Diverse thoughts on diversity in physics

Shirley Malcom’s article begins by assuming that the US physics community should reflect the diversity of our nation. This assumption is not self-evident. To my knowledge, no one is excluded from studying physics.

I believe that physics could be better taught in primary and secondary schools, but that is not a problem of race or gender. My children attended public schools in the Maryland suburbs of Washington, DC, and their classes were predominantly white and middle class. But the high-school physics teacher was pathetic.

Malcom’s article does say that 65% of undergraduates are female or “underrepresented minorities.” If we apply her argument that the low percentage of underrepresented minorities is undesirable on its face, we should be selectively encouraging white males to go to college.

I believe the problems with our school system include teachers who are certified without being trained in the subjects they teach and curricula that do not require all students to study science, real literature, and other fundamental elements of literacy.