Monday, December 12, 2016

Conversations on diversity


I want to share a few  interesting conversations with or about women in technology industry: 

A young white American male, on attending Grace Hopper Celebration - a conference by and for women in computing
- It felt really weird to be part of the small minority of men there. I usually feel like I belong when I go to technology events, but this was different. 



A different young white American male, works in a heavily male-dominated office
- So, as a member of the majority, what can I do to welcome more women to participate in tech?
Another young white American male, same workplace
- But we welcome women! We are a total meritocracy.  Women just do not apply.



Mid-career software professional, female, working in the public sector
- Yesterday, I suggested researching a way to automatically add new users to "AR" group. I told it three times. It was ignored and dismissed. By the end of the meeting, Garry said exact same thing. Adolfo carefully recorded it in his plan of action.
Experienced white male, in response to the woman’s comment above
- Sad that it upset you so much. How much easier would be your work if you just shrug and ignore, even better, do not notice these little injustices. The credit, that little bit of authorship honor, was stolen from you. The whole incident was a waste of time and emotions.



Another professional woman
- I get a flood of emotion when I realize that consistently in our staff meetings one of my male coworkers echoes my comments or objections loudly for the whole group, either in agreement or augmenting them with his own thoughts in legitimate discussion. This is a first in my career that I feel consistently heard, even with the many female coworkers I've had. And he is raising a daughter.




2 comments:

  1. I can imagine mid-career software professional female's response to experienced white male...

    Nice pic of someone I know at the end :)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The lady was genuinely frustrated. Understandably.

      Delete