I overall think programs like this are more of a good thing than a bad thing.
I however could see them having negative psychological effects on participants that do more to widen gaps than close them. For instance it gives an impression that black girls need to do programming in a protected separated environment because the environment at large is not safe for them or accepting of them.
I think this might even be true in some cases but regardless I don't think it's beneficial to anyone to promote the idea, and I think it is certainly sending the signal that that is the way things are to these young girls which I think can be self perpetuating.
> it gives an impression that black girls need to do programming in a protected separated environment because the environment at large is not safe for them or accepting of them
That's a pretty accurate impression. And it's not groups like BGC perpetuating that idea, it's the culture at large. We're nowhere near the utopian ideal where black groups are overly cautious about American society.
It's certainly not actively encouraging them to go exist out in the broader ecosystem. Again, I'm not arguing that a black girl of color wouldnt face challenges in that system that others wouldn't. But self segregate at your own risk.
I however could see them having negative psychological effects on participants that do more to widen gaps than close them. For instance it gives an impression that black girls need to do programming in a protected separated environment because the environment at large is not safe for them or accepting of them.
I think this might even be true in some cases but regardless I don't think it's beneficial to anyone to promote the idea, and I think it is certainly sending the signal that that is the way things are to these young girls which I think can be self perpetuating.
I hope I am wrong.