(Viewed 3,009 times)

[stargazer]

OK Guys,

I dont normally complain about this but last night I think put the icing on the cake.

I went to a Star Party and before it even started the one gentelman who brought the only scope was very snobish about me being there. I was the only female and decided not to look through his scope. I was having fun just laying on the ground just looking up at the stars by myself. When he heard I was giving part of the presentation he was like Why is she giving it.

Now I know this field is very male dominated but men dont have to be ******** about a female being involved. Because of this I blew the whole presentation. I was so angry that the 2 1/2 hour ride home was stressfull on me and I almost gave up Astronomy. I didnt even want to look at the cannon which is now on the front porch. My normal pride and joy just made me feel sadder.

I really hate how men can be SO CRUEL to a lady who loves this field just as much as them if not more so.

Ok now that is off my chest if any of you males in this great group has anything to say about it please voice your thoughts. I am courious to k ow how you all feel about the way men treat women in Astronomy.

B

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Beck's,

First of all...this person is a creep who just happens to be in the astronomy field. He is bad news during the day, and in order to feel better about himself, he must put down others.

I have had my fill of these morons in every field I have been in. Even in this forum, I get a note every once in a great while so filled with bitterness, resentment and anger...that at times I have to reflect on the cause and origin of the content.

Example:

Don't you people ever leave the confines of the nutsty city and camp
in
the country. You are adults and have never seen a sky littered with
thousands of stars making constellations hard to define and have never
seen the Milky Way? I suppose $60 is too much to spend for a weekend
at
Astrofest. You, Joe, have never seen Neptune before last month's Sky
Watch or the sun in hydrogen alpha muchless Andromeda or the Milky Way
and claim to be an astronomer of public importance, (or is it
impotence). You tell me to get a computer so I can post on your forum
and when I have access to one you delete my messages and intentionally
prevent me from attending the star party because I'm too
controversial.
What amazing logic you have. Was anyone at the star party Mensa
material? I pitty you and your oblique and pitiful bureaucratic
society
brainwashed mind. You don't and can't fool me. It's not easy being
green.

I have kept the author hidden, but I share this with you all, as disturbed and unbalanced minds just look for a opportunity to vomit hate and anger at anyone convenient. It doesn't bother me, but I do wonder where the mindset if the person is.

I quite expect this same attitude when I go to start parties. I made comment about this in a post here about "Astronomer Attitudes" already sometime ago. What made our Chicago Astronomer Star Party so cool that this element of suspicion and know-it-all mentality did not travel along with us. We had instead a great, pleasant and enjoyable session together. Starbux made a great comment about how this field attracts the loner and solitude person...who really didn't develop interpersonal skills. This person you encountered lives under a rock....leave him there...you are there for the person who relishes to know and share more, regardless of the source.

You did not seek this morons permission, sanction or approval when you first entered astronomy, built your cannon or brought pleasure to countless kids and adults in the past...so why let his ignorant attitude affect you now? It's gone, and like bad trash, tossed into the heap of refuse.

So Beck's, let the bad sentiment go. The moron did his deed for a few moments yesterday, but he would be glad to know that it's still doing it's job on you now. Prepare yourself for the next encounter, already armed with the knowledge that he is not on your cheering squad. Maybe even give him a kudo or two next time, as this will disarm him and take him by surprize and shows other people that you are bigger than he is. It doesn't cost anything and may even smooth things out a tad.

So drag out your 10" again and look for that new supernova that appeared during the summer. Astronomy is bigger than any ignorant comment.

[stargazer]

Joe,

Thanks for the encouranging words. I do feel better about Astronomy and WILL NOT give up. I also just found out that he ia a new member of NSA and he is about to get a huge suprize come the 29th. He said he was going to the next meeting. Well now not to toot my own horn but I should be recieving two yes two certs that night. So Joe excuse my french but he can just kiss my *** and shove it where the sun dont shine. I have 170 kids looking foward to seeing me on Wed and maybe another 300 more just after the first of the year.

So people look out here I come to teach you Astronomy and help you start out in this wonderful hobby.

I AM WOMEN HEAR ME ROAR!!!!! If you dont like it then get out of my way cause Im here to stay. My 10" will see more stars and who knows maybe a Asteroid or two. Maybe I'll find one with it and show him just where to go, and besides he only had a small telescope. not that I have anything against them. Sorry Brian not meant towards you and your scope. Or for that matter any small scope in this group.

Soplease excuse my rant and my being upset I was just very hurt by this indivual who has such a stubborn mind and dosent think females shouldnt be in this field.

B

[Al Degutis]

Becky,

As Joe pointed out, you'll always encounter the ignorant male that feels threatened by you and your accomplishments. If they weren't threatened by you they'd just ignore you. They try to put you down to make themselves feel better. The problem is them and their mindset. The have a closed mind and are lacking self-esteem. They are envious. Whenever you get that treatment at a star party just remember, you have so much to offer the community. Keep up the great work!

[Chicago Astronomer - Astro Joe]

Beck's,

Lemmie know when the next gathering is, if I am free, I'll go along with you and Bill and act as a buffer...and it will let me size this guy up as well and evaluate.

I figure he is of no consequence in any of your endevours, and just something to be brushed off. I have always taught my students in the academy, it's not the offender that talks smack, throws his size around and puts on a bravado act that one has to watch out for, as those individuals are dismissed quite easily. It's the quiet, smaller ones that are dangerous...(like me... .

The Chicago Astronomers look out for their own.

[stargazer]

Hey Joe and Al,

Thanks so much. You both are right. I have told Bill we are done with NSA and I will continue my work with CLASS. o Joe if you want to come along with me to any star parties just say the word and you can be a rep of CLASS. Al if you also want to come along you to are welcome.

Thanks again guys

B

[NatureDevil]

Wow, did I miss a lot today.

Ignorant people are everywhere, and in every field. You'd be amazed how many of them I get in my area of music.

Listening to you talk about asteroids the other night blew me away. Not just because of the myriad of knowledge that came typhooning its way towards me, but mostly due to your enthusiasm and passion towards it.

And what happened to this astronmer person...uh...we shall call him "Monkey" for now. He added to your passion. After making comments here and their and occassionally ranting in the forums about this and that over the past few weeks, Monkey was able to get you fired up enough to not only unleash here, with friends, but also to get you even more motivated in the long run.

Today you started by ranting about how he almost made you give up your passion, and as evening is upon us, you've now stated your excitement in showing up to recieve your 2 new certifications at the NSA in front of him. That is the way to go. Monkey ain't got nuthin' on ya.

You don't need to get in his face or declare anything to him, actions speak louder than words. I personally have wanted to say and do so many things to so many people in the last several years, but I put it all away and used that aggression in the creation of my album. It will speak for itself when it is ready, just as your degree will speak for itself when you are ready.

Or if you want, I can just beat him up and throw him in the Chicago River. Whatever you want.

Let us know how the NSA meeting goes. Ciao.

NatureDevil

[stargazer]

Hi Brian,

Iam glad you can learn something from me. You to Al. Yes I have a passion for Astronomy and love to share my knowledge with anyone who wants to listen. I guess it all came down to this "Monkey" didnt know who I was and had the nerve to say what he did. If you ever want toask any questions just ask away. I shall not give up. It just hurt. But I have friends like you guys that keep me going and Bill is a big help. I also have a good friend in Texas that is trying to get me to move down there and work with him. He is helping me with CLASS and with the NSN, he is going to try to help me keep getting the kits as I am leaving NSA andwill still be a part of CLASS and will need the kits for them.

So thanks to all of you for standing behind me and helping me out get through this BS with this jerk.

If you ever need any help just ask. Any questions please ask.

Thanks again guys
B

[sarwat]

Hello Becky,

We all (and more importantly, you) know about your dedication and knowledge. I once tried to understand the trajectory of an asteroid, and my mind was wobbling harder than toutatis. I am actually a little scared of you; knowing your area of interest!

If I were you, I would be laughing rather than be disturbed.

Sarwat

[stargazer]

Sarwat,

Please dont be afriad of me. Why are you afraid of me? I am just a Astronomer who has a passion for Astronomy and is interested in Asteroids. I have always thought they were interesting and thought I would study them alittle more and then was given the chance to do some research on them and took it. I know some Astronomers pick a certain field of research and I thought that not to many people are actually doing it so why not. It was there and sounded like fun. I didnt pick it to make people afraid of me or to hate me for what I am doing. I enjoy it and am hoping to find an Asteroid. JUst think If I do find one you all can say you know a famous Asteroid Hunter. lol ;D

B

[sarwat]

stargazer said:

Sarwat,

Please dont be afriad of me. Why are you afraid of me? I am just a Astronomer who has a passion for Astronomy and is interested in Asteroids. I have always thought they were interesting and thought I would study them alittle more and then was given the chance to do some research on them and took it. I know some Astronomers pick a certain field of research and I thought that not to many people are actually doing it so why not. It was there and sounded like fun. I didnt pick it to make people afraid of me or to hate me for what I am doing. I enjoy it and am hoping to find an Asteroid. JUst think If I do find one you all can say you know a famous Asteroid Hunter. lol ;D

B

wrong choice of word; by "scared" I meant "rather impressed"

[dewayne]

It's unfortunate that happened.
Believe me in my profession I deal with a lot of a**holes evry day.
You just have to learn to let it roll off your back. Otherwise you let them win.
In the PAS we have only two really active females.
That is unfortunate.
More ladies, I'm sure, could add a lot.
I don't understand why more women aren't involved in astronomy.
We have lots of women come out to the observatory during our public sessions. They have loads of fun, and often ask the best questions.
The only thing I can figure is maybe most women are nervous about being involved in a hobby that is male dominated and involves being in out-of-the-way locations in pitch black.
Whatever it is I would like to see more woman and more teens involved.
On a lighter note astronomy, where it is pitch black, the ladies would not be subjected to seeing us men scratching ourselves.

[stargazer]

Ok GUys,

I am not posting this to brag or to toot my horn. But I wanted you all to know that even though I was VERY upset that this jerk said what he did, and granted he dont know what all I have done for NSA or just for myself. Now to tell you what all I have done and am doing at the current time in my life.

I have two AL certs here two more due this weekend or the beginning of next week. I have taken two Astronomy Courses one is almost done. I am working on my final project for that one searching for Asteroid and doing Asteroid Research. For two weeks each month I am online doing the Research, Writting a research paper on NEO's. Doing Star Parties each month, Even recieved an email from Texas from a lady who wanted me to do a Star Party for her. Am working with a brand new Astronomy Club at a local High School. Have three teachers that want me to come in a do a presentation for them plus three boy scouts clubs that want me to come and do the same for them. Started a chapter of C.L.A.S.S here in Ill.

Thats just part of it. Now with all this going on you tell me if I shouldnt be doing this. And to think if this jerk knew all this he would change his tune. He dont know me. If it wasnt fror me NSA would NOT be doing the Night Sky Network.

Ok now that I said all that I am done. I will contunie my Research and hope I find that elusive Asteroid. Enjoy my hobby and bring Astronomy to the Masses.

Becky

[NatureDevil]

(raises a wine glass)

I'll drink to that.

I'll drink to most anything, but that in particular. Congrats on the certifications and on the classes. I am getting my butt kicked in my last 2 classes, but I will survive and defeat them, and although the process is long and hard, I am well unmderway in developement of my album. Jay is in the final mixes of his too (I play bass on his, so I have an invested interest in it as well).

Here is to all of our successes this year, and to many more next year (gulp)......

NatureDevil