1 in 100 Americans in Prison or Jail

Sumitted by BJS on ScienceBlog, a recent report by the Pew Center, found that a higher ratio of Americans are in jail or prison this year.

Here are some excerpts/main points:

• At the start of 2008, 2,319,258 adults were held in American prisons or jails, or one in every 99.1 men and women, according to the study. During 2007, the prison population rose by more than 25,000 inmates
• 36 states and the Federal Bureau of Prisons saw their prison populations increase in 2007
• While one in 30 men between the ages of 20 and 34 is behind bars, the figure is one in nine for black males in that age group.
• Men are still roughly 13 times more likely to be incarcerated, but the female population is expanding at a far brisker pace.
• For black women in their mid- to late-30s, the incarceration rate also has hit the one-in-100 mark.
• In addition, one in every 53 adults in their 20s is behind bars; the rate for those over 55 is one in 837.
• Last year alone, states spent more than $49 billion on corrections, up from $11 billion 20 years before, a 315 percent jump

At this rate, it'll be cheaper and safer to lock up law-abiding citizens and let the inmates run free. Be sure to read the entire article.

Inferiority Complex of low SES blacks

Today at work – yes, I’m still hanging in there – one of my 2 employees did and said something that really disturbed me.
While completing an assignment - which included proof reading, making some corrections and putting everything in the right format (font, spacing, etc) - he exhaled loudly and complained. He didn’t want to finish the work and exclaimed that “these white people were getting on my nerves. They can do all of that kind of stuff. I can’t do it.” Do what I asked. “All of that specific stuff. White people are better at that stuff.” I asked why. Does being black mean we are any less capable of doing detailed work? “Yes”, he replied. I corrected him. The other co-worker chimed in too. I finished by saying that as long as he had that type of attitude he had counted himself and every other Black person out.
But his remarks aren’t uncommon. Actually, among all of the team members (15 in all), such subtle remarks about black people’s inferiority and white peoples superiority are made often. These young (and not-so-young) Black adults from this crazy poor neighborhood all express in one way or the other that being Black means 2 things.
1) Exempt from meeting standards. e.g. don’t have to be professional; don't have to treat others with respect – namely members from partner agencies and organizations, people in the office building; feel entitled to do whatever and it should be okay - everyone else should just know and understand that we’re black and that means we can be loud, cuss, talk about personal business; not dress appropriately; show up late, etc.

2) Can never achieve true success. e.g. Black people can’t afford to live in lofts or nice homes; people in certain neighborhoods or businesses don’t want us someplace and therefore we should avoid certain things; can never really be promoted or have real authority in a company, successful blacks are tokens or puppets that work at the will of (often lower-ranking) white people, etc.

Crack smoking, ain’t it? That’s why every chance I get I introduce them to successful black people – accoutants, Engineers, COOs, Supervisors, etc., if possible people from their neighborhood or similar neighborhoods. They seem excited to meet a successful black person, ask good questions, and seem inspired. But they still say crazy stuff like this.

Are you being included in the scientific audience?

As an African-American Scientist I often feel like I am straddling the line of two worlds.

1. Black people World (defined as an African-American cultural experience).
Science, in any of its forms, is a non-traditional career path among blacks. Even among educated blacks and young professionals I and other Blacks in science and engineering are looked upon with an odd gaze. "Wow. That's interesting. How did you get into that?" are common replies. Then someone may ask about some hot topic in science. The conversation doesn't usually get deep. But I end up giving quick and dirty lectures about the topic, just enough to accurately inform them but not bore the mess out of them.

2. Science & Academia World (defined by graduate school & research cultural experience).
Black people and Brown people are just not common members of the science academy. So, my presence is often greeted with neutral surprise or excitement. Though I hate the idea of tokenism it does come to that at times. On a good note, all advertisements about African-American Science Fellowships come to me. On a not so good note, I get exhausted from the many request to 'represent' the department at events designed to show our diversity. "Call on someone else", I think; but there isn't anyone else.

So, I often try to blur the lines - Making science careers seem as common as business suits when I'm with black people and making sure the academics know that blacks and browns are viable candidates for research opportunities. But the truth of the matter is that Blacks (and Latinos and Native Americans) are woefully under-represented in science. Perhaps that has something to do with the audiences science news, science media, and science literature targets. Science magazines for example, target middle-class colleged audiences. That's great and fair, but at the same time this just leaves most poor people out of the loop. And from personal experiences, poor people (no matter what color) and Black people just don't seem to bite. It could be due to confusing jargon, talking over people's heads, too much information, boring delivery, snooty lecturers, or the information just isn't relevant. Whatever the reasons, the idea of Defining scientific audiences is an important one to consider if the science community wants a more scientifically literate citizenry.

NCLB = More High School Drop-outs

Here is a link from from Fred Bortz on ScienceBlog No Child Left Behind = More High School Dropouts. I spent some time working at an at-risk high school - "Fair Eastside" it was. This school was pre-occupied with state standardized tests and the kids didn't give a care. The school also had a drop-out rate of about 50%. Crazy. Most educators I know absolutely dislike the focus on testing vs. learning. Reminds me of Haberman's Pedagogy of Poverty. It is real.

Ready to Quit Job, But riding the fence.

I hate my job. Why? My boss is an idiot. But is that enough of a reason to quit one’s job? Reasons I want to quit.
1. I complain about my boss and the professional environment he has created and maintained ALL of the time.
2. I haven’t made any real progress on my dissertation in months. I should have graduated in Dec, now May. And if I don’t get a move on and really focus and bear down, another commencement date could pass me by.
3. I’m an ill-fit within the existing work setting and the rest of the ‘team’.
a. It is illogical – they do things that don’t fit the stated mission or contract or miss deadlines and deliverables and look puzzled when other people/groups look smugly at us. b. It is unprofessional – for example, a subordinate from another team got out of line with me in front of the director, he said nothing and when I said something he implied I was over reactive. I went to HR and did all of the necessary things. Long story short, the behavior and all of the behaviors of the employees (which have been a matter of complaint within and outside of the agencies for years) never registered as problematic to him. So, no-shows, extreme tardiness, threats, fights, thefts, meeting disruptions, and profanity are nothing. Geesh. This guy is thick.
c. The program lacks direction and accomplishment – he’s been directing this program for nearly 10 years and he can’t decide what a standard is or how to enforce standards. He also has NO idea of what happens to people after they matriculate out the program.

Quick note about the job - It is a Social Service Agency. And yes, assume all of the bleeding heart, bad spending thoughts you might associate with a poorly-run welfare program. Among the program’s many objectives, a main one is to help poor African-Americans from this particularly shitty neighborhood in the Agency’s service area transition into mainstream.

Here’s the rub.
1. I really like the fact that I have some opportunity to share my experiences as a once poor Black Kid (from a neighborhood a lot like the one my employees are from) who has gone to college, finished and just about completed doctoral studies. I like the fact that I can introduce them to several successful black people and show them that being Black and/or poor does not limit you.
2. Upper-management has FINALLY registered that something ain’t right with our department. There have been two meetings in a week to deal with this mess. I’ve now been pulled aside in the hall 3 times by the VP and acting CEO to be patient and that things will change. He must KNOW that I am nonplussed and ret’ to go.
3. My employees, albeit rough around the edges, are doing better and seem to be seeing the light (I am biased, I will admit). They have come up with some exceptional ideas that would be perfect deliverables for the program. Things aren’t going as fast as I would like, but the motivational hurdle seems to have been lowered. Part of me really hates to leave them hanging. Because the Director and the other supervisor lacks the technical skills to help them get it done (both are idiots) and lack the professional inclination to care about doing a job thoroughly and well – or wouldn’t know if something was done thoroughly and well unless someone told them. –Okay, is it obvious I have no respect from my team members? Is that another reason to leave a job? You have no respect for boss or colleagues. They are all ….what? I can’t bring myself to insult sheep or Neanderthals, but you get my drift.
4. I have really great health insurance. Perhaps I can buy in for the next 4-6 months, just enough to get me to September when I can take another job – in academia more than likely.

Finally, here is my question. Have I been in the lofty, padded-walls halls of the Ivory Tower so long that I am sure I don’t know what a realistic job environment is like? Considering that I am a scientist – so I have some work options available to me in academia and government institutions – is this work environment typical or can I leave this job knowing that leave non-sense behind as well?

Thanks for your listening ear.

Science Blogging and the AfroSphere

Over MLK 2008 weekend there was a science blogging conference: NC Science Blogging Conference. There were many panels including one on Gender and Race in science. An over view/transcript of the panel can be read at Christina's Library Rant.
This conference, in its second year is a lot like the upcoming Blogging While Brown Conference in its aim and intentions. I couldn't make it to the Science Blogging Conference and likely won't attend the Blogging While Conference this summer. So I am very happy that recaps were posted on blogsites.

Check out some revelations on this topic - Science Blogging.
2008 North Carolina Science Blogging Conference
Science Cafe: Public Understanding of Science
Gender and Race in Science Blogging panel at the NC Science Blogging Conference

Okay, I think it is important to infuse more science info into the melinated blog universe. I know we have all have alot to say and surely it includes more than politics, social commentary, and entertainment/celebrity gossip.

Wanted: NSF Engineering Program Director for Diversity

My Engineering references can be light at times, I'll admit. But here's an opportunity to make Black History!
The National Science Foundation is announcing an opening for a special job in Engineering: Program Director for Diversity for Engineering.
Check out the announcement: here