In the article "NYTimes: Exposing Hidden Biases at Google to Improve Diversity" the topic is about how biased a workplace, like Google, is. However, Google has realized this fact and is beginning to work towards a solution. It is shown by statistics in the article that most technologically based workplaces are 60%, or more, male, and only 40%, or less, female. This problem will take years to solve, as explained in the article, but can have fantastic results. For example, it is scientifically proven that a more diverse office or workplace will be more creative than a office dominated by a single race or sex. This links with racial bias because sexism and racism are based on similar beliefs, discrimination and prejudice, but are about two different things, race and sex.
Racial and sexual discrimination have been a problem for thousands of years, from the first civilizations to now. However, now we are trying to change our ways and become as equal as possible, even if the change may be slow. It is clear that Google as well as other companies and workplaces are trying to develop a more equal environment for both men and women of all races, but their adjustment will take time. However, there is no need to be disappointing in how slow things are moving forward, because even if it is slow, it shows in everyday life. For example, today about 40% of the employees at Google are women, but about 100 to 200 years ago the number only about 10% of women or less worked for large companies like Google. Not to mention the fact that women probably had very few high ranked jobs, but now it is not uncommon for a woman to be a manager, a boss, or another high ranking employee.
Again, the key to success when it comes to almost anything is time. Most illnesses are cured with time, many of the greatest ideas took time to develop, as well as the best books of all time. The point is, equal rights for all people are just as great if not better than the things listed above, so even if these rights take 10 years, 100 years, or even 1000 years to take full effect, the results will be revolutionary. Rome wasn't built in a day, and neither are perfectly equal rights that
are accepted by the majority, if not all, of people.
After reading your response, I would have to say that I agree with what you are saying about the slow process of gender equality. In my response, I was a bit frustrated over how Google wasn't providing any concrete evidence that showed how sexism was lessening in the workplace, but now, I sort of disagree with my points. I also liked how you didn't focus on "hidden biases", but instead, how people shouldn't be freaking out over something that can't be immediately corrected.
ReplyDeleteI like how you used various statistics to support and explain your thoughts, it helped clarify a slightly confusing point I didn't fully understand. Unfortunately, I have to disagree with the end of your second statement. In my response, I found outside information regarding several females who earned half, or less, of income, than their male peers and denied promotions, in favor of men who hadn't put in any effort or interest for the position. Overall though, I enjoyed reading your position.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement about how it's okay for equal rights to take a long time to develop. I also liked how you compared this case to many other similar ones. It kept me intrigued and I'm sure it did to others as well.
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed your focus on the major point of change over time. It was clever to include examples of situations that required change over time and how it is necessary in many aspects of life. Implementations of ideas and concepts don't take effect immediately and definitely need a gradual transition. I also briefly touched on the aspect of women's incorporation into major companies in my own response, and actually should have elaborated as much as you did. I don't disagree with anything you had to say but I do want want to add on. With the idea that incorporation will take time established, I think that the distance to that goal can be shortened if other major companies also take the effort for change in gender equality as Google has.
ReplyDeleteAfter reading many blogs, I enjoyed how you brought "changing over time" into play. I agree with the fact that having a more "equal" office will result in a better workplace, but I believe that some companies wouldn't want this. If a company is successful and has a large profit (with the office consisting of a majority of males), why would they risk changing their features, when they are doing fine as it is? I found your perspective really interesting, and look forward to reading your future blogs! :)
ReplyDeleteAs with most of the other comments, I really enjoyed how you utilized time as a factor for a situation like this. It brings up something we may have not thought about and maybe something the article should have mentioned. After reading this, I can only hope that most hidden bias and feminism can be reduced throughout time.
ReplyDeleteLike what many other people has stated, what I like about your response is that you used outside reaseach. In particular, the statement about how today about 40% of the employees at Google are women, but about 100 to 200 years ago only about 10% of women or less worked for large companies like Google caught my attention. In my response, I said how Google is mentioning all these things that they are doing to increase gender diversity but that it isn't producing results however, based on this statement, it proves my claim wrong as it is producing results even if it is really slow. I actaully didn't use any outside reasearch in my response, which admittedly, I should have but now I know. Your response has been a good example for what I should do on my next post.
ReplyDeleteI agree on your point that it will take time to implement change into society. However I still strongly believe that bias is only a smaller part as to why the tech industry is male dominated. The main reason why it is male dominated is because of the lack of women actually going into these fields. While you provided percentages pertaining to the types of people working at these tech giants, you never mentioned the percentages of diverse peoples applying to these jobs. Google, and other companies like it, are not helping by teaching those who already work there, what they should be doing is encouraging and supporting people to go into this industry. Yes, change will take time, but if the proper steps to create change do not happen, then the cycle will simply continue.
ReplyDeleteI agree with all of your points. Progress is progress, even if it take years to complete. Our society is slowly changing when it comes to gender and race. The several comparisons you used to describe this change strengthens your point and adds a relatable topic for all of us. Your outside facts prove how much better an argument can be and is very noticeable in this piece of work. However, i don't think that this is the kind of illness that will completely go away. Scars of these actions will always remain.
ReplyDeleteJust like all the other comments, I love how you incorporated time, it truly made your post different and stand out from the rest. I like how instead of continuously talking about racism and sexism, you mentioned other random but relevant topics like illnesses for examples. Although I agree with your statement that "the key to success when it comes to almost anything is time," I want to point out that progress needs to be shown.
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