Fair point - and yes, it's a pity that minorities are treated differently (although it does work both ways a bit, too[1]).

I suspect those difference also apply in formal interview situations - and maybe even more difficult to overcome there. Maybe meetups have better potential to overcome negative sterotypes because people actually get to know each other a little?

But white male here too, so what do I know.

[1] http://www.slate.com/articles/technology/technology/2014/01/...