Black Scientist: Push to Colonize Mars is Racist

Pundit Press ^ | 4/17/15 | Aurelius

[rightistight]

Dr. Danielle N. Lee, who writes for the Scientific American blog network and calls herself "the Urban Scientist," believes that the push to visit Mars and eventually inhabit it is "white colonialism."

Dr. Lee expressed her concerns in both the Scientific American blog and on Twitter. Writing in Scientific American in an article titled, "When discussing Humanity’s next move to space, the language we use matters," Dr. Lee discusses Elon Musk's push to inhabit Mars some day.

She is very critical of Musk, saying that his language is not inclusive enough to either women and minorities. "Diversity, Inclusion, Access and Ethics should be a critical part of these conversations about space science, discovery, exploration, and yes eventual travel and emigration," she writes. "And when we look around and see a homogenous [sic] group of individuals discussing these issues – issues that command insane budgets, we should pause."

On Twitter, she was much more forward, writing:

Keep in mind, Musk never said that space colonization was for only whites. In fact, he never mentioned race once. The only reference to people by Musk in Dr. Lee's article was when Musk said that "humans" must get excited to explore space.

No matter, Dr. Lee has more to say about his ideas:

[SauronOfMordor]

The phrase “command insane budgets” is a clue. She is against any government program which does not primarily benefit people who “look like her”.

[JoeFromSidney]

I have a novel coming out (I hope some time this year) about the first manned expedition to Mars. Four men, two women. Among the men, one Black, one Hispanic (I put him in because his origin in New Mexico is important to the story). One of the women is half-Chinese, again because it matters to the story. In the story, all but the Commander are still young but are picked because they are among the tops in their scientific field. The Commander is a former test pilot. No one picked to fill a demographic "check the block." Not sure yet about the publishing schedule.

I think the person complaining about colonizing the planets is a nut.

[Oztrich Boy]

OK when did Kim Jong Un become a black woman?

[SunkenCiv]

Quasi-literate racist pollutes Scientific American and the academic community. Extra to APoD.

[cripplecreek]

[Gamecock]

I guess it would be OK if Zaire had a space program.

[Mike Darancette]

It is Scientific American after all.