Disqus - Latest Comments for sunnygrrl

Re: Mignon Clyburn becomes the First Woman, First African-American to Head the FCC

sunnygrrl — Thu, 23 May 2013 08:17:35 -0000

Great news. However, Clyburn is not the first African American to hold the post. She is preceded by Michael Powell and William J. Kennard.

Re: Surprise! Silicon Valley Doesn’t Employ Minorities

sunnygrrl — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 12:57:58 -0000

Wow, very disturbing statement from Wadhwa. First, it's common practice when people of color complain about lily-white spaces that this idea of "meritocracy" is invoked. This is problematic, as it assumes that the complainants are "unqualified" minorities looking for a hand-out. Second, it obscures the ways in which having access to certain networks actually...works. Third, it absolves companies of the responsibility, if they are in fact looking to be the most innovative, to seek out people, ideas, and resources that will help them achieve that.

I have encountered the same arguments in higher education--that minorities aren't in certain rarefied spaces because qualified ones just don't exist. Quite simply, it's a cop-out. Companies have a responsibility and an obligation to seek out the best. This means looking for people they might not "see" (darn that whole invisibility/hypervisibility that affects us minorities). It means going into places that they do not normally go. It means speaking with folks who do not come from their own well-connected spaces (networks). Companies have to do the leg-work. Invoking meritocracy before retreating into a cozy cocoon of whiteness is just lazy.

Although Wadhwa concedes that "false stereotypes" may be a problem in the Valley, his statement does not go far enough, and really, is undermined by his raising of the Affirmative Action issue.

Another issue that was raised in this article by not adequately addressed is one of cost of living in the area and population shifts. The numbers might also be lower because there are fewer blacks and latinos living in the Valley areas. Another issue that should be raised is the reluctance of some folks to step outside of their comfort zones and relocate for employment. Lots of responsibility to go around.

I do agree with Angela that we need to start forming networks that are about providing support, mentoring, education, and access to resources.

Thanks for starting the conversation.

Sonya Donaldson
Editor-at-Large, Technology
Black Enterprise Magazine

Ph.D. Candidate, English Language and Literature
University of Virginia

Re: A Little Known Way To Motivate And Inspire Yourself Into Action Today

sunnygrrl — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 08:06:11 -0000

Corvida, really good piece. I actually started my blog to help with writer's block while working on my dissertation. Recently, I hit another block and have just been talking--into a recorder. I might have ideas that are not full formed and perhaps not ready for conversation, let along a blog post. I can listen to what I've said and get an mp3 and transcript. It's sort of my audio version of a mind map.

Re: Florida Man Builds Network to Connect Haitian Quake Victims, Loved Ones Around the Globe

sunnygrrl — Thu, 14 Jan 2010 16:21:19 -0000

Awesome. This really shows the power of tech and how it can work for us. Excellent piece.

Re: HP WebCam Software Ships With A Racial Flaw, How Would You Respond?

sunnygrrl — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 10:05:42 -0000

the absence of racial profiling? ;-)

Re: Socrates, Galileo, Voltaire, The Three Stooges, and Other Giants in Social Media History

sunnygrrl — Thu, 04 Sep 2008 01:40:29 -0000

I think Machiavelli would definitely be on my list.