Ask HN: How do I help get the tech community engaged in the plight of Blacks?

3 points by rak 5 years ago | 9 comments

I'm looking for advice or guidance on trying to get more people in tech interested or more informed about the conditions Black people face, especially in America.

I've noticed in the past this community (and other tech heavy ones) seems quite a bit more receptive to content about the protests in Hong Kong but it does not seem to have the same level of interest in the current events and Black America.

Are people interested in things that have a technology aspect to them only?

I am genuinely looking forward to hearing what people think.

brigandish 5 years ago |

It's obviously because:

a) it's intensely political and thus soon becomes tribal, whether or not a person is in a tribe or making a tribal point

b) they may have the view that "the conditions Black people face, especially in America", which we are all going to conclude that you mean institutional racism, is not correct and thus not something they will put their time into

Thus, it is too much trouble for them to get involved in and not something they believe is worth their time. I can even imagine attracting opprobrium for this comment, which is ironic.

So, as with all such things, try not to daemonise your opponents (send to the background to eventually die?:) and allow people to disagree. Take people's points as if they are sincerely made and without malice, accept that they may have a point. Even your question implies that people are making choices based on an irrational or ignorant bias. Cut it out and you may make inroads, which would be a good thing, right?

In short, apply the principle of charity[1].

[1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Principle_of_charity

Alekhine 5 years ago | |

At this point, is there any reason to believe that institutional racism does not exist?

brigandish 5 years ago | | |

Why would that be relevant to treating those who disagree in a charitable way?

ternarybash 5 years ago |

What are you looking for? In Chicago there is a POC developer meet up. There are black software developer/engineers out here.

dvtrn 5 years ago | |

In Chicago there is a POC developer meet up.

This is relevant to me, and had not heard of this meetup. Can you share a link to this?

ternarybash 5 years ago | | |

Yup, np. https://www.meetup.com/People-of-Color-Code/ They're a cool bunch of people there. Even non-poc show up as well.

rak 5 years ago | |

I'm looking for a way to get the larger, non-POC tech community involved.

Dope to hear about Chicago though and greetings from D.C.

ternarybash 5 years ago | | |

Hola. Yeah, overall I hear people taking stances at FANG companies and such, especially in the AI and surveillance world. I believe that's going to be the big issue in the next decade. As for getting involved, I'd start looking at meet ups in your local area. Simple things such as going over privacy focused apps could go a long way.