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a privilege doing business with you
a privilege doing business with you I was talking to a friend about a memo sent out by an employee at google, an engineer who is a white male. He called into account the various benefits that women and people of color were privy to that he as a white male did not have access to and said that this was not only unfair, but illegal. Two other white engineers have now joined him in his efforts of redress. Google terminated his employ. I would note that the memo was 10 pages long. What was most interesting about our discussion was her take on the issue of white privilege and where and when it ceases to matter. She is not white. As we talked, it occurred to me that I could not disagree that color is of little import in moments of life and death or deep personal crises. One sees this played out over and over again. What we both wondered is whether this speaks well or ill of our fellow human beings. The memo man could see no reason why he should care about diversity, increasing the number of women in the workplace, etc. because it did him no immediate service and impacted his work not at all. To have the company require that he support something that had no purpose in his life, his work or his ability to do his work was to him specious and not within their area of concern. Should they continue to demand it, he wanted access to all the benefits the women and minorities received (trainings, meetings, restrooms, etc.). There is some validity in this. does he have to support the agency mission to be an effective employee? But again, does a company have to hire anyone who does not support their ethos as an employee? Ah, therein lies the rub. As an employee at will, they can fire him without citing cause. He can collect unemployment, but he can’t litigate. He can only litigate for an “ism”. What ism has been called into play here? Cynicism? I loved our talk. She said the military (she’s a vet), has limited racism now because of the fear of dying but since women are still few and far between in combat, sexism is still rampant. HA. We noted how well people can work together in a crisis like a hurricane and then go back to separate corners after. Is trust only a matter of needing the other person for something? And if there is no need, no pain, there is no trust, no reason to give a shit? I know we all say we’re not like that, but a whole bunch of people are like that…. way too many are way too eager to turn and walk away, just because it isn’t hurting them……yet. And one day of marching is not enough. It’s cool, glad you did it but it’s not enough. Maybe we all have to hurt before we really understand. You cannot conceive the many without the one. |
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loss, pain, need, give you a sense of proportion. i wonder if this man had simply never had to deal with life's vicissitudes? google google memo...it's an interesting read. You cannot conceive the many without the one.
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Not trying to start a fight but have you heard of reverse discrimination? Some of the worst bigots I've met over the years have been(but not exclusively) people of color and women. There are people out there that think only whites are hard wired to be racists and only men can be sexist. A large part of what bothers people about embracing diversity is the lost of power and privilege. But if your identity as a man is rooted in your willingness and ability to fight effectively when necessary, what are you left with when you have to admit that women can be just as good at that as men? Don't get me wrong, I have four sisters and learned early on that women are capable of holding their own in typical male occupations. What can really be scary is that not every one wants mere equality, they want payback. If a man in power is merely accused of inappropriate conduct, he is not merely punished, he is banished without due process or a trial. Criminals aren't treated that bad usually. Please don't let me be misunderstood.
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Unfortunately there is a lot of people like him and my belief is it doesn't matter what color, or race you are we should all be treated equally. Great read hun thanks for sharing with us..
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for me, memo man is the poster child. His manifesto (10 pages!..who writes a ten page memo), illustrates a lack of understanding and empathy. nothing in it for me so why do i have to get involved.....he's not evil, unkind, and he's articulate. He just feels left out. so how do you get him to buy in.........you give him a gimme. and you make it worth his while. make him a mentor for new recruits to engineering. grins. their success is his. vest him in the process. You cannot conceive the many without the one.
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I agree with you. Everyone should be treated equal hugs V Become a blog watcher sweet_vm
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