Natali Del Conte and “Crips and Bloods”

I will probably write a longer blog post about being an African American man in the technology industry (because I am one) at a later date, but I want to share here something that recently brought racial issues to the forefront of my thinking.

This is something I wrote on Natali Del Conte's blog about a comment she made on the Buzz Out Loud podcast. I think it is self-explanatory so I will let it speak for itself:

Hi Natali,
I want to start this out by saying that I have a tremendous amount of respect from you, and I enjoy the contributions that you have made to technology journalism. I first saw you on Cranky Geeks and then became a regular viewer of TeXtra. I admire the combination of technology credibility and unique personality that you incorporate into your public persona.

That being said, I have to take issue with a comment you made on yesterday's episode (#641) of Buzz Out Loud. You and Tom Merritt were joking about a GPS unit that should warn users of bad neighborhoods. You then mentioned that it should say "Crips and Bloods" ahead. I am fairly sure that you did not mean it this way, but I was hurt that you would suggest that bad neighborhoods were synonymous with the presence of African American men. Not all black neighborhoods are dangerous and not all non-black neighborhoods are safe. I know that you said "Crips and Bloods" ahead and not "Black guys" ahead, but your comment hints at the negative views of African Americans, especially African American men, in this country. I was saddened to realize that, despite living in a time when we actually have an African American man with a realistic chance of making to the White House, such views would come across in a technology podcast that I greatly enjoy and respect and from someone like you.

I know many people will take this as an exaggeration, but, as one of the few African American men represented in the technology industry, I felt that I should raise this issue. Our country, despite being the most advanced nation in the world, has a long way to go when it comes to race relations. I think that many people would rather sweep this truth under the rug, but, as a member of the group most damaged by racism, I am keenly aware of its effect.

Natali, I am sorry for posting this in such a public place, but I do not have an email address for you or any way of reliably contacting you directly. I know that as a Puerto Rican woman, you are a double minority in the technology industry, and, thus, probably have to deal with racial and gender issues every day. But, I ask that you be more aware and sensitive about how you portray African American people in the future.

I wish you the best,

Anjuan Simmons