Tag: Mikayla

1. One concept that has always been heavily misunderstood is the idea that all people are seen as equals despite race, gender or religion. However, that is not the case and Wong points it out. We are all human beings living on this earth however our backgrounds and experiences set u apart from each individual. Wong uses the metaphor of a standard shoe given to everyone and those who don’t fit into it being at a disadvantage. We come in all shapes and sizes and it is not our job to be like everyone else but to thrive in what makes us unique. Wong explains how important it is to thrive in each others differences and support each other because we do not know everyones experience. It may even be offensive to deny this persons identity and treat them as if their background doesn’t play a monumental role in the person they have become.
2. One TSIS idea that can be seen in the article is when Wong argues that understanding who a person is and not just what you see on the outside requires work. It requires knowing about the individual and not making a simple blanket statement about who you think they are and where you think they’ve been. Wong says “Rather than assume everyone is the same (or should be), it is crucially important to seek and understand how differences in identities and experiences inform how we interact with our surroundings and each other.” This idea of connecting the parts is explained when we must put in the effort to understand where these minorities are coming from and choose to acknowledge who they are as individuals. This is important because to truly sympathize and understand the true injustice they face we must be able to make these connections within our own lives.

1. When looking for articles that I feel are clearly written, provide detailed background to the authors and are easily accessible to college students I always use Syracuse Libraries. When I use the site I tend to type in the idea I’m looking for and then refine the search for a journal article. When I use Syracuse libraries I feel it really helps me search for articles that relate to college students and ones that have qualified authors. When I’m looking for an article it takes me a bit of searching because sometimes they are written too many years ago and don’t convey the same message. However I find it helpful to refine the search and look for articles written in the past 2 or 3 years so the content aligns with current events in the world.
2. In the past few assignments we have been analyzing differs communities and environments and the way they are able to make each space inclusive to everyone. In order to add to our portfolios we have done research on articles that not only note the problems that occur day to day but the changes that need to be made. However, in order to truly understand why we need more inclusivity and diversity we must hear first hand from the ones who feel aliened. In order to learn more about bias and discrimination we must read a primary first hand account from someone who experienced it. For this assignment I wish to write about the action required when discrimination occurs and what the thoughts and emotions of the individual experiencing it. I wish to focus on college minorities because their experiences may not be so different from those of our own. I will use Syracuse libraries because not only is it presented by our own college but it recounts the stories and experiences of those in our own situations.

1. When actively analyzing the constructs of organizational culture and workplace values we are always brought back to the central ideas of diversity and inclusion within communities. When attempting to grow from prejudice and discrimination against factors such as race, gender and disability we must find the internalized problem and study inclusion tactics that will help workspaces become more diverse spaces. One article that I believe really added to the central idea of the canon was ““Workforce diversity and organizational performance: a study of IT industry in India”. This article not only highlights the lack of diversity within certain environments but brings light to the companies that lack diversity and the steps that can be taken to resolve each issues. I think it’s important that this article not only targets the injustice faced but provides methods on which positive changes can be made.

3.  In Bogost’s article on Diversity in computing he begins his article focusing on an issue that has been disputed for years and tackled by various consumers, in this case a woman going through airport security. Bogost builds an argument on one problem that correlates to a wide scale issue of lack of diversity within tech culture. He also emphasizes how there should be more representation within an industry that affects the lives of so many individuals. Although he spends the first half of the article addressing the central issue, he makes a very seamless transition when he explains to the audience how he personally plans to fix it with his own team of researchers. Bogost establishes his credibility within the audience when he says “Among them is the Constellations Center for Equity in Computing at Georgia Tech, where I hold faculty positions in the colleges of computing and liberal arts.” With this statement he transitions to telling the readers how he and other workers plan to do their part and  get down to the real issue within the computing world.

Bogost starts off his article not by immediately addressing the problem but by introducing the character “Amy” as someone the audience can relate to. He uses the rhetoric method of introducing the most important topic to the audience first in order to keep them engaged with the argument being made. In TSIS it is highlighted that when constructing an argument it is important to first introduce the opinions of the general public about idea you are trying to convey.

Bogost in order to cement his influence to the audience and prove that he is a credible source provides his own background information. He says “Among them is the Constellations Center for Equity in Computing at Georgia Tech, where I hold faculty positions in the colleges of computing and liberal arts.” This helps show the audience that not only does he work with a group of qualified individuals but that he is dedicated to perfecting the system.

Bogost introduces the quote “For years, companies and educators in the tech sector have framed diversity as a “pipeline” problem.” and implements a rhetoric device outlined in TSIS. It is explained that when addressing a problem experienced by the general public you and generalize it to show that it is affecting a large scale of people. This one view has become the standard ideal but addressing it on a larger scale can help challenge such a widely accepted belief.

When the author includes the quote “(My colleague Hannah Giorgis, who also has a lot of curly hair, confirms that she, too, suffers a cranial pat-down every time she goes to the airport.)” He implements the opinions of others experiencing the same issue in hopes that the in the audience will feel a personal connection. By using quotes throughout the passage he is able to show that he cares about the opinions of others and wants their input when attempting to solve the problem.

When Bogost finishes off the article he ends by saying “Anyone who falls outside of that core group of interests are not being represented,” Webb said. If she’s right, then the problem with computing isn’t just that it doesn’t represent a diverse public’s needs.” When he does this he appeals to the audiences sense of advocacy and their need to feel represented in all environments. He asks the audience whether they wish to see progressive change and by engaging with them he paves a path for making changes in the future.

1. While watching Heffernan’s talk, one thing that is noticed is how she speaks on the future and the unlearned traits of the world. In her rhetoric argument she talks about how we should use our minds and imaginations to explore the problems of the world and how technology is setting us back in time. I find it interesting how she depicts modern day problems and shows the audience how they were solved by using ingenuity and imaginative solutions. She leaves the audience something to ponder on and every time she asks them a question she answers it. She indicates the talent and potential that could be implemented if we simply use our skills. However, if we hone our abilities we have the power to turn the future into whatever we wish. She notes how many problems the world has today but shows us that we have the potential to accomplish anything. Not only was this an inspirational speech but she tapped into the audiences capacity for improvement and tells them that not only has she seen change happen before but she knows that they are capable of it.
2. In Jason Fried’s speech makes an argument on how although offices are created in order for people to come and do work it isn’t the space in which the most productive work is done. He presents his findings on how the best work productivity is never done in the office because there is never enough time to create new ideas or complete tasks well. He provides evidence on this and explains how he asked a group of people where they get the most work done and they all either said at home, in an airplane or even at a coffeeshop but none of them said at work. He compares trying to complete a full day of work to being interrupted in the middle of sleep, you cannot fully complete the task if you are always being stopped halfway. I find it very interesting that he presents this question and then he provides 3 tactics on how to avoid these interruptions and increase productivity within each office.

1. In unit 1 we remained focused on mostly ideas regarding diversity and culture and how incorporating multiple voices and backgrounds can really add a lot of enrichment to any environment. In order to further build on the course ideas and help the class expand I would like to delve more into a topic one of the other articles already spoke on, spreading minority awareness and helping them thrive in new environments. Because we all attend the same university I would like to research more about the experiences and challenges undergone by minorities in college and how they manage to create opportunities for themselves in such new environments. Some experts and databases I would like to check up on are the rates of success within organizations designated  for minority outreach and success. I would also consider using Syracuse libraries and implementing an article that is close to home and that the class might relate more too. More strictly, if minorities find themselves in leadership positions and manage to assimilate well into their university classes. I would particularly like to go through mostly reputable sources and ones that connect with their audience and use rhetorical elements in their writing.
2.  As we further delve ourselves into the reading of Austin and Pisano and Kaplan and Donovan, we realize that they use different techniques in order to teach us about advocating for diversity in the workplace. On the one hand A/P focuses on spreading outreach for Neurodiverse individuals and shows how they have implemented different programs and created opportunities for them to find work and excel. On the other hand the article by K/D shows us that although workspaces may strive for equity and inclusivness, they cannot do so unless all members of the community are willing to show leadership and make a change.