4 ms·

"because they feel minorities may be unable to fight the fight themselves" The soft bigotry of low expectations.

• jasonwatkinspdx 6y ago
  Not in the slightest. I recognize that as a white dude that very easily fits the stereotypes common in tech the risk to my career for pushing forward on this stuff is relatively minor. For my non white co-workers things are more complicated. By pushing on the problems even gently, they'll most likely be branded as problematic. In particular the "angry black lady that's difficult to work with" branding comes out very fast. I can't change how I was born or the context of the stereotypes I live within. I can control how aware I am of that and shape my behavior in response.
  • blub 6y ago
    You're kidding yourself if you think that pushing forward on this stuff won't label you as problematic just because you happen to be white. You're just going to be the "angry white dude" instead of the "angry black lady".
    • jasonwatkinspdx 6y ago
      Nope, not at all. I've been outspoken about this stuff for quite some time. I tend to be someone people look to as a peer leader as well, no matter my title, largely because I am willing to be outspoken. I've never been criticized over it. I've been repeatedly praised for it.