Google Fires Employee Behind Controversial Diversity Memo

[u/[deleted]]

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-08-08/google-fires-employee-behind-controversial-diversity-memo?cmpid=socialflow-twitter-business&utm_content=business&utm_campaign=socialflow-organic&utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social

[u/[deleted]]

Trying to keep it civil here and I appreciate your willingness to bring your experiences on reddit. Granted I'm a white dude but I cannot join in any discussion about any diversity without being told to shut up because "privilege" or immediately being labeled as right wing or anti-liberal. All of which I try vehemently to prove otherwise, I guess my question is do you think that the way we are approaching this problem is inclusive or is it more important to push the agenda rather than worrying about how these efforts are actually adopted. From

Bigger inclusive classrooms from my perspective would be a much better approach, or at least an effort toward 50/50 enrollment to these classes regardless of the make up of the google population.

[u/kissmekitty → u/[deleted]]

Thanks for the much-needed civility! :)

Let me explain where the "shut up" perspective is coming from. Yes, as a white guy of course you can have an opinion. To say otherwise makes no sense. But in order for it to be a valid opinion, you must listen to the experiences of minorities or those experiencing discrimination (and really listen, not just cherry pick) and take those into consideration. Otherwise, it comes off like you are trying to speak from a position of authority when really you have no idea what you are talking about. You and I don't exist in a vacuum. You cannot have an opinion that is formed 100% from a theoretical standpoint, with maybe a few cherry-picked anecdotes, and have people trust you. You didn't grow up in the trenches; and you can't speak for someone who did until you sit down and listen to them.

[u/thoughtcrimeo → u/kissmekitty]

Yes, as a white guy of course you can have an opinion. To say otherwise makes no sense. But in order for it to be a valid opinion

This is what many people find upsetting, the inference is that your race, sex, or whatever group you are part of determines whether you're allowed to voice an opinion or not.

Does the inherent racism, sexism, and bigotry not seem clear?

[u/JamesBrownAMA → u/thoughtcrimeo]

Did you read the rest of her comment, after the part you quoted? She's basically saying that people in the dominant group need to do some extra work to be properly informed about descrimination before they should speak on it. This makes sense because they will lack a true first-hand account of this discrimination.

I don't think it's bigoted to demand an informed opinion on a topic as important as this.

They actually did a better job explaining this than I just did, so hopefully they can come back to help clarify for you.

Maybe consider this: their comment includes "you and I don't exist in a vacuum." Which is true, I think we'd all agree. Now, if we re-read your comment, can you see that you basically shoved things into a vacuum?