tolkienfan]

I don't mean inequality in education so much, but in job, grant, and fellowship opportunities, salary, invitations to speak at conferences, offers of tenure, etc.

There are so many facets to this that I don't even know where to begin. Organic chemistry has always been a "Gentleman's club" - and success in many fields often has a lot to do with one's connections. Most men don't even realize that they're perpetuating this system - but everyone has a tendency to seek out people like themselves.

Though blatant sexism and racism are less common these days, there has been study after study showing subconscious bias against women and minorities. Even women and minorities have these biases against each other!

I see examples of this in my own life too. An offhand comment by a professor here, an assumption made by a student there... together they start to weigh on one's mind. Not to mention the tendency of the media / PR to avoid making visible the women and minorities who have succeeded. For example: https://twitter.com/omearabrian/stat...825601/photo/1

Someday I'll write an eloquent post filled with links and references. I've started it, but there are just so many issues and examples and personal stories that it's hard. I do believe that we are moving in the right direction, but maybe it's because we've come so far that people don't realize that we haven't made it all the way.