Wow, so many insightful comments here. I'm a black engineer and can relate to a lot of what was said in the article. However, I learned early on not to compromise myself to try to fit in. Instead, I knew the importance embracing one's cultural community and always sought out like-minded and like-cultured groups with which to associate, as was suggested by Woodson in the "Mis-Education of the Negro."
Upon entering the workforce, it was much harder to find that sense of community, so I started a black social network in my spare time so that I could still have that exposure. During the day, the only other black person I saw at my job for 6 years was the janitor. And I had a better relationship with him than the people I actually worked with...
My perspective is that it's much more enjoyable and easier to thrive in a culturally homogeneous environment. And that it's challenging to be a token member of a culturally diverse environment.
A decade of being a minority in technology has crystallized my opinion on the matter; I don't believe that taking a homogeneous group and tossing in a few minorities is the best way to embrace diversity.
Instead, I am a proponent of encouraging the creation of a diverse set of culturally homogeneous groups. And yes, I realize that what I'm suggesting is basically segregation. The difference is subtle, but all the issues Erica lists in her article can be addressed by this shift in diversity strategy.
To paraphrase: As a black person, I would rather be part of a mostly-black team/company than be one of the few black faces in a mostly-non-black team/company.
Upon entering the workforce, it was much harder to find that sense of community, so I started a black social network in my spare time so that I could still have that exposure. During the day, the only other black person I saw at my job for 6 years was the janitor. And I had a better relationship with him than the people I actually worked with...
My perspective is that it's much more enjoyable and easier to thrive in a culturally homogeneous environment. And that it's challenging to be a token member of a culturally diverse environment.
A decade of being a minority in technology has crystallized my opinion on the matter; I don't believe that taking a homogeneous group and tossing in a few minorities is the best way to embrace diversity.
Instead, I am a proponent of encouraging the creation of a diverse set of culturally homogeneous groups. And yes, I realize that what I'm suggesting is basically segregation. The difference is subtle, but all the issues Erica lists in her article can be addressed by this shift in diversity strategy.
To paraphrase: As a black person, I would rather be part of a mostly-black team/company than be one of the few black faces in a mostly-non-black team/company.