Black in Tech

Interview with a Tech Professional

What forms of racial discrimination have you faced?

Growing up in Seattle, I dealt with both microaggressions – subtle and pointed -- and flat out, in-your-face kinds of discrimination. As an adult, this has only continued. Once at a major tech conference in San Francisco, I got surprised looks while trying to network. Like who was I, masquerading as a tech professional, when I was clearly just a waiter or some other member of the support staff?

Have you faced any challenges in education, employment, housing, or healthcare based on your race?

The truth is, I face challenges all the time. Once, when I was applying for a job with a tech startup, the interviewer hinted I might not "fit the culture." This was despite my qualifications and track record. It was frankly another way of saying I didn’t look like everyone else on the team. Once, while I was checking in at a dinner event where I’d been invited to serve on a panel, the organizers insisted I show my company ID. They wanted to be sure I was who I said I was. I couldn’t help but notice they didn’t ask my white and Indian colleagues to show theirs.

Assumptions about ability, intelligence, and thus opportunity are often skewed when it comes to those who are black especially when they come from low socioeconomic status backgrounds. With my excellent educational foundation, I have been privileged in many ways. This does not mean that I am immune to biases. either on the street, or in the workplace.

Has the discrimination you’ve faced affected your sense of identity and belonging?

Being in a predominantly white industry, I pretty much feel an outlier all the time. Casual comments, like a recent one in my company’s cafeteria, to the tune of, "You're probably the first black coder I've met," unfriendly-sounding to boot, make me acutely aware of my blackness and of the industry's lack of diversity. It made me feel pretty unwelcome.

How have you responded to incidents of racial discrimination?

When I get mistaken for a junior employee, I calmly explain what my job title and responsibilities are. At networking events, I use humor to defuse tension. Like if someone asks me to serve them a drink, I say, “With or without API?” or “Breadcrumbs?” Calmy educating people -- and creating dialogue – work the best.

Have you experienced any instances of systemic racism or structural inequality? For blacks working in tech, opportunities for growth can sometimes feel limited. Once, when I expressed interest in enrolling in an advanced machine learning program, my manager suggested the curriculum might be "too advanced" for me. I mean, really! I do have a masters in computer science from an Ivy League school. They’re pretty picky about who they let in.

What communities or organizations have you turned to for support? Groups that celebrate blackness in tech have been great. As we all network and share personal and professional stories, I get to witness the successes of people just like me – and at the same time acknowledge my own. AfroTech is a great example. Their annual conference brings together hundreds of innovative black techies. Every time I attend, I come back more determined to stand behind myself, and to support others in the journey to achieve and be recognized.

How do you navigate the intersectionality of race and other aspects of your identity?

Being a black male in tech means confronting racial and industry stereotypes. Every project, meeting, or networking event can be an opportunity to challenge and redefine people’s negative assumptions about who you are and what you’re capable of. As a male in a male-dominated industry, I still have somewhat of an advantage.

What efforts have you seen or been part of to combat racial discrimination?

Beyond personal encounters, I've participated in mentorship programs that guide young black techies in preparing for and pursuing their professional goals. I’ve also been part of diversity hiring initiatives that work to ensure the industry becomes more and more inclusive.

What steps can be taken to create a more inclusive environment?

In the tech sphere, hiring based on skill, as opposed to based on so-called cultural fit, is essential. Companies should commit to creating diverse internships and inclusive training programs that give those from lower socio-economic status backgrounds a fair chance.

Beyond this, they all need to promote, instead of avoid, open dialogue. This would not just be about race and ethnicity, but about gender identity, ableism, and other stereotypes that are consciously or unconsciously used to marginalize certain groups.

Author's Bio

The interviewee is 32 years old and lives and works for a large tech company in Silicon Valley. He is an avid cyclist who can often be found on long bike rides around the Pearson-Arastradero Preserve and Mount Hamilton.