Getting Woke to the Digital Divide | Youngmoo Kim | TEDxPhiladelphia

Summary

The script addresses the paradox of the digital divide, suggesting that while access to technology has increased, true equity in economic opportunities has not. It highlights the underrepresentation of people of color and women in tech, particularly in Silicon Valley and Philadelphia's STEM workforce. The speaker advocates for a cultural shift in the tech industry, emphasizing the importance of diversity and inclusion for innovation, and suggests that the focus should be on creating a more inclusive environment rather than just improving access.

Takeaways

• 🌐 The digital divide is not just about access to technology but also about economic opportunity and equity, which is often overlooked.
• 📉 Despite increased access to technology, representation of black and Latina/o employees in Silicon Valley companies remains very low.
• 🏙️ Philadelphia, recognized for diversity in STEM, still has a significant gap between the percentage of black STEM employees and the city's black population.
• 👩‍💻 The gender disparity in the tech industry is also highlighted, with only one-third of STEM employees in Philadelphia being women.
• 📚 Representation of black students in computing fields has increased slightly from 2002 to 2017, but there is still a long way to go for true equity in education.
• 🎓 The lack of black representation on the covers of Make Magazine, a flagship publication of the maker movement, underscores the absence of diversity in tech culture.
• 🎼 The speaker advocates for a cultural shift in tech, comparing the need for diversity to the evolution of the music industry, which has embraced various genres and artists.
• 🛠️ The tech industry's focus on new gadgets and apps has led to an unintended widening of the digital divide, impacting those without socio-economic privilege.
• 🎨 The speaker promotes the integration of arts and design into STEM education (STEAM) as a way to foster creativity and a more inclusive learning environment.
• 🤝 Partnerships and collaborations, such as with the Malcolm Jenkins Foundation, are essential to create programs that break down barriers and offer inclusive learning experiences.
• 🔍 The speaker encourages informed consumerism and support for organizations that promote equity and inclusion in the tech industry, as well as skepticism towards tech initiatives that may overlook these values.

Q & A

What is the digital divide according to the script?

The digital divide is the gap between those who have easy access to computers, the internet, and emerging technologies, and those without. It's also about the greater economic opportunity made possible through technology, often falling along socio-economic lines and closely tracking with race.

Why is access to technology not enough to close the digital divide?

Access to technology alone is not enough because the real goal is equity and equal economic opportunity. Fixating on access has led to an unintended consequence of widening the divide, as it overlooks the need for broader representation and inclusion in the tech industry.

What percentage of employees in Silicon Valley companies are black according to the study mentioned in the script?

In the study, just 2.5 percent of employees in Silicon Valley companies are black.

How does the representation of black individuals in STEM fields in Philadelphia compare to the city's population?

In Philadelphia, 18 percent of STEM employees are black, which is significantly lower than the city's population where 42 percent is black.

What is the percentage of women in STEM fields in Philadelphia?

Only one-third of the STEM employees in Philadelphia are women.

What was the percentage of bachelor's degrees awarded to black people in computing fields in 2002 and 2017?

In 2002, 3.6 percent of bachelor's degrees in computing fields were awarded to black people, which increased to 3.7 percent in 2017.

Why is the lack of representation of black individuals on the cover of Make Magazine a troubling sign according to the speaker?

The absence of representation on Make Magazine's cover speaks volumes about the exclusionary nature of the tech and maker culture, indicating a lack of diversity and inclusivity in the field.

What is the speaker's view on the tech industry's approach to solving problems?

The speaker believes that the tech industry tends to fixate on new devices, apps, or services as solutions, which has led to widening the digital divide and impacting people of color and those lacking socio-economic privilege.

What does the speaker suggest as an alternative to the current tech culture?

The speaker suggests a culture transplant, replacing the exclusionary white and Asian male monoculture with one of equal representation and inclusion.

What is the significance of the music industry's evolution in the speaker's argument?

The music industry's evolution to include a broader representation of society serves as an example of how the tech industry could embrace diversity and avoid amplifying an exclusionary monoculture.

What is the acronym S.T.E.A.M. stand for and what does it represent in the context of the script?

S.T.E.A.M. stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Math. It represents an integrated approach to learning that celebrates creativity in both the arts and sciences, which the speaker believes is a more profound way to learn.

What is the 'Young Dragons' program and how does it integrate S.T.E.A.M. education?

The 'Young Dragons' program is a six-week summer S.T.E.A.M. camp for middle school students in West Philadelphia. It breaks down the walls between disciplines and offers hands-on, relevant arts-integrated S.T.E.A.M. learning activities.

What actions does the speaker suggest for those in technology, education, and leadership roles to help change the culture of tech?

For those in technology, the speaker suggests engaging with organizations like Code 2040 and promoting inclusive design. In education, they recommend supporting schools that integrate technology with community and social justice. For leaders, the speaker calls for making it clear that the status quo is unacceptable and advocating for a culture of equity, innovation, and inclusion.