Community Post #1: Exposing Hidden Bias at Google
Ever since the beginning of time, the men in the world have dominated our society, taking on business, sports and other areas of expertise, leaving little or no room for women to go into these areas of work. The lack of diversity in these major companies have caused women to face the problematic issues of discrimination and injustice.
Farhad Manjoo, the author of the article "Exposing Hidden Bias at Google" writes about the discrimination of gender and race as he compares the statistics found. The article states that "over all, seven out of ten people who work at Google are male. Men make up 3 percent of Google's engineering employees and 79 percent of its managers. "By looking at the demographics of the employees, one can immediately see the great significance of the number of male employees to those of women. Based on preconceived notions of women and their ability to only complete the straightforward tasks, men still do not see women being on even grounds as them concerning things such as capabilities and education.
Google's lack of diversity is not completely their fault as to the lack of interest of computer technology. To improve the diversity with the company, Google has sponsored programs in order to promote it to women. Other attempts made include the workshops being set up in order to to change the variety of gender and race. "And so they are undertaking a long-term effort to improve these numbers, the centerpiece of which is a series of workshops aimed at making Google’s culture more accepting of diversity."The simplest things and efforts can make the biggest impact. With a more diversity in the company, it provides a perspective s from not only one mind, but hundreds, with different views and takes which all could be affected by my gender, race and culture.
The hidden bias is to be defined as "reflexive preferences that shape most people's world views, and that can profoundly affect how welcoming and open a workplace is to different people and ideas." Hidden bias are to be found all around, which isn't something to be noticed quite often. As they constantly show up in our daily lives, we can sometimes be accustomed to not even seeing it. Because it is so natural, we don't even notice it. But because of the bias and discrimination within the technology companies such as Google, conflicts concerning the diversity of employees are coming to view as it must come to an end, where companies and not a majority of males.
I think you're right when you say men have dominated extensively outside the workplace. When you say that, I think about Track and Cross Country, it seems as if male dominates these sports. Their standard times are set a lot higher than woman. It makes me think about how nature is kind of saying men and better than women. Although I'm primarily relating this to sports, I think the workplace and many other places then sports. Men aren't better than women. People should see the equality between both genders and try to fix their bias behavior. Gender is not a qualification, skill is. I think both men and women are able to share the same skills, but it's that men seem to take more interest in job areas like technology. It is great that these companies are funding programs to fund people of different race and gender to explore these fields. With more women and people of different backgrounds, it's comes to show that it is not a white man's world, but a world for everyone.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Jennifer. Your response made me thinking of other places that may also be a male dominant "society". I also was able to realize that gender inequality is in our daily lives and many people ignore it or don't recognize it. For example, today is witnessed a couple of boys yelling "PDA" and laughing as a girl and boy practiced their dance routine which involved a little physical contact. At the time, I too was giggling because of the boys reaction. However, I realize now that it was a part of gender inequality or gender racism.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that this social bias we see in society, has become so common, and appears so often that many people disregard it. Like you said "since the beginning of time, the men in the world have dominated our society," this has led to unconscious recurring events or even just comments that might not be meant with any malice but the underlying sexist tones are still at work. Common expressions include "man up," which imply that men are superior than women. Contrary to this is "you fight like a girl" being a girl isn't an insult, but in this context it's meant as one.
ReplyDeleteI found your response interesting to read, and I like the point you made that male domination leaves women with no where to go. Though I have a question, do you think men becoming aware of the unconscious bias is humbling them? Do you think that men unconsciously see themselves as naturally better than women?
ReplyDeleteIn my opinon, I do believe that men ofen unconsciously see themselves as naturally better than women. For example during the time of Medieval Europe, family was centered around the husband, in wich the wife has to obey her husband. The wife would be beaten or kicked if she defys her husband. The man of the household would hold the most power, letting themselves beieve that they ae superior.
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