AfroPython @ Porto Alegre
The AfroPython was one of the most incredible and relevant initiatives I have had the opportunity to attend! Information technology professionals and students’ teach the principles of the Python programming language for African-american people, but everyone is welcome. In Brazil it is very common that in educational places the majority of people is white-skinned, so it is hard to feel like you belong there. Maybe one of the most important things on this experience was the sensation of belonging a safe place. I was not the only dark-skinned person in the room, I did not felt observed and I was not worried about being misunderstood, after all, everyone there knew how it is the daily life of a dark-skinned person.
The event happened on Saturday, November 25 and ADP was a supporter. This made me proud of working in a company engaged in social causes and movements. 30 participants were present in this first session and many monitors organized the event during 4 months, the result was EXCELLENT!
Although 56% of men and 53% of women identify themselves as black in Brazil, these numbers are not reflected in the job market, in the media, and in places with a social class cut. It is also a population that suffers with violence, every 100 murders in the country, 71 are with blacks, who also are majority in the chains.
“I participated in many IT inclusion events but it was my first time attending an empowerment event for African-american. As a skin color woman, I always missed an event like this, so it was a huge achievement to be part of it. I cried when I saw everyone learning or teaching the programming languages, I also cried for hearing every report of preconcept or difficulty that a colleague passed just by the color of his skin. I believe it was very important, we exist with resistance and there are space in the technology area for everybody.” Said an associate that also participated, but as a monitor.
During the day day we had a few breaks for snacks for networking with people from areas of technology, communications, and recruitment, self-experiences talks and empowering messages.
At the end of the event we made a “fishbowl moment”. Four chairs were positioned in front of the audience and three candidates used them. There is always one available chair. The dynamics worked as a cycle of speeches. Many exciting and inspiring stories have been heard with open hearts.
We still had a “after” moment in a Pub Coffee to connect more each one and make new friends. After this amazing event I am grateful for the chance to meet so many amazing people.
(Pictures by Daniela Araújo)
