The main problem is "not haters". Black applying to STEM programs get preferential treatment at most schools. As an example, their average MCAT and GPAs are substantially below whites and Asians.
Meanwhile, if racism were the issue, how do you explain using med schools as an example, that whites are slightly underrepresented, and Asians have three times the representations that demographics would suggest. Are white people discriminating against themselves? Sounds silly on its face because it is...
Let's try looking for a more honest reason that blacks are not pursuing STEM other than racism, since that line of thought won't produce any results. I think it is fair to assume that intelligence is not the holding them back. Here is an AI generated synopsis of Thomas Sowell's perspective. Having spent a lifetime studying this issue, I think his perspective is a good starting point... what do you agree and disagree with in the summary below... none of the following words in quotes are my words...
"Thomas Sowell, a prominent black conservative economist and social theorist, has written extensively on various topics, including education and culture. Let’s delve into his perspective on black students in higher education and their representation in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) majors.
In the United States, black education at the college level expanded rapidly during the 1960s. By 1970, the number of black students attending college had more than doubled. However, the social composition and institutional destinations of these students changed drastically. While predominantly Negro colleges and universities were once the norm for black students, predominantly white institutions began seeking not only students but also lower-class black students. Consequently, an increasing majority of black students started attending white institutions of higher learning1.
This shift led to several challenges. First, the leading colleges and universities faced special pressure to increase their minority enrollment. Government and foundation grants were disproportionately channeled into these institutions, even though the academic preparation of most black students was inadequate to meet their usual standards. In other words, a demand was created for black students at precisely those institutions least suited to their preparation1.
Furthermore, the income levels of many black students dictated that they seek schools with large scholarship funds, often leading them to institutions at the top in terms of research prestige and academic prerequisites. However, this mismatching of individuals with institutions resulted in a widespread problem of “underprepared” black students across various levels of education1. While some schools rapidly increased their enrollments of black students, these were often institutions where the great majority of white American students could not qualify1.
Sowell’s analysis highlights the complexities of educational access, preparation, and institutional fit for black students pursuing STEM majors and other fields. It underscores the need for a nuanced approach to addressing disparities and ensuring equitable opportunities for all students, regardless of their racial or ethnic backgrounds."
Me again... interesting perspective.
But I think there is more to the problem, than blacks being unprepared for the reason Sowell says... A survey of blacks suggests the reason is circular, because so few role models of successful blacks are household names in the fields of STEM, blacks tend not to choose STEM.
https://www.pewresearch.org/science/2022/04/07/black-americans-views-of-education-and-professional-opportunities-in-science-technology-engineering-and-math/
My daughters are half white and half Asian and as children, I subjected to them to movies about successful women including black women. One their favorite movies was Hidden Figures, which highlighted both the misogyny and racism of the early NASA program and how three black women overcame it.
Did it work... the oldest girl is a med tech, the second oldest girl is getting her doctorate in Nurse Anesthesia, the third oldest girl is in medical school, and the youngest daughter is graduating this Spring with a major in Information Services and a minor in math. I might have overdone it, or I could blame my Chinese wife.
Why do I care? Because five of my seven grandchildren are black and two of them are girls. I worry about one of them, who shows no interest in school, but the other four have amazing grades, my one granddaughter has a 3.9 out of 4 GPA and began taking STEM courses at college over the summer when she turned 13.
Let's encourage as much as possible black children to consider futures in STEM and try to address the barriers that prevent them from realizing those dreams... I don't think racism is one of them... I think dreaming big is one, making sure they have the financial resources to pursue those dreams, and giving them access to a good primary and secondary school education are the bigger issues for poor black children.
