Thread by @koburgee

So I've been watching all the chatter rolling about regarding situations in tech not really related to tech. Allow me a minute on my soapbox to share my perspective (longish read coming). (1/k)

First off, full stop: bad behavior is bad behavior and needs to be called out. Biblically, I am to call it out to the individual first, then if he doesn't listen, to a group, then everyone if that doesn't work. (Matt 18:15-20). Why do I say this? (2/k)

It's because the community is a group that polices itself, and in some cases is introverted. It's everyone's - EVERYONE'S - responsibility to limit bad behavior, but we live in a society where things are more personal than communal. (3/k)

I don't always believe in doxing, because in some cases it calls out the behavior but does nothing to correct it. Even then sometimes the person will redirect their behavior instead of addressing it and correcting it. (4/k)

As an African American, I know discrimination and harrassment in this field. It's not easy, but thankfully there's enough support that I ignore the other voices. But when it happens, it sucks. (5/k)

And it will always suck because I know that I cant fully eliminate it. It's not a knowledge issue, but it's an issue of the heart. But I don't stop fighting it, knowing that it'll be my fight until the day I die. I fight it because people can change, even one at a time. (6/k)

And that's why fighting inequalities in this field isn't a "check the box" moment where a person can hire x number of minorities/women and say they've done their part. It's an ongoing process that is scary to people but cannot stop. (7/k)

But change doesn't happen immediately, and it's important for people to recognize their parts in it. From the person who DMs someone inappropriately, to the friend who doesn't know better, to even your hated foe. "A good example is better than the best sermon". (8/k)

So I'll say this - you cant hold to the old ways of "well, it was better when people weren't so sensitive" or "I liked it better when it was more of my kind here", because change is inevitable and you're either part of the cycle or left by it. (9/k)

I won't say that all change is good, however - there's too much "personal truth" around for mine and everyone's liking - but in some cases, in a field that needs more unlike minds to tackle new problems, change isn't a bad thing. (10/k)

So be willing to chat on a personal level, away from the noise. If it works, great. If not, then move on and look at the people in this field, like the @jaysonstreet and @hacks4pancakes and @k8em0 and @marigalloway and countless other who do good work. (11/k)

If you need me, I'll be over there learning how to get better at this. (Fin)

Ok, last thing - if you don't think you matter, or you can ignore doing the right thing, don't expect the right thing to be done. If anything, do it because it needs to be done, not because it needs an audience.