Why is it news that a white male engineer wrote a letter saying that women were born genetically indifferent to the work of engineering?
Newsflash: people like him have been writing essays like this for generations. Still, the "Google Memo" makes national and even world news. I feel so angry about that fact that I can’t stop thinking about it. Why is it newsworthy? Why is it even newsworthy that Google fired him? Only in a super racist, misogynist society could the firing of a white man who clearly violated a company’s policies make international news.
Meanwhile, no doubt plenty of thousands if not millions of people of color (remember, this phrase includes women and LGBTII folks as well), people with disabilities (same disclaimer), and other under-represented groups are fired, not hired, or otherwise subjected to actual discrimination in the labor market every single hour of every day.
Here are the headlines that should be out there. I hope they make national news.
“University denies tenure to high achieving, well-published, highly rated, African American Feminist Woman Scholar.”
“Chemical Manufacturer Fires White Woman for Asking Too Many Questions During Staff Meeting.”
“Restaurant Hires Mexican-American Man for Manager Position – except oops, that position isn’t available until next year, man is offered Wait Staff position instead.”
“Major Retailer Fires Transgendered Man for Failing to Go to Drinks With Upper Management – ‘He just wasn’t willing to be one of the boys,’ CEO says in statement.’”
“Forest Service Refuses to Hire Wheelchair User for GIS Data Job: ‘We Need Someone who Can Sit at a Computer for 8 Hours a Day, just not a person who uses a wheelchair,’ Manager explains.”
“Hospital Fires African American Man After Gutting the Budget to his Hospital Programs and Accusing him of Financial Mis-Management.”
“Major Software Company Hires Cuban-American Lesbian to Increase Company Diversity; Fires Woman 3 months later, accusing her of ‘not fitting in with the culture of the company.’”
“College Hires Filipino American Woman to Run Grant Program – fails to Mention Grant runs out in a year - the College has no plans to renew the contract.”
“Construction Company Fires African American Woman From Crew – Accuses Her of Stealing the Kitchen Sink.”
“Museum Fires Native American Man from Curator Role – Accuses Him of ‘Too Much Focus on Experience of Native Peoples, Not Enough Focus on Art.’”
I'm sure there are so many headlines I didn't think of in writing out my own frustration this morning. Got a headline to share? Share it in the comments below!