3 ms·

Diversity is so in right now. This is the just another way for white high-status individuals to show that's they're not just rich BUT also MORALLY better than y

Diversity is so in right now. This is the just another way for white high-status individuals to show that's they're not just rich BUT also MORALLY better than you. I can just see the execs at Slack, sitting back in their chair in some posh SF restaurant, recounting to their friends how they got four BLACK WOMEN to accept an award for them.

tootie 11y ago
That's awfully cynical. I think they just wanted to send a message that diversity can pay dividends on it's own. Can't we just be happy for Slack and for these women?
- ferrari8608 11y ago
  Cynical it may be, and sure we can be happy for Slack. He's right though, at least in that is what this looks like.
tptacek 11y ago
You're arguing that stories about racial and gender diversity overshadow some larger story about class divisions in Silicon Valley. Fine. I agree that there are real issues of class in tech startups. But I'm left wondering: stipulate that class is an issue, would you prefer to see less racial and gender diversity?
- heisnotanalien 11y ago
  Honestly I'm not very well versed in this space to have a real opinion. On a personal level, I judge people by their abilities rather than their race or gender though I fully appreciate that there are difficulties with this. It does seem to me that class isn't talked about though. Sorry but a middle-class Ivy league black woman is not of a lower status than a white working-class male.
- heisnotanalien 11y ago
  Honestly I'm not very well versed in this space to have a real opinion. On a personal level, I judge people by their abilities rather than their race or gender though I fully appreciate that there are difficulties with this. It does seem to me that class isn't talked about though. Sorry but a middle-class Ivy league black woman is not of a lower status than a white working-class male.
kelukelugames 11y ago
http://slackhq.com/post/128721741660/inclusion-and-diversity-at-slack http://slackhq.com/post/128721741660/inclusion-and-diversity... Slack posted demographics for every category except for race and management. I hope it's an oversight.
jhanschoo 11y ago
I don't understand how the point you're trying to make is important. A more inclusive workplace for white-collar employees is a small step towards decoupling income status from race and sex, and crushing racial and sexual prejudice. Regardless of how you imagine Slack's execs perceive or use this event, the message of ability it sends to the audiences that need it/benefit from it is salient, important and useful.

tootie 11y ago

That's awfully cynical. I think they just wanted to send a message that diversity can pay dividends on it's own. Can't we just be happy for Slack and for these women?

ferrari8608 11y ago
Cynical it may be, and sure we can be happy for Slack. He's right though, at least in that is what this looks like.

tptacek 11y ago

You're arguing that stories about racial and gender diversity overshadow some larger story about class divisions in Silicon Valley. Fine. I agree that there are real issues of class in tech startups. But I'm left wondering: stipulate that class is an issue, would you prefer to see less racial and gender diversity?

heisnotanalien 11y ago
Honestly I'm not very well versed in this space to have a real opinion. On a personal level, I judge people by their abilities rather than their race or gender though I fully appreciate that there are difficulties with this. It does seem to me that class isn't talked about though. Sorry but a middle-class Ivy league black woman is not of a lower status than a white working-class male.
heisnotanalien 11y ago
Honestly I'm not very well versed in this space to have a real opinion. On a personal level, I judge people by their abilities rather than their race or gender though I fully appreciate that there are difficulties with this. It does seem to me that class isn't talked about though. Sorry but a middle-class Ivy league black woman is not of a lower status than a white working-class male.

kelukelugames 11y ago

http://slackhq.com/post/128721741660/inclusion-and-diversity-at-slack http://slackhq.com/post/128721741660/inclusion-and-diversity... Slack posted demographics for every category except for race and management. I hope it's an oversight.

jhanschoo 11y ago

I don't understand how the point you're trying to make is important. A more inclusive workplace for white-collar employees is a small step towards decoupling income status from race and sex, and crushing racial and sexual prejudice. Regardless of how you imagine Slack's execs perceive or use this event, the message of ability it sends to the audiences that need it/benefit from it is salient, important and useful.