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Silicon Valley and Black Coders: Howard University fights to join the tech boom

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Re: Silicon Valley and Black Coders: Howard University fights to join the tech boom

#491

Post by lectrick »

norea-armozel wrote: post #382
lectrick wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think they're more looking for a sign that you had an early and therefore natural curiosity to tinker with the mechanisms in the world. Not "CS" per se, but just... computer tinkering. If your family couldn't afford a computer, IMHO, if you at least, say, took a clock or motor apart or something, that would be a good indicator, too. By the way, this has been brought up as the reason for the dropoff in the women who…

I never had any distinct interest in computer science. My original interests were physics and art. In fact, I would say those are still my strengths over all. But I went into CS after I found it interesting in regards to what a person can do with a computer with little effort (in as much as the tools involved).

I think physics and art are nearly the perfect potential sources of a good programmer

Re: Silicon Valley and Black Coders: Howard University fights to join the tech boom

#492

Post by zanek »

solaris_2 wrote: post #480
dang wrote: post #379

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Yes, I always walk around with my head in the sand too. That crosses into personal attack, and you can't comment like that here. On HN, please post civilly and substantively or not at all. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newswelcome.html

I'm not attacking him/her and I hope it wasn't interpreted that way but that is a ridiculous statement by any POC in the United States to make. See dcole2929's response regarding the incredulity of that statement. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10949198

Yeah, how dare my life contradict your perceptions of what my life should be like since I share the same skin color. I think are tons of people just like me. I hungout with a diverse group in high school and college. Just where do you think this open racism had to happen at. It's certainly not happening at most companies or schools these days. That covers most of people's lives. Also I think you and Dcole our out there if you think EVERY person of color has to had been openly discriminated against. You're projecting your experience onto millions of people. How ridiculous is that. I know some people have openly racist experiences but it's hilarious that you think there is no other experience in the USA other than that

Re: Silicon Valley and Black Coders: Howard University fights to join the tech boom

#493

Post by allengeorge »

fennecfoxen wrote: post #124
hueving wrote: post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes, this is the main reason. A startup is a much larger gamble for someone on a visa.

I'd think it runs the other way: a visa is a much larger gamble for someone running a startup.

Both are true.

My former company (AeroFS) was one of the few I'm aware of that was willing to hire good talent even if it required a visa.

Also, I think that asking someone from India (taking that country as an example) to move to the US for less than market wage to toss the dice on a startup is... a challenge. That startup is less marketable on their resume than BigCorp if they want to return to India and get hired by another company or join an outsourcing company.

Re: Silicon Valley and Black Coders: Howard University fights to join the tech boom

#494

Post by redwolfb14 »

yummyfajitas wrote: post #440
KingMob wrote: post #285

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You're mistaken if you assume that going to Howard means they somehow have less experience with diversity than being in Silicon Valley. Black people, just by virtue of being a minority in America, are exposed to white people and culture at way higher rates than the reverse. In fact, a major point of going to a historically black college is to get a bit of a "break" from the dominant culture.

Why does one need a "break" from a culture? I'm in India right now, live here 1/3 of the year, and have lived here extensively in the past. I don't need a "break". I don't need some "critical mass" of firangi around me. As a person who is willing to adapt to the world around me, that's all just a bunch of silliness. From what you say, it sounds as if many Howard students are less willing to adapt. That's fine. But it…

I hear this sort of thing often enough that I need to reply. In general Asians claim that race or discrimination isn't the issue. That most of the issue falls to education and work ethic unfortunately i've come across quite a few very racist Indians and Asian people to be sure. In-fact not only do they tend to be very racist and large in parcel hold onto stereotypical tropes but they are also very classist.

I say this as a black carribean man married to a chinese woman. It's truly a shame as some of the behavior I've seen meted out shouldn't be coming from these groups.

Re: Silicon Valley and Black Coders: Howard University fights to join the tech boom

#495

Post by redwolfb14 »

natrius wrote: post #442
xaa wrote: post #204

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Isn't it interesting how "people of color" is a common self-designation for (most frequently) black people, whereas "colored people", literally synonymous, is considered offensive? Of course there are valid historical reasons for it, but many people (probably including GP) don't know about them. The euphemism treadmill can get quite exhausting.

"Colored" isn't offensive, it's just old-fashioned. Words become old-fashioned all the time.

Colored is in-fact very offensive and I wouldn't use it around a person of color.

Re: Silicon Valley and Black Coders: Howard University fights to join the tech boom

#496

Post by zanek »

solaris_2 wrote: post #480
dang wrote: post #379

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Yes, I always walk around with my head in the sand too. That crosses into personal attack, and you can't comment like that here. On HN, please post civilly and substantively or not at all. https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html https://news.ycombinator.com/newswelcome.html

I'm not attacking him/her and I hope it wasn't interpreted that way but that is a ridiculous statement by any POC in the United States to make. See dcole2929's response regarding the incredulity of that statement. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=10949198

Also, your statement is so completely idiotic I actually laughed out loud. What else in your narrow view does every POC have to have experienced ? Do I have to love rap music ? Do I have to have used the N word ?

If you can't see how idiotic your statement is, I feel sorry for you

Re: Silicon Valley and Black Coders: Howard University fights to join the tech boom

#497

Post by natrius »

redwolfb14 wrote: post #495
natrius wrote: post #442

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Colored" isn't offensive, it's just old-fashioned. Words become old-fashioned all the time.

Colored is in-fact very offensive and I wouldn't use it around a person of color.

Everyone's different, but as a black person, it doesn't offend me at all.
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