shandydann
Aug 8, 2017 · 2 min read

Every few years we need to have a chat about diversity and how important that is.

Every few years I manage to still be astounded at the tone deaf comments surrounding each instance of a male programmer complaining about diversity bias. But it’s to be expected. Our industry tends to end up in a bubble. We hire based on our own experiences and who we think we will be comfortable working with. That’s human.

What’s not good is when we follow that hiring bias through and build a mono culture. Which is what white privilege is. We are used to our comfy boxes. We don’t want to think outside that box.

I’ll be honest I never grew up in that box. It’s why I agree with other women when they say we need to start teaching STEM at a younger age. We need to encourage children to enjoy coding. We also need to be supportive of their goals when they are teens.

I knew from the age of 12 that I wanted to do Computer Science. My father an engineer encouraged me. Even when I had male classmates accusing me of copying what they wanted to do at a careers talk. Incidentally this also introduced me to my first male ally, who then pointed out I’d been talking about doing Computing for ages and could his best friend please pull his head in?

It’s why products like Raspberry Pi are awesome. They help to foster the next generation of critical thinkers in science.

One thing that does cheer me up is that Bytemark, a UK Hosting provider decided to start blind hiring its employees. They were painfully aware of how non diverse they were. To be fair they are based in York, but you see the point. We need reminders of companies like Bytemark who acknowledge the privilege that they grew up with. We need to encourage companies who try and hire people based on skill not their bias.

Whenever yet another breathtaking incident like this happens, I remember people like Bytemark. It’s why I am happy using their services, (they are also very good at their job).

 by the author.

    shandydann

    Written by

    Personable mostly polite and friendly!