> "Underrepresentation does not equal racism" is also a great idea to cite - who cares about one's representation?
It does not 'equal' racism, but then again I don't want to even use the word "racism" in a discussion unless I'm 100% confident everybody agrees on the definition. All too often in discussions like this, I encounter people who have their own pet definitions for the meaning of words like "equality" and "freedom" and "racism/racist."
Now I'm guessing you are posting a rhetorical question, but I'll answer it as if you have an open mind and want to hear from people with a diversity of viewpoints. I don't measure results by representation, but I care deeply about removing obstacles to equal representation
> Profits are what matters
To you. Not to me. Or at least, not more than equality of opportunity.
I think "racism" is a really toxic word. Just hearing the word, I think of Klan rallies, Bull Connor with firehoses, lynch mobs etc. So when somebody accuses some one else of racism, it seems ridiculous because no sane person alive supports those things. And if you are called a racist, it's natural to get defensive.
The words "prejudice" and "bias," however, are not nearly as emotionally charged, and it's possible to interrogate the situation more rationally.
He gives the example of Arrington not knowing any black entrepreneurs. I highly doubt it's because he's a member of the KKK. However, it's extremely possible that he has unconscious biases that make it less likely he will meet or remember black entrepreneurs.
If you accept that hypothesis for a moment, you can start brainstorming solutions. But if you just say he's a racist, the only solution is to stop hating people of color. What?!
I wrote something emotionally charged on HN a while back. I honestly don't remember what I wrote, but I remember that another contributor replied something along the lines of "That metaphor/phrase/word sucks all the oxygen out of the discussion."
> I care deeply about removing obstacles to equal representation
Depending on the costs to removing such obstacles (if there are any), I might agree (ie if it's cheap enough), but even then I have my doubts about mandatory equality and the danger it represent for efficiency.
Humans being are a different bunch, with their own interest and abilities. I don't want to have "equal representation" in something I suck at/don't care about, because it would bring less efficiency.
I guess if you follow your idea, you start campaigning for the size of NBA players to reflect the natural gaussian of the population - and then their weight too.
But 5' 200 lbs players might be less efficient and make the matches less interesting.
> > Profits are what matters
> To you. Not to me. Or at least, not more than equality of opportunity.
Then we have differing opinions. Equal opportunities exist. Equal representation is a slippery slope. It will damage efficiency and profits.
You have a point, but you go too far. Even in the US, there is no equal opportunity. Just because you, as a white male, don't see any problems for a minority to have the same chances you do does not make this the reality.
It is a tricky subject to be sure, and I too would be nervous about how to actually deal with this problem instead of doing "feel good" work (i.e. "nothing is fixed but we feel that we're doing something!").
I guess my take would be that small businesses be exempt from most rules as they're too small to make a huge impact anyway and are not very likely to ever get very big. Large companies, on the other hand aren't efficient anyway so it's fine to impose all sorts of things on them while trying to address the very real inequality problems.
It does not 'equal' racism, but then again I don't want to even use the word "racism" in a discussion unless I'm 100% confident everybody agrees on the definition. All too often in discussions like this, I encounter people who have their own pet definitions for the meaning of words like "equality" and "freedom" and "racism/racist."
Now I'm guessing you are posting a rhetorical question, but I'll answer it as if you have an open mind and want to hear from people with a diversity of viewpoints. I don't measure results by representation, but I care deeply about removing obstacles to equal representation
> Profits are what matters
To you. Not to me. Or at least, not more than equality of opportunity.
http://raganwald.posterous.com/the-keep