Seems like a lot of people are very excited about throwing IBJIYONGI [0] under the bus for being outspoken but few are actually interested in reading Nasa's account of the situation [1:2] released in November:

> Based on the available evidence, the agency does not plan to change the name of the James Webb Space Telescope. However, the report illuminates that this period in federal policy – and in American history more broadly – was a dark chapter that does not reflect the agency’s values today. Understanding this history will help to guide NASA in its work to advance full equality for LGBTQI+ Americans, and equal opportunities for LGBTQI+ NASA employees. By sharing these findings, we also hope to promote public understanding of the history of discrimination against LGBTQI+ employees throughout the federal government and strengthen our efforts to confront the barriers that LGBTQI+ Americans continue to face.

It is disappointing that most of the pro-change activists continue to waste their breath arguing semantics instead of letting it go. It must sting for the engineers and scientists working on JWST to see so many non-stakeholders still complaining about the name.

It is more disappointing that so many new members of the conversation seem happiest to tear down and bully the individuals who asked for change. Eternal September, yet again.

[0] If you are trying to decipher the intimidating username, it is explained here: https://medium.com/@chanda/why-i-took-a-break-from-twitter-e...

[1] https://www.nasa.gov/sites/default/files/atoms/files/nasa_hi...

[2] https://www.nasa.gov/feature/nasa-shares-james-webb-history-...

user:	barganzo
created:	December 25, 2022
karma:	44