It's all about self-awareness. People often don't realize what they're doing and how it's affecting others around them. Unconscious bias is a perfect example of this. It was expressed throughout the article that although unconscious bias is hard to break, it is still breakable. I think that it's necessary to intently monitor what one might say, what kind of tone it gives off to someone, and what possible outcomes can result from what is said.
In the article, "Exposing Hidden Bias at Google," Manjoo talks of how men unintentionally bash on women in the work place. Behavior similar to that is what causes women to feel uncomfortable during their normal work day. Unconscious bias was verbally apparent multiple times through out the article. On one account, men were deciding the fate of a female worker on whether she should be hired or not and it was brought to their attention that they should take into consideration the effect of women's roles, while having the mindset of a man. They then realized what kind of performance skills women obtained and how they differ from what men have to offer after they were aware of the affect of the long lasting bias in the world.
It is true that everybody is a little bit racist and/or sexist and it would be difficult for anyone to prove otherwise. It's just the way America was raised. America tries to appear as a place that is equal for all, but the majority of the way Americans behave portray otherwise.
Even such a large company like Google is trying to change their ways of non-diversity, but are they really trying? Many efforts such as sponsoring programs and conscientious research was put into place but they still did not get as far as most people would think. Men still make up 83% of the employees of Google and 79% of males make up the managers which is a ridiculously uneven number. Although it is understandable that it is difficult to just pick and choose employees from a melting pot of race and gender, but if one of the richest and renowned companies do not quite succeed to be diverse with it's employees while trying hard to do so, how could it be obtainable for anyone?
Natalie, I really like how you revealed the truth about bias and discrimination in America. It is true, America, home of the free and the brave, may be a little too free if people judge overtly and unconsciously. Especially in a large cooperation such as Google in which innovation in technology is encouraged but gender diversity is not.
ReplyDeleteI respect that you expressed your voice about the reality of unconscious bias and I agree with your statement that everybody is a little racist and/or sexist. I might even add to that that not everyone is willing to acknowledge this. My question to you is: What do you mean by, "It's just the way America was raised?"
ReplyDeleteGreat questions posed.
ReplyDeleteI agree with your statement of google being a large company and your question of how if they cant do it, who can. It brings up an extremely important question and issue. I also wonder, how long has google been trying to fix their problem of the uneven amounts between males and females? If such a big company like google has been trying to reach an equal level for so long, yet cannot succeed. How will smaller companies be able to do the same with more limited resources and shorter time periods?
ReplyDeleteI agree with your opening statement about how it is about self-awareness. I find it ironic how in an age with social media sites such as Google, where we should be more self conscious about our social image, we let this slip from our thoughts. I think they are trying to change things but don't think that it would be necessarily for the better. I think they are trying to uphold this image of equality but no mention was given as to if the company's work productivity is affected by this.
ReplyDeleteI agree with what you said about people needing to be aware of what they say and how they say it. Most people just blurt out the first thing that comes to mind. With people doing this others may take offense to what was said. I also do not think that these big companies are doing everything they can to stop this harassment. I do not think that "America was raised" in such a biased judgmental way.
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