Tuesday, February 6, 2007

sex·ism – noun
1. attitudes or behavior based on traditional stereotypes of sexual roles. 
2. discrimination or devaluation based on a person’s sex, as in restricted job opportunities; esp., such discrimination directed against women.   

I thought the DemoCamp presentation I did last night went pretty well, but was a little surprised to see this posting The Boys of DemoCamp Strike Again.  Sandy Kemsley found my scenario where demo-guy John asks demo-gal Jill for a date to be sexist.  Personally, I didn’t see it as discriminatory, nor do I consider dating necessarily a bad traditional behaviour to perpetuate.  After all, where would we be if didn’t occasionally find a mate and breed… extinct!

Nevertheless, as I commented to Sandy in her blog, I’ve worked with hundreds of talented female engineers in my day, and I respect them and wish there were more women in the technology industry. Women often bring different and valuable perspectives to problem solving.  I apologize to Sandy and any other woman in the audience who was offended last night.  No sexism was intended, and I am sensitive to having caused offense.  I will change the demo scenario before I do it again. 

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