Asks Quote by Sally Ride
“Suppose you came across a woman lying on the street with an elephant sitting on her chest. You notice she is short of breath. Shortness of breath can be a symptom of heart problems. In her case, the much more likely cause is the elephant on her chest. For a long time, society put obstacles in the way of women who wanted to enter the sciences. That is the elephant. Until the playing field has veen leveled and lingering stereotypes are gone, you can't even ask the question.”
About This Quote
Obstacles that hide systemic bias are often obvious when examined closely; removing them requires deliberate effort.
In simple terms: Hidden biases block progress; remove them deliberately.
Key Takeaway
Identify and dismantle systemic barriers.
Themes
gender bias
science
obstacles
Mood
critical
encouraging
Type
activist
educational
When to use this quote
- STEM education
- policy reform
- mentorship programs
Key Concepts
systemic inequality
social justice
Questions to Reflect On
- What “elephants” exist in your field?
- How can you help level the playing field?
A Different Perspective
Change may be slow and face resistance.
