7 chapters across the catalog
NPR Interview, Dr. Francis Collins on "Manels" in Science
Dr. Francis Collins appeared on NPR to discuss his refusal to participate in all-male speaking panels, which he referred to as "manels." He argued that implicit bias in the scientific community leads to the exclusion of women and diverse researchers from workshops and symposia. Collins vowed to boycott events that do not fairly represent the diverse scientific workforce.
The University of Tennessee and Harvard University have introduced guidelines for using gender-neutral pronouns such as "ze" and "xeer." The discussion critiques the rise of "Vice Chancellors of Diversity" and the potential impact on campus culture.
University of Tennessee Gender-Neutral Pronoun Guide
The University of Tennessee, Knoxville's Pride Center released a guide requesting that faculty and students use gender-neutral pronouns such as "ze," "hir," and "xe." The guide encourages professors to ask students for their preferred pronouns during roll call to create a more inclusive environment for non-binary individuals. The initiative has sparked debate regarding the etymology of these terms and the role of diversity scholarship in academia.
Gender Diversity Training, Binary Language Interrogation
The school guidelines further instruct teachers to "interrogate" binary gender references and use them as "teachable moments." Teachers are encouraged to share personal anecdotes about their own evolving understanding of gender and to avoid using the word "normal" to define behaviors.
Google Doodle Inequality, Spark Activism
The activist group Spark released a report criticizing Google Doodles for under-representing women and non-white historical figures. The group's petition demands more diversity in the illustrations, suggesting figures like Josephine Baker and Kalpana Chawla for future tributes.
My Princess Boy, Child Exploitation and Anti-Bullying Campaigns
Cheryl Kilodavis, author of "My Princess Boy," has turned her son's preference for wearing dresses into a lucrative speaking and consulting career. The hosts criticize the mother for exploiting the child on national television to promote her book and workshops. They argue that "anti-bullying" campaigns are often used to redefine criticism as a social crime to manipulate public discourse.
Wikimedia Executive Director Sue Gardner addresses the lack of diversity among Wikipedia editors, noting that 90% are male and the majority are from Western nations. The foundation is reportedly launching initiatives to recruit more women and editors from developing countries to broaden the encyclopedia's perspective and language availability.
