The only “computer experts” and “devious programmers” that are african american are in the movies or on tv. Actually a rarity in the IT biz.
Back before I retired, I had some black workers in the crew I managed. One gal was sharp, and I recommended her for a supervisor job, which she got. She was from the south, had middle class upbringing and would be considered an Oreo by other blacks (white on the inside). She had no problem learning the ins and outs of wiring, connecting and testing electronics gear. Another black worker was from a ghetto upbringing, and still lived there. Difference of night and day between them (I'm speaking metaphorically as they were both dark skinned).
Not that the guy wasn't smart, as he was brilliant in many ways. However, he had poor grammar skills and would get tongue-tied expressing himself. Growing up in a ghetto environment starved his intellect. It was peer pressure from other blacks to fit in and live their life-style. He managed to extricate himself and was self-taught in electronics and computer programming. He did okay for himself, but was limited in a way that would not have been the case if he were brought up in a different racial setting. I have encountered the same situation with other blacks that I have helped. The black man keeps other black men down.
Well, sir:
Although I do not refer to myself as an African-American (let’s try American of African Dissent), I did go to college for electronics engineering, and have been a LAMP stack programmer for going on 15 years (fluent in about 5 computer languages). Also been a Freeper for about 10.
Not that it may count for anything to some, but yes, there are black folks in this industry (nephew works for google, btw; high school friend - also black, runs an entire software department in Kansas City).
With that said, I can assure everyone that Mr. Jackson’s attempt at forcing diversity in the digital realm is a non-starter. Affirmative Action has failed in this industry everywhere its been tried. The market it too competitive, and if pushed, a company can ship the the entire production overseas - without even getting on a plane.
I’ll conclude with this: I’m a little older than most of my peers, but I can say that of the new blood coming into the industry, most are of Asian, Indian, or Middle Eastern dissent. Jackson would do better demanding they hire more white people.
jimjohn - out.