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1424

Python Foundation rejects $1.5M grant from NSF with "no-DEI" strings (www.theregister.com)

submitted 3 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) by brianpeiris@lemmy.ca to c/technology@lemmy.world

144 comments fedilink hide all child comments

National Science Foundation (NSF) had offered $1.5 million to address structural vulnerabilities in Python and the Python Package Index (PyPI), but the Foundation quickly became dispirited with the terms of the grant it would have to follow.

"These terms included affirming the statement that we 'do not, and will not during the term of this financial assistance award, operate any programs that advance or promote DEI [diversity, equity, and inclusion], or discriminatory equity ideology in violation of Federal anti-discrimination laws,'" Crary noted. "This restriction would apply not only to the security work directly funded by the grant, but to any and all activity of the PSF as a whole."

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[–] Chozo@fedia.io 29 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I feel like you may not understand what DEI actually is. What, precisely, do you think a "DEI hire" is?

[+] pHr34kY@lemmy.world -29 points 2 days ago* (last edited 2 days ago) (1 children)

"DEI hire" has a different definition depending on whether you're talking about design or implementation.

Design: Non-discriminatory hiring practices where race, gender, age, religion and disabilities are overlooked. You get hired purely on your ability to do the job. Appropriate disability supports are given if required.

Implementation: Cheap foreign labour obscured by marketing spin and a calendar of wokewashing. Applicants are hired based on a quota that in no way reflects the talent pool.

[–] Chozo@fedia.io 30 points 2 days ago (2 children)

Neither of those are DEI.

[–] Evil_Shrubbery@thelemmy.club 8 points 2 days ago

Also the "Implementation" part just sounds like what a really shitty company wound do, primarily trying to monetise on "DEI" ... wtf.

[–] Gaja0@lemmy.zip 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

I see his fully fleshed explanation, but I don't see a counter? Not that I have any strong opinion, just curious what DEI actually means.

[–] Chozo@fedia.io 5 points 2 days ago

DEI isn't intended to be "colorblind", it explicitly suggests that employers give consideration to applicants from disparaged demographics, who may have otherwise been ignored during the application process. It doesn't, however, imply hiring quotas; there is no such thing as "a DEI hire".

Many people seem to confuse DEI for Affirmative Action, as evidenced above. This article explains the differences pretty succinctly: https://natlawreview.com/article/dei-diversity-equity-and-inclusion-v-affirmative-action-they-are-not-same

While Affirmative Action is often seen as a legal and policy-driven approach, DEI is more about cultural transformation and ongoing efforts to create a supportive and inclusive workplace. Both are crucial for building a fair and equitable society, but they operate on different levels and address different aspects of inequality. DEI initiatives, though can impact hiring, focus on the workplace and people in it. The intent is to embrace the collective, minimize bias and treat others in a respectful and understanding manner.