BNN: Pool Color, Massachusetts Sues, Google Chrome OS
And now for the fourth episode of Been there, Now here, Never imagined! I always keep my eyes peeled for interesting issues regarding identity. America is constantly battling an identity crisis, so I don’t have to wait very long until some stories pop up. The three identities for this post are: the racist, the gay, and the techie.
As a reminder, the goal of BNN is to: isolate three identity issues that are happening right now and place them in either the B, N, or N. In 25 years, I feel like I grew up learning a very specific social code (Been there!), I am now learning an alternative to that code (Now here!), yet I will never experience another kind of code (Never imagined!).
Been there: Black kids are told to get out of the pool.
The Valley Swim Club of Philadelphia told the kids of Creative Steps Day Camp that they couldn’t swim in their pool. The kids are black. The club is white. The quote of quotes comes from John Duesler, President of The Valley Swim Club: “There was concern that a lot of kids would change the complexion … and the atmosphere of the club”.
Oh boy. I don’t know if this situation can even count as Been there because I’ve never been there—I’ve only watched movies that depicted such racism like, in the scene of a 1940’s country club. Perhaps I’ve finally come full circle to Never imagined.
Now here: Massachusetts sues America for discriminating against gay marriage.
According to Reuters, “Massachusetts sued the U.S. government on Wednesday to seek federal marriage benefits for about 16,000 gay and lesbian couples who have wed since the state became the nation’s first to legalize same-sex marriage”.
As one of the most progressive states in the country, Massachusetts is upholding its identity by taking this action. Gay marriage is a timely issue that is an international conversation. This moment in history is devoted to redefining the identity of gay-American citizens with that of equal rights.
Never imagined: Google ignites the imagination with Chrome Operating System.
In what is difficult to explain, not only from me as an intermediate computer-person, but to anyone who is less knowledgeable than me, a big thing happened today. Google announced that they will be releasing an operating system. I think it’s similar to saying, “Oh, by the way, New York City taxi cabs will now come in blue, too”.
I grew up using Windows. If Google Chrome OS works the way it should, will children grow up saying “chrome” instead of “windows”? I never imagined a day when normal folk like you and me would ever have another option than Windows or Mac. “Hi, I’m a PC.” “And I’m a Mac.” “Omg, and I’m Chrome! Hay Everyone!” I hope they make Chrome kinda gay.
