I work as a programmer of sorts. In my previous role one of the (self appointed) Technical Lead's favourite phrases was "Anyone can do that".

He used that phrase a lot in "backlog grooming" meetings and other planning meetings. He used it do describe tasks like fixing a smallish bug or doing any Front End work. Work that was beneath any "real" programmer.

The Tech Lead was also a racist bully. All the "junior" developers on the project were in India and treated like shit. Many of them had technical skills and abilities the Tech Lead and many of his buddies who were "senior" devs and "team leaders" were lacking. All of them were producing quality work consistently.

Several "junior" developers were carrying their "seniors" by covering up their weaknesses, failings and stupidity. No "junior" developer in India had even the remotest chance of being promoted. They were all treated like shit by the majority of the "senior" devs and managers in the UK.

Thankfully the racist bully in my old job left of his own accord. So did some of the middle managers who sucked up to him left too. One "senior" dev who couldn't write code to save his life was "encouraged to hand in his notice". An Azure "expert" who didn't know how to switch branches in git without using a GUI went on leave and didn't come back.

Things did get a little better. Mistakes made by the tech lead and his buddies that had been festering for /years/ were acknowledged and finally corrected.

The "ways of working" was far better without a racist bully in charge. Junior devs were acknowledged and thanked for their work. They were given slightly more autonomy and they were listened to and even respected. Individual's skills were acknowledged and utilized. People were encouraged to cooperate with other "team" members and across teams.

It wasn't all good. There was still zero resources for training and development. There was still a racist / colonialist "them and us" attitude towards the Indian devs. They were still exploited as low paid labour at every opportunity.

None of the Indian junior devs were promoted within the project. They were not even considered when "senior" team members left the project or company.

I take a small amount of pride in how I conducted myself when working on the project. I did my best to stand up to the racist bully and his mates.

I made sure I praised the junior developers work both individually and in meetings. I definitely pushed back as hard as I possibly could against "anyone can do that".

I did my best to "mentor", "coach" and "upskill" (I hate those words) the junior devs both in regards to coding skills and "soft skills" (hate).

I encouraged the juniors to cooperate and within their teams and across teams. Dev and QA should not communicate via Jira tickets. Everyone should be able to ask questions and offer their help.

I deliberately introduced subversive humor into meetings. I tried to make people laugh and make them think at the same time. Dull boring sprint retrospective meetings where we listened to the Tech Lead bully everyone were made bearable when I sneaked a joke in when he wasn't paying attention. He didn't notice the joke was aimed at him either.

I enjoyed popping self-important peoples egos with jokes. So what if self-important individuals found that experience a little humiliating. Those bubbles need popping for the good of everyone else.

My most important contribution was that I made sure that the junior devs understood that the only way they would be properly respected and paid would be to quit for another job. I was overjoyed every time a "junior" told me they were getting a massive pay rise as part of their new job in another company.

I did everything I could to break down barriers of class and race on the project. I treated everyone as equals and respected their work and as individuals. I think everything I did helped individuals and the project as a whole, both technically and elsewhere.

Very senior managers for the company and client stated in meetings that things had improved on the project. I think I was part of that improvement, even when I was an avatar of subversion and anarchy. I know the quality of the FE code improved immensely too.

Its highly likely that any potential future employer for me reading this would file my application in the bin. That is what is wrong with IT and work in general. Being helpful and respectful towards everyone working alongside you is discouraged at every step, especially when managers are talking about "cross functional teams", "upskilling" and the like.

#work #anarchy #IT #KnowYouPlace #respect #race #class #Agile #colonalism #racism

@palestine

#Palestine
#WestBank
#FreePalestine
#Colonalism https://www.counterpunch.org/2024/12/23/israel-to-annex-the-west-bank-why-now-and-what-are-the-likely-scenarios/?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=topic/israel

Why Puerto Rico had an unexpectedly high rate of deaths last year - Washington Post
https://archive.ph/Aggju

#PuertoRico #Colonalism

#Colonalism’s #legacy seen in #marriage #debate

Some #Anglicans are debating whether an attitude of #superiority continues to affect the Communion’s wealthier Western provinces in discussions on #samesexmarriage, despite explicit #condemnations of #colonialism in a statement by #Lambeth #bishops that deals, among other things, with #samesex #unions

#Women #Transgender #LGBTQIA #Africa #UK #Religion #Hate #Bigotry #Discrimination #Homophobia #Transphobia #EmptyThePews
https://anglicanjournal.com/colonalisms-legacy-seen-in-marriage-debate/

The Rwandan designer Matthew Rugamba (born in the UK) is creating a dress code for the modern African man. He believes #Colonalism was a big part of #AfricanHistory & has had an impact on how Africans function as societies today. He feels there's a need to create a new image & outlook. He wishes to combine Western/traditional British tailoring & #AfricanFashion as it's part of his identity
#BlackMastodon #BlackBritan #BlackTwitter #Menswear #Africa #Fashion #Diversity

https://www.dw.com/en/the-new-dress-code-for-the-modern-african-man/video-63953888