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So, let’s talk about how the culture of mediocre, unremarkable white dudes in tech continues to fail us as a community, our customers/clients, and society as a whole AND what we can do to change it
1. Tech should adopt the following Guiding Principles
1. Tech should adopt the following Guiding Principles
Tech has, for far too long, been enabled in crafting and scaling a narrative of altruism; “we’re smarter than you and we’re here to save the world”
Utter bullshit
What tech has ALWAYS been is a bunch of privileged individuals who understood early on the value of being a...
Utter bullshit
What tech has ALWAYS been is a bunch of privileged individuals who understood early on the value of being a...
producer rather than just consumer of tech
They discovered the power of getting their ideas out in the world and decided to stake their claim on an entire industry
Not surprisingly, an overwhelming majority of these individuals were...
They discovered the power of getting their ideas out in the world and decided to stake their claim on an entire industry
Not surprisingly, an overwhelming majority of these individuals were...
white, cis, heterosexual, Christian, married, able-bodied, western, English speaking dudes
Now on its own, to the larger world, this wasn’t initially seen as problematic because these folx have always been the default
But what happens when the default; the privileged and...
Now on its own, to the larger world, this wasn’t initially seen as problematic because these folx have always been the default
But what happens when the default; the privileged and...
powerful realize that the world is changing and success NOW requires the perspectives and expertise of folx from marginalized communities; that they work collaboratively with individuals they know nothing about but, due to their forced assimilation, but who know them very well
SHIT GETS WIDE
The places and spaces that were once the safe, comfortable domain of white dudes, now includes women; Black, Indigenous, and other people of color; trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming folx; the disabled, etc and the old ways...
The places and spaces that were once the safe, comfortable domain of white dudes, now includes women; Black, Indigenous, and other people of color; trans, non-binary, and gender nonconforming folx; the disabled, etc and the old ways...
of doing business, of yielding power through coercion, just no longer works
WHY
Because these folx understand their value, and in a strange twist of fate, they’ve found community and commonality on the very platforms these white dudes “created”
WHY
Because these folx understand their value, and in a strange twist of fate, they’ve found community and commonality on the very platforms these white dudes “created”
So it is on those platforms, that these individuals begin to share stories and start to realize that “its not me; it’s never been me, it’s always been them” and together they link arms and begin to demand the inclusive experiences, they understand are possible
What happens when there’s an uprising...folx begin to actively challenge the status quo; the default...they begin to highlight the harm and for those in power, the choice becomes: do I find a way to move forward with or against this wave of criticism
Unfortunately, this is where unmanaged feelings kick in, the part of our brains that communicate that we’re under attack...this is compounded when those who “feel” under attack have been allowed to flourish in a culture crafted...
around their “greatness”, which also unfortunately for them, the marginalized know is the result of systems, institutions, and policies rooted in white supremacy, designed ONLY for chaos and destruction
The marginalized also, due to the lived experiences of having to produce 10x effort for 10% of success thrust upon white dudes via “the assumption of positive intent” and “the benefit of the doubt”, have a clear understanding that mediocre and unremarkable is the default; the...
status quo and it’s through this lens that they challenge the “greatness” that is white supremacy
It’s usually at this point when most white dudes choose the path of digging in; not seeing this as an opportunity for growth and healing...
It’s usually at this point when most white dudes choose the path of digging in; not seeing this as an opportunity for growth and healing...
because they DO NOT see that they too are being harmed by these systems, institutions, and policies designed to discriminate and oppress others on their behalf
They don’t get that white supremacy strips them of their humanity; ability to develop the connections we all crave
They don’t get that white supremacy strips them of their humanity; ability to develop the connections we all crave
But here’s the good part, the numbers of white dudes who recognize that challenging white supremacy; that standing with the marginalized is the ONLY path forward, out of their own bondage, is growing
This brings us to the next hurdle, the one the rest of us have...
This brings us to the next hurdle, the one the rest of us have...
been struggling with...how do WE move forward
As a start...adopt the Guiding Principles, at the individual, organizational, and societal levels
As a start...adopt the Guiding Principles, at the individual, organizational, and societal levels
2. This work is hard AND uncomfortable and we will cause harm along the way...this is why a well developed strategy is essential
This is NOT the time to “wing it”
The usual mediocre and unremarkable effort causes unnecessary harm
This is why I developed the Rule of Engagement
This is NOT the time to “wing it”
The usual mediocre and unremarkable effort causes unnecessary harm
This is why I developed the Rule of Engagement
Once you embrace that being “apolitical” is a false reality, you understand the need to ensure that “debates” related to someone’s humanity or right to exist, are nonstarters
Such conversations are not only harmful but are indeed POLITICAL
Such conversations are not only harmful but are indeed POLITICAL
Once all acknowledge the harm inflicted by “debating” how folx identify and that this behavior is off limits, then we’re ready to learn
This is where we prioritize LISTENING to UNDERSTAND and NOT to “debate”
This is where we prioritize LISTENING to UNDERSTAND and NOT to “debate”
Once we’ve gained some understanding, we’re now capable of engaging each other to find commonalities to leverage for welcoming and psychological safety, while respecting the boundaries of our collective differences
This is the challenging but necessary work that must be done in order for tech, as an industry, to shift to a culture that seeks success, while minimizing harm to ALL stakeholders: those who work for, partner with, buy from, and invest in us
