Working in tech is wonderful. We can build whatever we dream of, we always have countless new things to learn and explore, and we can passionately share what we know with everyone, anywhere. It is a dream come true and everyone deserves to have an opportunity to be a part of it. Everyone.
Unfortunately, that is not always the case. Some people are convinced that tech-related jobs are only for men, or even worse – only for white men. I wish it was just a handful of individuals, but that does not align with how often I hear stories about this on social media and from my friends. No, the problem is very serious and is not improving. We are making everything in tech more open, but there is only little progress in inclusivity.
This is not only about the people who are publicly dismissive of equality and are even “proud” of it. There are many who swear they support equality, but their actions don’t align with it. We often hear “I’m all for equality, but…” – however, equality is equality, so there is no space for “buts”. Finally, the biggest group of people are those who are aware of inequality in tech but stay silent, even in moment where their voice would matter.
The best way to realize it for yourself is to imagine it for yourself:
- What if you knew that the success of that upcoming tech interview you are trying to pass depends more on your looks than on your skills?
- What if the first thing you hear in a meeting is a greeting “Hey guys”, which explicitly excludes you?
- What if you were a part of a team but your ideas and opinions were automatically dismissed, even though they are valuable and relevant?
I think it is clear, that we must change. And where to start? Ideally – with yourself. Become an ally. Read up on the topic from various sources and then start applying it to your work environment. When you notice non-inclusive behavior, do not be afraid to point it out and try to persuade others to become more open-minded. Share encouraging stories to motivate those who feel down. Support non-profits promoting tech for everyone, for example Girls who Code. You can also become a mentor and provide constructive feedback to help others navigate. But most important of all – listen. Even though it may not sound as much, being acknowledged has a profound impact.
If we want to make the future of technology bright and limitless, it must be inclusive. We must be friendly and welcoming to everyone, we must value their skills and opinions.
Let me end with with a meme that says it all:
Learn more from the following sources:
It’s really sad that a person from the Czech Republic hopes to build a career on becoming the same racist loser that now abound west of our borders. You are solving utter pseudo-problems just so you can be in your boobs that you are in enough to kick white people. I have unsubscribed from your newsletter. I’m sick of you guys. Have you knelt yet today? Don’t forget to take a picture while you’re at it. Just for the record. In the Czech Republic, we have perhaps the highest percentage of REALLY WORKING migrants in the EU. At the same time, we have virtually no migrants from Africa or Arab countries. Let everyone draw their own conclusion and certainly not leave it to the author of this blog. He has already chosen his career elevator.
Je skutečně smutné, že člověk z České republiky doufá, že si vybuduje kariéru na tom, že se stane tím stejným rasistickým chudákem, jakých je nyní plno na západ od našich hranic. Řešíte naprosté pseudoproblémy jen kvůli tomu, abyste se mohl být v prsa, že jste dostatečně in a umíte si do bílých kopnout. Zrušil jsem odběr newsletteru. JE mi z vás na nic. Už jste dnes klečel? Nezapomeňte se u toho vyfotit. Jen pro zajímavost pro ostatní. V České republice máme možná nejvyšší procento pracujících migrantů v EU. Zároveň u nás nejsou prakticky žádní migranti z Afriky a z arabských zemí. Závěr, nechť si udělá každý sám a rozhodně to nenechává na autorovi tohoto blogu. Ten už si svůj výtah ke kariéře vybral.
Thank you for unsubscribing, you will not be missed.
Right, he will not be missed…
However, what may be missed, is tech blogs about tech stuff and political activism posts without pretending being tech.
The idea of equality in the everyday life of a liberal: You don’t accept my views, pls die.
🙂
And by the way, we were told all through school that it was a selective school. If we don’t try, we’re out. It’s supposed to be for everyone now. LOL. Funny.
During communism we had such people on whom the regime stood. Václav Havel described them as conformist greengrocers. They always flew the Soviet flag on May Day. They knew it was the right way to prosper under the regime. It’s obvious you know how to do it.
How exactly can you call the act of challenging the status quo as conformist? That is a clear logical fallacy right there. It’s obvious that you not only lack proper morals but basic understanding skills as well. Off you go, mate. Don’t let the door hit you where the good Lord split you.🤣
No. Every newspaper, every TV station, every radio station in the US repeats what you say. It’s a new religion. You could even lose your job if you disagree with this religion. In the EU you can get subsidies for your nonsense. You are a conformist greengrocer and instead of technology you preach nonsense about anyone can do IT. Even socialism wasn’t that egalitarian.
Pane Pajer, není Vám to trapný? Taková šaškárna. Nejen, že je z Vašeho komentáře očividné, ze máte velmi zkreslené představy o americké mediální sféře, je velice členitá, pro Vaši informaci, ale Vy sám jste do očí bijící příklad zpuchřelého způsobu myšlení, který v oboru stale převládá a proti kterému se autor vyhrazuje. Avšak proti blbosti se občas nedá bojovat logikou, takže Vám aspoň děkuji. Hodně jsem se zasmála.
No, zpuchřelej jsem dost, ale myšlení se to netýká. Jinak ale úplně nevím, proč probíráme mě. Fakta jsou taková, že jsou lidé vyhazováni z práce za to, že se třeba domnívají, že klíčové by měly být způsobilosti pracovníka, nikoli jeho rasa či sexuální orientace. Ergo, jste konformní. Tečka. Víte o těch vyhazovech nebo ne? Jestli ne, tak si to vygooglete. Jestli víte, proč je popíráte? V kapitalismu hrají roli jen způsobilosti, vůle, nasazení. Tak tomu má být. Naopak v socialismu se hodnotí třídní původ, občanský aktivismus apod. Jestliže někdo preferuje socialismus, protože mu přijde více fresh (anti-zpuchřelý), v pořádku. Já preferuji kapitalismus. Nicméně pak nemůže být diskuse o tom, jestli je či není pan Zikmund včetně asi vás naprosto konformní. Stal se zelinářem preferující jistotu před pravdou přesně tak, jak to popisuje V. Havel. Ne. IT není a nikdy nebude pro všechny dokud bude spočívat v řešení problémů. Mimochodem, stejně jako mnoho jiných oborů. Nemůžete být ve svých představách bojovníky proti něčemu, když na totéž lze dostávat dotace a zároveň opak znamená hafo problémů. Fakta.