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"I'm a white male and I am evil to them" Name one person who has said this.

theorique 13y ago
No one says it literally. It's embedded in the implications. The industry is "too white, too male". White men don't understand the implications or the need for diversity. White men are dinosaurs, they need to adapt to the new world. There's a ton of dog-whistle racism and sexism against white men. Unfortunately, that's the 'acceptable' kind of racism and sexism, because many white men are in positions of power and authority (and therefore 'white men' are considered acceptable to criticize as a group - and even those who lack power are lumped in with the tiny elite at the top). The criticisms that are levied, without proof, against white men in the tech industry, would be treated as evidence of terrible racism and/or sexism if they were levied at other groups. Unlike other groups white men are just expected to smile and nod and agree with the 'feminists' or 'anti-racists' ... arguing back is taken as proof of guilt.
- jfarmer 13y ago
  Louis CK has many smart and funny things to say on this topic (race, here, not gender for the most part): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4LkrQCyIz8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=derzWWYf3-w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF1NUposXVQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4f9zR5yzY When the jester mocks the king it's funny. When the king mocks the jester it's just cruel.
  - theorique 13y ago
    Agreed. I think, however, that addressing "white men" as a group misses the specific target of criticism. The 23 year old entry-level "SWE-I" - who happens to be a white male - is not the 'king' and not a threat to anybody. Lumping him in with men of great power, wealth, and influence because of his race / sex / cultural background is problematic. It's more likely to alienate him and lose him as a potential ally, than to get him on board. On the other hand, informing VCs or other gatekeepers about the desire for diversity in the profession, and holding the thought leaders to a high standard, does make sense.
jsmthrowaway 13y ago
You, by quoting it. Next?

No one says it literally. It's embedded in the implications. The industry is "too white, too male". White men don't understand the implications or the need for diversity. White men are dinosaurs, they need to adapt to the new world. There's a ton of dog-whistle racism and sexism against white men. Unfortunately, that's the 'acceptable' kind of racism and sexism, because many white men are in positions of power and authority (and therefore 'white men' are considered acceptable to criticize as a group - and even those who lack power are lumped in with the tiny elite at the top). The criticisms that are levied, without proof, against white men in the tech industry, would be treated as evidence of terrible racism and/or sexism if they were levied at other groups. Unlike other groups white men are just expected to smile and nod and agree with the 'feminists' or 'anti-racists' ... arguing back is taken as proof of guilt.

jfarmer 13y ago
Louis CK has many smart and funny things to say on this topic (race, here, not gender for the most part): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4LkrQCyIz8 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=derzWWYf3-w https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dF1NUposXVQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TG4f9zR5yzY When the jester mocks the king it's funny. When the king mocks the jester it's just cruel.
- theorique 13y ago
  Agreed. I think, however, that addressing "white men" as a group misses the specific target of criticism. The 23 year old entry-level "SWE-I" - who happens to be a white male - is not the 'king' and not a threat to anybody. Lumping him in with men of great power, wealth, and influence because of his race / sex / cultural background is problematic. It's more likely to alienate him and lose him as a potential ally, than to get him on board. On the other hand, informing VCs or other gatekeepers about the desire for diversity in the profession, and holding the thought leaders to a high standard, does make sense.

jsmthrowaway 13y ago

You, by quoting it. Next?