3 ms·
Yes, exactly. The problem is not the genetic characteristics of whiteness or maleness. It's that they grew up in a society that favors whiteness and maleness,
by 300baud 8y ago
Yes, exactly.
The problem is not the genetic characteristics of whiteness or maleness. It's that they grew up in a society that favors whiteness and maleness, and is much more accepting of the abuse of people who aren't so favored. If Twitter had started in China, where the Han are favored over ethnic minority groups like Tibetans and the Uyghur, it would be the same dynamic but with different ethnic groups.
Of course, tech is disproportionately white and male, so it's entirely unsurprising that HN readers have risen up en masse to defend the honor of white men. It exactly proves the point. White men will say that fighting abuse is important. But when they have to show their real priorities by how they allocate time and effort, actually understanding the abuse problem and how it disproportionately effects minorities comes well after defending their own interests.
(And: Yes yes, not all white men. Generalizations are general statements that may or may not apply to an individual.)
- deleted 8y ago[deleted]
- strken 8y agoWhile that's true, you could at least tip your hat to Jack Dorsey's $3bn net worth, the insanely high executive and engineering salaries in San Francisco, and the effect that being so insanely rich must have on the complacency and sheltered lives of everyone at Twitter. It's a little bit worrying that you think race and sex are greater assets than class (= "network" and "culture fit") and money.
- DoreenMichele 8y agoIt's late. I'm tired. I left a couple of replies earlier, then deleted them. This seems like a just no win situation to me. I'm not a feminist. I'm a former homemaker that self proclaimed feminists routinely crap on. I come to Hacker News because I need a place where I can engage in meaty intellectual discussion so I don't lose my marbles. That is my only agenda for being here. However, dealing with sexual politics is not something I can entirely avoid what with posting as openly female. Suffice it to say that I don't really want to be associated with this toxic attitude and I am kind of wishing I had not said anything at all. I am starting to feel like "The only winning move is not to play" and I failed to make that move.