Diversity isn't just for STEM

Ever since I was a young girl, I knew I did not like science, technology, engineering or math (STEM). I preferred reading and writing to math and science. I loved the library, not the lab. I was captivated by stories. I never found math or science particularly fun. When I would complain to my mom about going to these STEM activities, she reminded me that it’s important to try new things before deciding if you like them. Even when I participated in STEM enrichment programs, like Science in the Summer at my local library or Girls Who Code, I was more excited to see the finished product than I was about learning how we got there. 

As I grew older, I noticed that most diversity programs for underrepresented fields seemed to focus solely on STEM. Now that I am at Duke, I feel the trend continues. There’s always a push for Black students to explore STEM. And there is a need for it: only 5% of physicians and 4.2% of computer scientists are Black. In fact,  only 7% of the STEM workforce is Black. I do believe there is a diversity issue within STEM fields and there are systemic barriers in place that make it harder for Black youth to pursue STEM, like how Black students lack exposure to STEM. 

It is much more difficult for a student to pursue a career path if they don’t know it exists. Moreover, some Black students may lack mentors and educational support to guide them in pursuing these careers. However, this can be said about all fields and raises the question: Why are we so focused on STEM? One theory I have is that we may perceive STEM as harder and therefore Black people in STEM are seen as exceptional in some way. Maybe our culture just prioritizes STEM and that’s where our focus lies. 

But regardless, before pushing Black students towards STEM, we should first ask ourselves — is this even something they are interested in? Why does it seem like we have normalized pushing Black youth en masse toward STEM? Everywhere I turn at Duke, I see programs, classes and organizations — sometimes even individual students — fighting to diversify specific fields in engineering and the natural sciences. But what about Black students who just don’t enjoy STEM? Only 5% of lawyers are Black. Black people make up a mere 6% of public school teachers, college professors and reporting journalists. In a nation that is only about 13% Black, it is necessary to remember that diversity has a place in every field. STEM is not the only way to benefit society. Every field has its place and every discipline has the potential to produce something valuable.

We should begin by working with students to identify their strengths and find where they can be most successful. If a young girl loves art, she should be allowed to pursue art, not pushed towards science. If a boy loves to read, he is more suited for the social sciences, not engineering, and that’s okay. When students are gifted in many areas, it’s important to let them choose and emphasize that they don’t have to choose STEM. Almost every industry — from law to education to politics — lacks racial diversity in some way, shape or form. There is room outside of STEM to make a difference.

And that’s what I realized: I was able to discover my passion for writing, history, film and many other non-STEM disciplines, once I finally told my mom I no longer wanted to explore STEM. She listened and let me pursue other interests because to her, STEM wasn’t the only option. But what happens when Black youth are not given the opportunity to explore anything else? With Donald Trump’s current attacks on diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs that have fought to create opportunities for underrepresented populations, diversity is more important than ever. We are at risk of losing these programs altogether. Our generation has the potential to produce great writers, teachers, educators and academics only if the push for diversity extends beyond science, technology, engineering and math.

Diversity is extremely important, but I hope that we as a society realize that it belongs outside the scope of just STEM. When I decided to major in African and African American Studies at Duke, many people did not see the vision I had for myself outside of more traditional pathways. When I declared myself “Anti-STEM”, I’m sure many were even more confused. It took me a lot of exploration and personal reflection to finally figure out what I want to do. It wasn’t engineering or computer science or medicine — it was storytelling through the arts. 

I hope that the Black youth who come after me have the same space to explore and reflect and make the same uninhibited choice for themselves, irrespective of their field. It’s time that we show younger generations that wherever their interests lie, they are valid. As Duke students, we need to remember that readers and writers are just as important as engineers, computer scientists and aspiring doctors. All fields need diversity, not just STEM.