Dear Marginalized People Coming Into Tech

http://modelviewculture.com/pieces/dear-marginalized-people-coming-into-tech

by jejune06 • 12 years ago

23 5 12 years ago

The tech industry is undeniably dominated by straight white men (much like the rest of the world, surprise surprise).

I realize this article is basically a pep talk for minorities, but I'd just like to point out that, in fact, there exists a world outside of the West.

runbmd2• 12 years ago

Is there a group for older white males trying to break into the industry?

czep• 12 years ago

Is there a group for older white males trying to break into the industry?

Uh, the ACM?

Or any of a number of professional organizations where being older, white, and male will typically confer an image of knowledge and competency. I seriously hope you are joking, but this tired refrain "nobody gave me any special treatment" is so terrifically ignorant of social reality and insulting to anyone who has ever been followed by store security simply for not being white.

And why, pray tell, would the industry even need to encourage more older white males to join what ranks are clearly swollen by this demographic? The entire point, in case you were too self-absorbed to notice, of encouraging marginalized people to join the tech industry is to ensure a diversity of ideas and opinions, rather than risk becoming a narrowly focused homogeneous echo chamber incapable of sustaining any real innovation because everyone thinks exactly alike.

runbmd2• 12 years ago

Whoa...you read WAY too much into my question.

I understood the point of the article perfectly well.

I am an older white male trying to get into web development. I'm sure there are plenty like me already in the industry, but I've heard, anecdotally, that it can be hard for someone of my age to break into the industry. Ageism, if you will.

My question was serious, but perhaps misplaced.

Dear Marginalized People Coming Into Tech

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