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The article, "Exposing Hidden Bias At Google" by Farhad Manjoo, addresses the concern of gender inequality at Google. The lack of diversity of male and female within a company is due to many factors, such as racism, sexism and hidden bias. People are aware of this ongoing problem and have attempted to fix it. However, how do we know if the efforts to improve diversity are working?
In an attempt to increase the amount of diversity at Google, they have had numerous workshops for their employees to attend. However, they don't have a set plan or goal. As said in the article, "Google is attacking the problem with its considerable resources and creativity. But it does not have a timeline for when the company's work force might become representative of the population, or whether it will ever get there." If Google doesn't have an estimated date where equality and diversity is reached, how do we know that they actually want to fix the problem? Just because they are trying to find a solution, doesn't mean it's making a difference.
In another attempt to increase the amount of awareness, Dr. Welle constructed a 90-minute lecture. As said by him in his training, "everyone is a little bit racist or sexist." Sadly, racism and sexism have become an every day habit in today's society. There are people whom you could classify as racist or sexist due to their blunt remarks. These people are told time and time again that they are racist or sexist. However, there are people who's comments go unnoticed, yet they are definitely racist or sexist. These people are the ones that do the most harm. It's called hidden bias.
Of the two attempts to improve diversity, did any work? There was no real evidence that workshops affected diversity at Google. However, there is evidence that Dr. Welle's lecture worked. The comments that went unnoticed were getting called on as hidden bias. Eventually, Google will be extremely diverse and so will society.
I especially like your points in paragraph 2. I'd like to see a little less summary and more opinion.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that we shouldn't just believe Google when they say they are "attacking the problem with its considerable resources and creativity." I believe they should have included evidence to show that their efforts for getting rid of sexism are improving the work environment for women at Google. Your line "people who's comments go unnoticed, yet they are definitely racist or sexist" is a great way to describe what they call hidden bias. "Hidden bias" is a term that emphasizes sexism by adding the keyword hidden.
ReplyDeleteI like how you pointed out the flaw contained in Google's new workshops. However, I would really like to know what you think should happen to them. Do you believe that if they continue the workshops there will be a gradual improvement on hidden biases or do you believe that the workshop should be replaced by a different method?
ReplyDeleteI also agree that that lack of diversity is due to things such as racism and hidden bias. However, I found that the lack of interest of technology also plays a major role. Women are not often found in the career fields of technology and science. The world of technology is in the need of more women. Companies such as Google need to increase the promotion of women in order to create a balance between both males and females.
ReplyDeleteI like how you incorporated quotes from the article to strengthen your point. I am also wondering how much the efforts are accomplishing. Your repetition of "racist and sexist" builds up your argument as well!
ReplyDeleteI liked how you incorporated hidden bias and addressed what it really is. In your claim, Dr. Welle is right though that "everyone is a little racist or sexist." In today's society, people don't realize that when they joke about a certain gender or ethnicity, they could be hurting someone else. For example, there are so many people on Vine who use their ethnicity as an advantage to make "funny" videos, when they could be really insulting someone or even some people.
ReplyDelete