Separating Race from Technology: Finding Tomorrow's IT Progress in the Past

Abstract

Part of the Volume on Learning Race and Ethnicity: Youth and Digital Media Despite billions of dollars spent on school acquisition of digital technology infrastructure, students of color still do not utilize opportunities in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) in great numbers. Against the backdrop of the stagnating numbers of American students pursuing scientific and technical careers, the author raises pertinent questions: a) what intrinsic value has technology added to critical technology pedagogy for students of color; b) why are these students failing to grasp the relevancy of STEM opportunities; and c) why should we as a country care? Using narratives of black and brown technology innovators and professionals, the author illustrates his argument that to connect with students of color, we must look to past achievements of minority innovators obscured by history, and use modern-day technology leaders to help students of color shape their relationship to science and technology and move beyond the Digital Divide