[pefloresjr]

Mick,
Of course you can ask the question but I think it is likely that you know that your question about racism "infecting" Stanford is really beside the point.  The point is that inherent bias has been shown to exist in the vast majority of people and also affects the way institutions treat people of different backgrounds and races.  This has historically been to the great detriment of people of color.  There is no evidence or reason to believe that Stanford is immune to these biases.  

It can be difficult to see bias in places like Stanford where people from many diverse backgrounds are given the great opportunity of accessing a high level education.  However, as a minority student, I experienced several instances where people at Stanford initially didn't believe or were surprised that I was a Stanford student.  These mostly happened when I was working or coming from work driving a truck and working in shipping and receiving in the old basement of the bookstore.  The worst of all was when I was wrongly accused of having attempted to defraud Stanford regarding paying tuition when, in fact, I had attempted to pay my tuition several times and they kept refunding my payments.  It was all eventually straightened out but it was clear to me that the benefit of the doubt was always against me until I was able to bring forth overwhelming evidence of their error.  They never believed me even with evidence when I was still in my work clothes.  They finally did believe me when I met with them on a non-work day and wasn't dressed like a Mexican worker who didn't look like a typical Stanford student.  Just one of many lifetime experiences with inherent bias.  

Things don't have to be worse at Stanford for there to be a need to examine and attempt to root out the inherent racism that does still exist at Stanford.  Returning to the basis for this thread, I am glad that diversity was considered in the decision making that went into the heartbreaking outcome of cutting 11 sports.  I don't think it should be the primary factor and it doesn't seem that it was.  However, I think it is a big step forward to even acknowledge that diversity is an important goal.  The same applies to Title IX.  Diversity and rooting out inherent and historical bias helps to improve the educational experience for all.  

Cheers,
Pete F.

[pefloresjr]

Mick,
Of course you can ask the question but I think it is likely that you know that your question about racism "infecting" Stanford is really beside the point.  The point is that inherent bias has been shown to exist in the vast majority of people and also affects the way institutions treat people of different backgrounds and races.  This has historically been to the great detriment of people of color.  There is no evidence or reason to believe that Stanford is immune to these biases.  

It can be difficult to see bias in places like Stanford where people from many diverse backgrounds are given the great opportunity of accessing a high level education.  However, as a minority student, I experienced several instances where people at Stanford initially didn't believe or were surprised that I was a Stanford student.  These mostly happened when I was working or coming from work driving a truck and working in shipping and receiving in the old basement of the bookstore.  The worst of all was when I was wrongly accused of having attempted to defraud Stanford regarding paying tuition when, in fact, I had attempted to pay my tuition several times and they kept refunding my payments.  It was all eventually straightened out but it was clear to me that the benefit of the doubt was always against me until I was able to bring forth overwhelming evidence of their error.  They never believed me even with evidence when I was still in my work clothes.  They finally did believe me when I met with them on a non-work day and wasn't dressed like a Mexican worker who didn't look like a typical Stanford student.  Just one of many lifetime experiences with inherent bias.  

Things don't have to be worse at Stanford for there to be a need to examine and attempt to root out the inherent racism that does still exist at Stanford.  Returning to the basis for this thread, I am glad that diversity was considered in the decision making that went into the heartbreaking outcome of cutting 11 sports.  I don't think it should be the primary factor and it doesn't seem that it was.  However, I think it is a big step forward to even acknowledge that diversity is an important goal.  The same applies to Title IX.  Diversity and rooting out inherent and historical bias helps to improve the educational experience for all.  

Cheers,
Pete F.