Technology and the Dream: Reflections on the Black Experience at MIT, 1941-1999

This book grew out of the Blacks at MIT History Project, whose mission is to documentthe black presence at MIT. The main body of the text consists of transcripts of more thanseventy-five oral history interviews, in which the interviewees assess their MIT experience andreflect on the role of blacks at MIT and beyond. Although most of the interviewees are present orformer students, black faculty, administrators, and staff are also represented, as are nonblackfaculty and administrators who have had an impact on blacks at MIT. The interviewees were selectedwith an eye to presenting the broadest range of issues and personalities, as well as arepresentative cross section by time period and category.Each interviewee was asked to discussfamily background; education; role models and mentors; experiences of racism and race-relatedissues; choice of field and career; goals; adjustment to the MIT environment; best and worst MITexperiences; experience with MIT support services; relationships with MIT students, faculty, andstaff; advice to present or potential MIT students; and advice to the MIT administration. Arecurrent theme is that MIT's rigorous teaching instills the confidence to deal with just about anyhurdle in professional life, and that an MIT degree opens many doors and supplies instantcredibility.Each interview includes biographical notes and pictures. The book also includes ageneral introduction, a glossary, and appendixes describing the project's methodology.