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This isn't going to be a popular sentiment here, but I think Ibrahim's experiences shows why diversity training is important. It's 2020; there is no reason for

by atdt 6y ago

This isn't going to be a popular sentiment here, but I think Ibrahim's experiences shows why diversity training is important. It's 2020; there is no reason for things like this happen: > I've been to job interviews where the receptionist will take me to a whiteboard room. When the interviewer comes in, he'd say: "I'm sorry, you must be in the wrong room." > I often get: "I couldn't tell where you are from on the phone." I often hear complaints that diversity training is largely cosmetic and doesn't get at the root of the problem. To some extent that is true: teaching people not to act surprised when they encounter a black software engineer is an interim strategy while we all work on making diversity unsurprising (because commonplace). But as this op-ed shows, seemingly small foot-in-mouth "gaffs" can be surprisingly hurtful, and they are largely correctible with training. Such training is best understood as one component in what is (or ought to be) a broader social project — but it's an important component, especially now.

melfix 6y ago
I think one of the problems with public discourse right now is that we're failing to separate a number of important topics. This problem—the cumulative effect of racial attitudes on the lived experience of black people—deserves to be considered on its own, but is often conflated with police reform and the activity of explicitly racist groups. I think you're right that the best tool to combat this problem specifically is awareness.
okaythen 6y ago
This is it, what those statements are implicitly saying is you can't be black and work in tech. They place an extra barrier in a already difficult situation.(job interviews)
Mirioron 6y ago
>I often hear complaints that diversity training is largely cosmetic and doesn't get at the root of the problem. Does it work? I can certainly see a scenario whereby mandating diversity training could just make the situation worse instead. Obviously I understand how it might improve things too. So, does it work? >But as this op-ed shows, seemingly small foot-in-mouth "gaffs" can be surprisingly hurtful, and they are largely correctible with training. I don't see how you will ever get rid of them. Sure, maybe for one identifiable group, but then it'll be something else. There are a million things by which these kinds of foot in mouth situations can arise that are hurtful. You can't have training for all of that, which means that some people will have to get over it in other ways. Or are those okay because they're not about race?

by atdt 6y ago

melfix 6y ago

I think one of the problems with public discourse right now is that we're failing to separate a number of important topics. This problem—the cumulative effect of racial attitudes on the lived experience of black people—deserves to be considered on its own, but is often conflated with police reform and the activity of explicitly racist groups. I think you're right that the best tool to combat this problem specifically is awareness.

okaythen 6y ago

This is it, what those statements are implicitly saying is you can't be black and work in tech. They place an extra barrier in a already difficult situation.(job interviews)

Mirioron 6y ago

>I often hear complaints that diversity training is largely cosmetic and doesn't get at the root of the problem. Does it work? I can certainly see a scenario whereby mandating diversity training could just make the situation worse instead. Obviously I understand how it might improve things too. So, does it work? >But as this op-ed shows, seemingly small foot-in-mouth "gaffs" can be surprisingly hurtful, and they are largely correctible with training. I don't see how you will ever get rid of them. Sure, maybe for one identifiable group, but then it'll be something else. There are a million things by which these kinds of foot in mouth situations can arise that are hurtful. You can't have training for all of that, which means that some people will have to get over it in other ways. Or are those okay because they're not about race?