Black, Male, and in IT

I have spent the past few hours thinking about what it means to be an African American man working in the information technology industry. This was caused by hearing an offhand remark said by someone who was a guest on one of my favorite podcasts, Buzz Out Loud. I posted my thoughts to the Buzz Out Loud Forum, and I have to admit to not being surprised that many of the people who replied had no idea what I was talking about. Now, I absolutely do not think that the person who made the comment is a racist. In fact, I have a tremendous amount of respect for her. However, I also realize that she has no idea how what she said could be seen as racially insensitive. This leads me to the conclusion that it is very difficult for Non-Blacks to understand what it is like to be a Black person.

I followed the path that many people who work in Information Technology took. I had an early interest in computers, and I purchased my family's first computer (a Commodore 64) from a flea market using my allowance when I was in the fifth grade. I was a straight A student and joined Math and Science Clubs. I grew up reading Tolkien, collecting comic books, and watching Star Trek: The Next Generation. I majored in Electrical Engineering in college. The number of computers and gadgets in my house is limited only by my budget and the tolerance of my wife.

However, I work in an industry with very few African American men. Out of the thirty or so supervisors I have had in a decade of working as an information technology consultant, only one was an African American man. Every now and then I still encounter a client who can't believe that I am there to represent my company. I have to go out of my way to prove my credentials and competency in those situations.

This even affects the frequent travel that that I do as a traveling consultant. For example, when I enter the expedited boarding lane for frequent fliers (and I have flown hundreds of times), I am sometimes told, "Sorry, Sir, this is for Elite members only". Also, I seem to often be seated at the back of restaurants near the bath room and observe that Non-Black patrons who came after me not only are seated near the front but get served before I do.

There are few men who have reached the top of technology companies that I can look up to as role models for members of my race who have made it. Even the technology podcasts I listen to rarely have black hosts or even black guests. I have never seen or heard a black person on Cranky Geeks, Attack of the Show, TWiT, Tekzilla, or Mahalo Daily. If I was an alien observing the world through these podcasts, I would think that Black people did not exist!

I think that part of the reason that Non-Blacks have trouble understanding the Black experience is lack of exposure. This is especially true for White people. How many White people have invited a Black person over to their house for dinner let alone have one spend the night? However, this "lack of understanding" is only in one direction because I invite White people into my house every time I turn on the television, rent a movie, or read a newspaper. There they are being the perfect father, saving the world, or being elected to a position of power and leadership. Conversely, the image of Black people in the media is often the thug, pimp, or lazy low level employee.

Is this the fault of some evil conspiracy to keep African American men down? No. However, I believe that racism still negatively affects African Americans today. Yet, we need to take responsibility for ourselves and work to improve our condition. I will increase my efforts to mentor young African American men and encourage them to consider pursuing a career in information technology. I will also redouble my efforts to be the best representative I can be of African American men in my career field. After all, I may be the first and only impression of African American men that many Non-Blacks will see. Maybe making a positive impression will not only help people understand African American male technologists, but also help them be more sensitive to issues of race.