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Y Combinator to recruit more black entrepreneurs

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Re: Y Combinator to recruit more black entrepreneurs

#11

Post by chc »

Stefanrio wrote: post #4
edw519 wrote: post #3

One of the things I love so much about being in the high tech world is its natural tendency for a (more) level playing field. It shouldn't (and often doesn't) matter what you look like, where you came from, or who you are. What really matters is the value produced for others by what you do . This sounds like a great step in promoting that property to those who may not have experienced it before. I have a feeling it m…

> It shouldn't (and often doesn't) matter what you look like So why exactly do they need to recruit more black people? Instead of like, everyone?

Because the world is not an infinite plane of uniform density. Being a successful entrepreneur is achievable regardless of race, but the same opportunities are not presented with equal availability to everyone.

Re: Y Combinator to recruit more black entrepreneurs

#12

Post by [deleted] »

dethstar wrote: post #8
Stefanrio wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> It shouldn't (and often doesn't) matter what you look like So why exactly do they need to recruit more black people? Instead of like, everyone?

Because "like, everyone" (aka people in the demographic they have supported as of now) often have had more chances/advantages in their lives. Listening to some ideas from people with different backgrounds couldn't hurt.

[deleted]

Re: Y Combinator to recruit more black entrepreneurs

#13

Post by thedaveoflife »

Stefanrio wrote: post #4
edw519 wrote: post #3

One of the things I love so much about being in the high tech world is its natural tendency for a (more) level playing field. It shouldn't (and often doesn't) matter what you look like, where you came from, or who you are. What really matters is the value produced for others by what you do . This sounds like a great step in promoting that property to those who may not have experienced it before. I have a feeling it m…

> It shouldn't (and often doesn't) matter what you look like So why exactly do they need to recruit more black people? Instead of like, everyone?

Your question is answered in the article: YC is interested in making money and they seem to believe that having more diverse founders will help them do that.

Re: Y Combinator to recruit more black entrepreneurs

#14

Post by rewind »

newaccountfool wrote: post #9

Surely Y Combinator should just recruit people that do the job the best, whether they are white,black..etc

I'm pretty sure that "recruit", in this context, means "expose to Y Combinator and encourage to apply if they have a good idea", not "give them a higher chance of being accepted because they are black".

Re: Y Combinator to recruit more black entrepreneurs

#16

Post by viiralvx »

newaccountfool wrote: post #9

Surely Y Combinator should just recruit people that do the job the best, whether they are white,black..etc

. . . More diversity within YCombinator means more diversity of thought. If you have everybody who is physically and culturally similar within a company, or in this case accelerator, then creativity suffers. Also, it's a step in improving this racial gap within the tech industry.

Re: Y Combinator to recruit more black entrepreneurs

#17

Post by canadaj »

newaccountfool wrote: post #9

Surely Y Combinator should just recruit people that do the job the best, whether they are white,black..etc

Yes, they should and they are now. I think that Y Combinator understands that by not taking these steps, they are possible excluding people who may be the best candidate for the job. Y Combinator is simply extending it's reach with the intention of including more diverse groups of people, not giving preferential treatment to those groups. They are simply opening up a bigger umbrella.

Re: Y Combinator to recruit more black entrepreneurs

#18

Post by ErikRogneby »

lulzwat1111 wrote: post #10
edw519 wrote: post #3

One of the things I love so much about being in the high tech world is its natural tendency for a (more) level playing field. It shouldn't (and often doesn't) matter what you look like, where you came from, or who you are. What really matters is the value produced for others by what you do . This sounds like a great step in promoting that property to those who may not have experienced it before. I have a feeling it m…

>>It shouldn't (and often doesn't) matter what you look like, where you came from, or who you are. Then why are they giving black people preferential treatment? Mind blowing.

Because white people get preferential treatment every god damn day. Either you acknowledge race and gender or you go through great pains to take it out of the equation.

A good friend of mine is a female french horn player. Orchestras sometimes do auditions behind a screen with the applicants names anonymous to the jury. This is to counteract the sexism that exists in classical music, particularly in the brass sections.

My understanding is that YCombinator is very hands on and demo days are done in person? The person is judged, not just the product.

Re: Y Combinator to recruit more black entrepreneurs

#20

Post by canadaj »

lulzwat1111 wrote: post #10
edw519 wrote: post #3

One of the things I love so much about being in the high tech world is its natural tendency for a (more) level playing field. It shouldn't (and often doesn't) matter what you look like, where you came from, or who you are. What really matters is the value produced for others by what you do . This sounds like a great step in promoting that property to those who may not have experienced it before. I have a feeling it m…

>>It shouldn't (and often doesn't) matter what you look like, where you came from, or who you are. Then why are they giving black people preferential treatment? Mind blowing.

Where are you getting the idea that preferential treatment is being given? Y Combinator is opening it's umbrella to include more diverse walks of life, not giving any group preferential treatment.
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