Confused

Posted Oct 27, 2025 18:38 UTC (Mon) by clugstj (subscriber, #4020)
Parent article: Python Software Foundation withdraws security-related grant proposal

I am confused as to how "diversity, equality, and inclusion" programs would address "structural vulnerabilities in Python and PyPl"?

Confused

Posted Oct 27, 2025 18:48 UTC (Mon) by corbet (editor, #1) [Link]

Speaking only for myself, but it seems that going out of their way to ensure they are bringing in developers from the widest talent pool possible would be good for Python in all kinds of ways.

Confused

Posted Oct 27, 2025 18:50 UTC (Mon) by mikapfl (subscriber, #84646) [Link] (1 responses)

Nobody said that
> "diversity, equality, and inclusion" programs would address "structural vulnerabilities in Python and PyPl"

Instead, the PSF says that promoting "diversity, equality, and inclusion" are part of their mission, as well as making Python and PyPI safe. People, and organizations, can have more than one aim at the same time.

Confused

Posted Oct 27, 2025 19:32 UTC (Mon) by Wol (subscriber, #4433) [Link]

Precisely.

Much as I hate all this "inclusivity" crap, I read far too many stories of programming involving cliques, some people actively driving others away, Public School initiation-rite-type behaviour (that's UK Public Schools, not US public schools - completely opposite meaning).

I'd much rather have what I call "positive anti-discrimination", but that's not that much different from "diversity, equality and inclusion". Probably just a different emphasis but targetting the same end (and probably with a slightly different outcome, but not much).

We NEED anti-discrimination programs, so to have grant conditions that forbid that sort of behaviour ...

Cheers,
Wol

Confused

Posted Oct 27, 2025 19:02 UTC (Mon) by excors (subscriber, #95769) [Link] (1 responses)

They wouldn't, but (from the blog post):

> This restriction would apply not only to the security work directly funded by the grant, but to any and all activity of the PSF as a whole.

The US government isn't just choosing not to directly fund "DEI" programs themselves, they're using their control over funding as a way to force companies and universities to eliminate all DEI activity.

Confused

Posted Oct 27, 2025 21:20 UTC (Mon) by josh (subscriber, #17465) [Link]

Or anything they choose to paint as such, for that matter; it's a thin excuse by which they can steer funding to organizations they consider politically aligned, or push organizations to be more politically aligned. And for every PSF that can afford to turn down 1.5M to not become subject to the whims of the administration, there are other organizations that will grit their teeth and make a show of bending the knee so they get funded.