Suggest modification to this talk

Title

Description

It's been scientifically proven that more diverse communities and workplaces create better products and the solutions to difficult problems are more complete and diverse themselves. Companies are struggling to find adequate talent. So why do we see so few women, people of color, and LGBTQ people at our events and on the about pages of our websites? Even more curiously, why do 60% of women leave the tech industry within 10 years? Why are fewer women choosing to pursue computer science and related degrees than ever before? Why have stories of active discouragement, dismissal, harassment, or worse become regular news?

In this talk we'll examine the causes behind the lack of diversity in our communities, events, and workplaces. We'll discuss what we can do as community members, event organizers, and co-workers to not only combat this problem, but to encourage positive change by contributing to an atmosphere of inclusivity.

Objectives:

Educate about the lack of diversity and why it is a problem
Examine what is contributing to both the pipeline issue as well as attrition
Isolate what is and isn't working
Inspire direct action by examining our own behavior and learning more about the people around us so we can empathize better

Help us caption & translate this video!

http://amara.org/v/FG8k/

Date

Summarized using AI?

If this talk's summary was generated by AI, please check this box. A "Summarized using AI" badge will be displayed in the summary tab to indicate that the summary was generated using AI.

Show "Summarized using AI" badge on summary page

Summary

Markdown supported

The video titled "Programming Diversity" features Ashe Dryden discussing the critical issue of underrepresentation and lack of diversity in the tech industry. The presentation highlights how more diverse communities lead to better products and solutions, yet barriers still prevent women, people of color, and LGBTQ individuals from thriving in tech environments. Dryden outlines various concepts and terms related to diversity, including:

- **Diversity Definition**: Diversity extends beyond gender, encompassing various backgrounds, experiences, and identities, including economic class and disabilities.
- **Intersectionality**: This term explains how overlapping identities influence an individual's experiences and opportunities in society.
- **Privilege**: Dryden emphasizes the unearned advantages some people possess, which can lead to inequalities in education, pay, and job opportunities.
- **Stereotype Threat and Imposter Syndrome**: These concepts illustrate how societal pressures can negatively impact performance and self-perception among marginalized groups.
- **Marginalization**: The presentation discusses how certain groups are often relegated to the periphery, facing systemic barriers in tech.

Dryden provides statistics demonstrating the lack of gender diversity, noting that women make up only about 24% of the tech workforce and have significantly lower representation in areas like open-source contributions. She challenges the notion that women are disinterested in technology by referencing historical contexts where women were prominent in programming roles.

To combat these issues, Dryden suggests several strategies:
- Organizations should implement training and awareness programs to address implicit biases.
- Encouraging community initiatives that support diversity in tech.
- Fostering equitable and welcoming workplace cultures.

The conclusion underscores that diversity is not only beneficial for problem-solving and innovation but is also a moral imperative. Dryden calls for collective action to raise awareness and support marginalized groups in the tech industry, emphasizing that everyone has a role in promoting inclusivity.

Overall, the talk advocates for systemic change within tech communities to improve the representation and support of diverse individuals, ultimately leading to a more vibrant and effective tech landscape.

Cancel