Thread by @NandoDF

This will be a long thread. It represents my views solely. Many are puzzled by why I feel it possible to support both @JeffDean and @timnitGebru so I’d like to explain. I will start by saying that this in no way denies any current or past injustices. 1/n

It is also clear that mistakes have been made and these need to be fixed. It is also legitimate for many to be angry, and this by no way is a sameness argument. Like many Googlers I too am shocked and saddened. 2/n

I had the privilege of working alongside both Timnit and Jeff at the @DeepIndaba. I learned a lot from Timnit at the CIFAR ethics workshop, and worked again with Jeff at @Khipu_AI trying to improve AI in Latin America. 3/n

I support Jeff because throughout those outreach events he was a true champion of making science and tech more diverse. He has put his time and his own money behind many diversity efforts. He is a remarkable individuals, but even remarkable individuals make mistakes. 4/n

I have to support both Jeff an Timnit because I admire what they stand for. Because I know they are both suffering. But of course this must be investigated and with reflection and dialogue we need to change for the better 5/n

Our fields have since their beginning been horrible to women and reflected many other biases in the world at large. We have a long way to go and sometimes the slow pace is truly annoying. We must do more 6/n

However as @natschluter best put it we must be able to deplore and act without bringing down an individual that has done so much social good too, not to mention the important role he is playing in fighting a pandemic as we speak 7/n

This morning I tweeted aiming for positive dialogue. I could have tried to be more clear. I apologise for having caused confusion or upset. Following the tweet I have been branded a white privileged dude, a trump, an all lives matter supporter and associated with brutality 8/n

To set the record straight this is my story: I carry physical scars for being too white and too dark. You see, it’s never as trivial as black or white. I’ve been called the N word in SA worked and asked to rewrite exams because a N can’t surely be that smart 9/n

I’ve held my loved ones killed in racist attacks. I spent more time I could admit of straightening my curly hair so I’d look more white, and yet for others I was too white. This is the dreadful thing about mixed genes and the absurdity of racism. 10/n

I was born without rights to a passport because of the cruelty of colonialism. My parents spent all their savings and got in big debt so they could buy me a passport. I then became a refugee and from 4 to 8 couldn’t see my parents. 11/n

I lived in a hut initially without electricity and always without water. I kept pulling tape worms from my backside. And, no, that is not normal. It breaks the soul of a child. Fortunately I have mutations from Africa in my blood that helped fight some deadly diseases. 12/n

I spent the next few years in the ranchos of Caracas (think slums). Racism and abuse was rampant. I was abused repeatedly by gang violence. 13/n

Why am I telling you all this? Not because my life is unique, but because that is the life of most in our planet. It’s hard and full of discrimination. Timnit and Jeff have fought to make it better and so I support them. For I don’t want children to have the same life as me 14/n

This of course does not mean I condone any recent events. We should fix the situation responsibly, and double down on diversity and inclusion. There lies our true strength. As I said, let us exercise reflection, empathy and compassion. 15/n