Diversity in Brief - June 18 Edition
Rodney King found dead in his home on Sunday; same-sex marriage opponents ask businesses to stay neutral on the issue and more.
Rodney King, 47, Found Dead in His Home
Rodney King, whose 1991 beating by the Los Angeles police set off a chain of unprecedented events that changed America's view of race relations, was found dead Sunday in a swimming pool at his home. Police say there has been no evidence of foul play. King was 47.
King's beating was captured on videotape, but the officers involved were acquitted, setting off city riots the next year. Following those events, King became a symbol of civil rights and anti-police brutality while the LAPD underwent a large reform in an effort to combat allegations of corruption and racial profiling.
Same-Sex Marriage Opponents Ask Businesses to Stay Neutral
Several groups opposed to same-sex marriage have written a letter to Minnesota businesses asking them to stay "neutral" on the topic as voters prepare to head to the polls in November to decide whether to retain the state constitutional amendment banning same-sex unions. The letter comes after corporations, such as J.C. Penney and Target, have publicly come out in support of gay rights.
Read more here.
Study: More Hispanic Youths Have Diabetes
The number of Hispanic young people diagnosed with diabetes is growing at a faster rate than that of any other ethnic group, according to a study by research affiliates of the American Diabetes Association. The study found that diagnosis for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes has grown faster among Hispanic youth under 20, while one in 10 Hispanics over 20 have diabetes.
Read more here.
Study Examines Reasons for Gender Gap in STEM Fields
Believing the stereotypes that you are innately good or bad at something may, in fact, affect your ability to do it, according to a study published in Psychological Science, which sought to find if there was a scientific reason for the large gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The study found that a preexisting belief in gender roles and abilities may actually influence a child's ability to perform a difficult task.
Read more here.
Does Race Play Into Sleep Quality?
The amount of sleep you get may be related to set expectations within your racial or ethnic group, according to two studies presented last week. The first study found that Americans born in the U.S. reported longer sleeping times than the recommended seven to nine hours a night. The second found that white participants tended to sleep the longest out of all racial groups, while blacks had the worst sleep quality, and Asians reported the most daytime sleepiness.
Read more here.
Rodney King, 47, Found Dead in His Home
Rodney King, whose 1991 beating by the Los Angeles police set off a chain of unprecedented events that changed America's view of race relations, was found dead Sunday in a swimming pool at his home. Police say there has been no evidence of foul play. King was 47.
King's beating was captured on videotape, but the officers involved were acquitted, setting off city riots the next year. Following those events, King became a symbol of civil rights and anti-police brutality while the LAPD underwent a large reform in an effort to combat allegations of corruption and racial profiling.
Same-Sex Marriage Opponents Ask Businesses to Stay Neutral
Several groups opposed to same-sex marriage have written a letter to Minnesota businesses asking them to stay "neutral" on the topic as voters prepare to head to the polls in November to decide whether to retain the state constitutional amendment banning same-sex unions. The letter comes after corporations, such as J.C. Penney and Target, have publicly come out in support of gay rights.
Read more here.
Study: More Hispanic Youths Have Diabetes
The number of Hispanic young people diagnosed with diabetes is growing at a faster rate than that of any other ethnic group, according to a study by research affiliates of the American Diabetes Association. The study found that diagnosis for both type 1 and type 2 diabetes has grown faster among Hispanic youth under 20, while one in 10 Hispanics over 20 have diabetes.
Read more here.
Study Examines Reasons for Gender Gap in STEM Fields
Believing the stereotypes that you are innately good or bad at something may, in fact, affect your ability to do it, according to a study published in Psychological Science, which sought to find if there was a scientific reason for the large gender gap in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. The study found that a preexisting belief in gender roles and abilities may actually influence a child's ability to perform a difficult task.
Read more here.
Does Race Play Into Sleep Quality?
The amount of sleep you get may be related to set expectations within your racial or ethnic group, according to two studies presented last week. The first study found that Americans born in the U.S. reported longer sleeping times than the recommended seven to nine hours a night. The second found that white participants tended to sleep the longest out of all racial groups, while blacks had the worst sleep quality, and Asians reported the most daytime sleepiness.
Read more here.