Growing up in Hampton, the face of science was brown like mine.
Interpretation
Margot Lee Shetterly reflects on her experience of seeing diverse representation in the field of science during her upbringing.
In this quote, Margot Lee Shetterly emphasizes the importance of representation in the sciences, particularly for people of color. Growing up in Hampton, she was surrounded by scientists who looked like her, which played a crucial role in shaping her identity and encouraging her aspirations in a field where diversity has often been lacking. This statement affirms that seeing oneself represented can inspire individuals to pursue careers in fields they may have thought were inaccessible to them.
In practice
In a speech addressing young students, this quote can inspire them to pursue careers in STEM fields.
A lot of times, we talk about black people as if being black is all they are. They get up, go to work... and are as complex and interesting and variable as any other group of people. We don't often capture that or write about it.
I feel like, in a lot of ways, 'Hidden Figures' is the book that I wrote and have been waiting to read since I learned to read.
For too long, history has imposed a binary condition on its black citizens: either nameless or renowned, menial or exceptional, passive recipients of the forces of history or superheroes who acquire mythic status not just because of their deeds but because of their scarcity.
It is hard to think of practical applications of the black hole. Because practical applications are so remote, many people assume we should not be interested. But this quest to understand the world is what defines us as human beings.
The most important tool of the theoretical physicist is his wastebasket.
Civilization as it is known today could not have evolved, nor can it survive, without an adequate food supply.
Quantum mechanics broke the mold of the previous framework, classical mechanics, by establishing that the predictions of science are necessarily probabilistic.
If you equate the probability of the birth of a bacteria cell to chance assembly of its atoms, eternity will not suffice to produce one Faced with the enormous sum of lucky draws behind the success of the evolutionary game, one may legitimately wonder to what extent this success is actually written into the fabric of the universe.
The Soyuz craft weighs tons, and you're lying on the floor of it on your back. But the Russians do tell you, remember, before you land, stop talking so you don't bite your tongue off.
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