[ATMoB-discuss] Re: ATMoB-Science Club for Girls star party

[Scott Romanowski]

At 12:52 AM 2/28/2007, A. Joseph Ross wrote:
>On 27 Feb 2007 at 14:58, Virginia Renehan wrote:
>
> > Even if the event was just for girls (or boys) it should not be
> > misconstrued as discriminatory or exclusive.  That is not the point.
> > We participate in events for many diverse groups.  We should not be
> > fearful of participating in events for all-boys or all-girls clubs,
> > schools, and/or scouting groups. Let's keep our eyes on the astronomy
> > education star here folks. Non-discriminatory education and public
> > outreach is what we're about as a club.
>
>OK, what if it were an event restricted to all Caucasians or all
>African-Americans?  What then?

Some organization can't be co-ed because of facilities issues, like a 
all-girls camping group or an all-boys sports club. Parents frown on 
co-ed sleeping or shower arrangements. ;-) But a science club doesn't 
have those issues so I'd be slightly uncomfortable doing a star party 
at the girls-only science group.

To take Joseph's question even further, what if the organization 
running the event discriminates against group(s) of people and also 
made derogatory remarks about them, like "(group X) cannot be good 
citizens"?  Does "public outreach" trump ethics?


                  Scott

"Would I lay down my life to save my brother? No, but I would to save 
two brothers or eight cousins."
-- J.B.S. Haldane