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i gave a keynote the other day in which i talked about the need for social inclusion, enforced codes of conduct and accessibility in tech. it was pre-recorded, so i watched the live chat on the day. many people, i know, enjoyed the talk.
but of course other voices felt it right to take a different view. "oh i'm going to feel SO WOKE after this." "what is all this virtue signalling?" "this stuff doesn't belong in tech" "code of conducts hurt projects."
but the one that got me. the one that really stuck in my craw. it stuck with me then, and i have been thinking about it since thursday was this comment:
"inequality doesn't mean inequity".
sounds catchy, doesn't it? it taps the idea inequality is needed to make economies work.
"inequality doesn't mean inequity".
sounds catchy, doesn't it? it taps the idea inequality is needed to make economies work.
that catchiness, the flippancy is what makes this stuff so dangerous. businesses are "amoral not immoral". oh sure that's totally right, as long as activity is in the service of property then everything is correct.
i have been watching people protesting for the last six days or so precisely because INEQUALITY IS INEQUITY.
black people are not treated equally, by the law, by white people on the street or in parks, or by Money.
this inequality is corrosive to everyone. it demeans us.
black people are not treated equally, by the law, by white people on the street or in parks, or by Money.
this inequality is corrosive to everyone. it demeans us.
if you think property, or your peace of mind, is more important than other people's lives, freedoms and rights then you are, quite simply, wrong, and you are are damaged. the system has hurt you. you can heal yourself only be opening up your heart to justice and equality.
helping other people with things is a good way to start repairing the damage done. help someone get a job, make an intro, share your network. listen, learn. you'll feel better for it. you'll be better for it.
empathy and helpfulness is like a muscle. the more you practice it, the better you feel, and the better you are. go to the empathy gym. read more books by black people, by women, by folks from other countries. watch South Korean movies. revel in cultural difference.
Here is the thing. Equality doesn't mean everyone is the same. It is the differences, seeing colour, seeing others for who they are and want to be, accepting them, helping them thrive. that is where equity lies. that is healthiness. that is wealth. that is being made whole.
I am a 50yo white guy. It's not easy. I fuck up all the time. But I will keep trying to do better. If more people like me challenged themselves to improve, and see others in all their richness and beauty, we could improve society a lot.
i should maybe end white guy thread with some other voices. this is great https://twitter.com/mireillecharper/status/1266335563197501440
read this, challenge yourself, sit with your discomfort and think why you feel like that https://tatianamac.com/posts/white-guyde/
This thread is great https://twitter.com/yanarchy/status/1267025130980425729?s=19
