It’s increasingly en vogue for white people to claim anti-racism as a way to redefine white identity, but what’s the most effective way for white people to be anti-racist?
Effective altruism is about answering one simple question: how can we use our resources to help others the most?
https://www.effectivealtruism.org
When it comes to anti-racism, it’s almost as if white folks plan for it to be ineffective. All the measurements, metrics, and performance goals go out the window— we’re content just to learn.
Tech is the future.
As technologists we take this premise to be self-evident.
We’re as sure of it as we are that the sky is blue and America is designed to be anti-Black. If you also accept the premise that white people disproportionately own and control tech, it follows that white people disproportionately control the future.
Thus, grappling with the concept of “effective anti-racism,”—mirroring the concept of “effective altruism” and held in contrast to often-empty claims of generic white anti-racist identity— would require a substantial commitment to increasing Black ownership of in tech (not mere inclusion)
Say you’re a “white anti-racist” all day long.
But it’s no use answering the question unless you act on it.
https://www.effectivealtruism.org
Workplace DEI programs aren’t effective anti-racism because they are window-dressing for a rigged game. Personal practice of reflection isn’t effective anti-racism either—at best the scale is one white person.
As a tactic in the broader collective struggle for liberation and worker’s rights, “effective anti-racism” would more likely resemble white behavior targeted towards radically reforming the opportunities that Black people share in terms of economic, political and social power. Effective anti-racism invests Black people in the ownership and control of capital, not just a voice on the product team.
Professor Daniel Isenberg, Babson Ecosystem Project
Our Commitment
As a reflection of this sentiment, we’re committing to help found 50 Black-owned tech (or tech adjacent) by the end of 2021—completely free of charge.
The project has been established an idea-generation factory (launched in ghost mode) with the goal of contributing foundational-idea-level IP to to the establishment of as many investment-ready, Black-owned worker self-directed enterprises as possible, as fast as possible.
We want to hear from you.
• BIPOC entrepreneurs looking support and resources jumpstarting a new business idea.
• developer, designer, problem solver, writer, researcher, marketer, manager, or other technologist who wants to help us support BIPOC entrepreneurs on this project.
Go ahead! Tell us about yourself and how you might see yourself working with us on this project.