So, IT (and programming) are both heavily white male industries in the West.
One time on Bird App, there were a bunch of educated Black folk comiserating together that they couldnt get a foot in the door despite having education and experience.
A white dude, managerial level, came into the comments section saying he would be a reference for who needed it. Just DM him. He was tired of The System.
That's on that Ally shit right there. 👌🏿
@BlackMastodon #blackmastodon #blackfedi
@BlackMastodon
Obviously, be careful and do your research as a White person offering a leg up and a POC person receiving that leg up in the business world.
But when a White person, especially a White person in power vouches for you in the business world, I've found all of a sudden doors fly open for you.
Its wild. 🤔
But offer to mentor a POC/Black. Offer to review a resume. Offer to put in a word for them. Mention their name and their work.
THAT is REAL ally shit.
#blackmastodon #blackfedi
@BlackMastodon
(I lost my train of thought. But the thought is back. 😃)
Basically:
- Any White person can give a Black/POC person a leg up. Get creative. Talk to friends and family. You dont have to 'be in power' like a CEO.
- Connect them to people you know in their field.
- Offer to mentor. ASK if they want industry info shared with them. (Don't just assume they don't know. Make it a conversation.)
- For Kids: Big Brothers/Big Sisters is a thing. Suggest careers and LISTEN.
#blackmastodon
@BlackMastodon
I stumbled into knowing White people with connections. And I think my teachers and professionals saw me as 'different'.
(I had an autistic hyper focus on Quantum/Theoretical physics so I think I stood out in my '"inner city" school?)
They thought I was going to be the next great Black Physicist so they helped me. But Black/POC people who ARENT looking to be CEOs or cure Cancer or solve the Darkmatted riddle deserve help.
And White folks you have the power to help.
#blackmastodon
@BlackMastodon
I mean... White folks (or people in general) only helping kids/adults with "obvious promise" to be the next CEO of something is a lot to unpack, and that takes energy.
IMO legislation wont fix employers seeing a Black name & throwing a resume away. (technically illegal.)
To protect from discrimination, a person would have to raise a legal challenge. These laws dont kick in by themselves.🙄
It's up to us working together. ➡️White ppl leverage your privilege!⬅️
#blackmastodon
@jtphillipsmnr @BlackMastodon I always try to help people such as I can, I don't work anymore due to disability but I did years billing for an auto shop so I've been happy to sanity check repair estimates for people. Some shops are predatory especially if they perceive you as a woman, and I don't doubt that extends to non-white customers too.
My boss could be a dick at times but he didn't allow any of that shit.
BlackPixelDust: Art 
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