4 ms·

As a black founder in Technology, I have writeen what I think are two good posts on this issue. Like Michael said hewas advised, people rather not discuss this

As a black founder in Technology, I have writeen what I think are two good posts on this issue. Like Michael said hewas advised, people rather not discuss this or instead argue on a tangential. If there is a problem, talk about it and fix it. If not it will persist. Like I always say discussions about race ishould not be equated to racism. In case you are interested, here are my 2 posts on the issue Race andTechnology: Are There Renowned Internet Startups With Black Founders? http://oonwoye.com/2010/04/05/black-founders/ http://oonwoye.com/2010/04/05/black-founders/ Hackernews And The ‘dirty’ Black Founder Question. http://oonwoye.com/2011/03/21/hackernews-and-the-dirty-black-founder-question/ http://oonwoye.com/2011/03/21/hackernews-and-the-dirty-black... It is hard not to notice that the usual top commenters avoid ths topic like a plague. If you can though, I'd like feedback on my posts. If you wish you can email me your comments, It will be kept private. It is rather ironic that Mike says he is open to discussing about Race issues but has closed comments on this post and the previous one. I understand he might be avoiding mudslinging. But sadly, the race topic is a really difficult one to moderate. However, if it is to be solved, it MUST, be discussed. I cannot think of any other way around

hvs 15y ago
As to your second post, I think you are on the right track. I think -- in the U.S. -- when race is brought up in discussions, white people are immediately on guard for a couple things: 1) Being perceived as a racist for something they say, regardless of whether it was meant in that way, 2) being in a conversation where someone else says something that could be perceived as racist and that they are going to be inadvertently associated with someone that is racist. For these reasons, I think most white people, when in mixed company, will generally try to avoid any discussions of race. I'm assuming that you aren't from the U.S., so I will add that race is probably the most sensitive subject that you can discuss in this country. A label of "racist" has been known to ruin many prominent careers (whether it was deserved or not). When presented with opportunity to discuss this subject, most people will avoid it, not because they are racist, or because they don't think it is a problem, but because they are honestly afraid -- and rightly so -- of being called a racist. Until we can have a discussion where white people are not immediately assumed to be racist because they said one thing that isn't in the accepted canon of "valid statements about race," we won't be able to have honest and open discussions about race. Full disclosure, I'm a white, male, American.
- binarycheese 15y ago
  I believe you are right. Honestly, I don't Mike is racist but the "Passive Attitude" that he can't think of any black founder - when he clearly knows some is kind of dishonest.
  - kstenerud 15y ago
    Quick! How many redhead entrepreneurs do you know? Tick tick tick DING! Time's up! Don't know any, huh? What about Mr Brown? Oh, so you DO know redhead entrepreneurs. So you're just being dishonest! Obviously, you're biased against redheads then. It sounds just as ridiculous when you insert "black" in there.
binarycheese 15y ago
"It is hard not to notice that the usual top commenters avoid ths topic like a plague." I've also noticed that.
- petercooper 15y ago
  Because this topic, much like "the technology industry is sexist", has been discussed to death here about 342 times already without any reasonable outcomes.
  - OoTheNigerian 15y ago
    Are we not technologists any longer? Are we not supposed to be solving problems? As regards your claim, can I see your comment on this topic? Show me a name from the top 10 on this list http://news.ycombinator.com/leaders http://news.ycombinator.com/leaders

hvs 15y ago

As to your second post, I think you are on the right track. I think -- in the U.S. -- when race is brought up in discussions, white people are immediately on guard for a couple things: 1) Being perceived as a racist for something they say, regardless of whether it was meant in that way, 2) being in a conversation where someone else says something that could be perceived as racist and that they are going to be inadvertently associated with someone that is racist. For these reasons, I think most white people, when in mixed company, will generally try to avoid any discussions of race. I'm assuming that you aren't from the U.S., so I will add that race is probably the most sensitive subject that you can discuss in this country. A label of "racist" has been known to ruin many prominent careers (whether it was deserved or not). When presented with opportunity to discuss this subject, most people will avoid it, not because they are racist, or because they don't think it is a problem, but because they are honestly afraid -- and rightly so -- of being called a racist. Until we can have a discussion where white people are not immediately assumed to be racist because they said one thing that isn't in the accepted canon of "valid statements about race," we won't be able to have honest and open discussions about race. Full disclosure, I'm a white, male, American.

binarycheese 15y ago
I believe you are right. Honestly, I don't Mike is racist but the "Passive Attitude" that he can't think of any black founder - when he clearly knows some is kind of dishonest.
- kstenerud 15y ago
  Quick! How many redhead entrepreneurs do you know? Tick tick tick DING! Time's up! Don't know any, huh? What about Mr Brown? Oh, so you DO know redhead entrepreneurs. So you're just being dishonest! Obviously, you're biased against redheads then. It sounds just as ridiculous when you insert "black" in there.

binarycheese 15y ago

"It is hard not to notice that the usual top commenters avoid ths topic like a plague." I've also noticed that.

petercooper 15y ago
Because this topic, much like "the technology industry is sexist", has been discussed to death here about 342 times already without any reasonable outcomes.
- OoTheNigerian 15y ago
  Are we not technologists any longer? Are we not supposed to be solving problems? As regards your claim, can I see your comment on this topic? Show me a name from the top 10 on this list http://news.ycombinator.com/leaders http://news.ycombinator.com/leaders