Jeff Chiu/AP
Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg is scolding employees for what he calls "several recent instances" of people crossing out "black lives matter" on signature walls at the company's headquarters and writing "all lives matter" instead.
In a note posted to employees on a company announcement page, published by Gizmodo, Zuckerberg says he and several other leaders at the company have previously warned employees against doing this. "I was already very disappointed by this disrespectful behavior before, but after my communication, I now consider this malicious as well," Zuckerberg writes.
The phrase "black lives matter" actually traces its origin to a conversation onFacebook. It came in reaction to the acquittal of George Zimmerman in the fatal shooting of 17-year-old Trayvon Martin. Since then, the phrase has come to signify theracial justice movement that has grown in response to a series of police shootings of unarmed black men.
As the footprint of the "black lives matter" slogan has grown, the phrase "all lives matter" arose as a reply — and, to many, a reproach — to the original phrase. NPR's Tamara Keith has reported from the campaign trail, where Democratic candidates used the "all lives matter" refrain:
Zuckerberg's note says that the company is investigating the incidents, because they have been "deeply hurtful and tiresome" for the Facebook community. Facebook has confirmed the authenticity of the internal note to NPR but has not provided further details of the investigation.
Of course, it's important to point out that Facebook — like much of Silicon Valley — has been struggling to diversify its work force and remains a company that's heavily white and male.
Here's a chart NPR built earlier this month when Intel, in unlike other tech companies including Facebook, released a highly detailed report on its progress and goals in hiring women and underrepresented minorities.
Like others, Facebook has been working to improve the ratio and, according to Zuckerberg's memo, plans to hold a town hall next week where staff can "educate themselves about what the Black Lives Matter movement is about."
Leslie Miley, a Silicon Valley diversity advocate and former Twitter engineer, told the Huffington Post the issue had a lot to do with the tech industry's reliance on recruiting from referrals and recruiting:
It is definitely ironic that Zuckerberg is so heavily defending the "correction" of the "Black Lives Matter" slogan when the majority of his employees are white males. Now, their actions are in no way justifiable, but I'm sure there is neglect of accountability within the workplace because of the lack of diversity. In the article it stated the likely reason: "Companies like Facebook pull talent from top schools, many of which are also very white. Then, employees refer people who look like them. 'If you want to change the ratio, stop referrals,' Miley told HuffPost."
ReplyDeleteI think it is very honorable that Zuckerberg wants to educate his employees about the “black lives matter” movement. Facebook has been “struggling to diversify its work force and remains a company that’s heavily white and male” (NPR). The reason for this is that "'Companies like Facebook pull talent from top schools, many of which are also very white. Then, employees refer people who look like them.' 'If you want to change the ratio, stop referrals,' Miley told HuffPost."(NPR) Overall I agree that a lot of businesses do not have a lot of diversity. I also agree that people need to be more educated about the “black lives matter” movement.
ReplyDeleteOlivia Lasecke
Period 2
The way that some people say bad things of Zuckerberg's idea on "black lives matter" movement just doesn't make sense. I think that it's honorable that Zuckerberg is trying to educate his employees. "'Black lives matter' doesn't mean other lives don't. It's simply asking that the black community also achieves the justice they deserve." this statement in the text shows how he thinks of everyone equally and because of that he's trying to get the justice for the African American people.
ReplyDeleteper.1
I respect Zuckerberg's movement to stop people from silencing the Black Lives Matter movement. As a strong supporter, I think it is critical that people realize that "Black lives matter' doesn't mean other lives don't. It's simply asking that the black community also achieves the justice they deserve" (NPR). People do not realize how little POC are represented in businesses, media, and social/economic cases. What Zuckerberg is doing is in fact very honorable: informing his employees about the movement and punishing those who silence it. However, the fact that the majority of his company are white men disgusts me. Women and people of color are more than qualified in places of business and should not be ignored. What he is doing to make people more aware of the Black Lives Matter movement is a good start, but he needs to take bigger steps to make sure that he is applying his beliefs to his company and letting people of color get the opportunities they deserve.
ReplyDeleteZuckerberg is doing the right thing standing up for "black lives matter" The fact that he is trying to increase awareness of this is great. Since so many of the companies employees are white it seems right to do something for blacks. The minorities in companies do need more representation.
ReplyDeleteI did not know a company as successful and famous as Facebook would have this problem.I am astounded to read that there are issues about the "Black lives matter" being changed to "All lives matter". I personally do not mind the "black lives matter". I support it. I am so glad to read that Zuckerberg also feels this way, and is going to do something about it. I agree with the quote, " 'Black lives matter' doesn't mean other lives don't. It's simply asking that the black community also achieves the justice they deserve." (Mark Zuckerberg)
ReplyDeleteI believe what Zuckerberg is doing it great. The fact that he is standing up for "black lives matter" is a good thing because he is making everyone aware. So many big companies have just white or Asian workers, but Facebook has really been diverse with the workers they have.
ReplyDeleteI really love that people are acknowledging this and trying to make people more aware. I personally think that it's super stupid that people (keep in mind, the majority of the people doing this are white. no hate to white people cause im half, but really? do we really need that? cmon.) are trying to take away from this movement and bring it back to them. Like Mark says, "'Black lives matter' doesn't mean that other lives don't." (Zuckerberg). This movement is supposed to shed light on the fact that even in modern day, the racism towards black people is disgustingly high. It's true that all lives do matter, but having a bunch of race-privileged and uneducated people coming in and trying to take this from them is incredibly disrespectful. I know that many people don't mean to be disrespectful, but that doesn't take away the fact that it is. Acting like the black lives matter movement is selfish on their part is SO incredibly ignorant and disgusting, and I just really am so glad to see that people are starting to try and promote this movement and educate people more on it.
ReplyDeleteper 1
Cameron Stone -- P6
ReplyDeleteI believe that Mark Zuckerberg is doing a good job of trying to improve the racial ratio of employees in his company. In today's world, racial equality has become a sensitive subject for many. He clarifies that, "Black lives matter doesn't mean other lives don't. It's simply asking that the black community also achieves the justice they deserve." This is a helpful definition for many who struggle with this. I believe Zuckerberg's actions promote freedom for people to speak their beliefs. In the workplace, that is essential.
Mark Zuckerburg is doing the right thing by trying to diversify the workers within his company. We've never had rules around what people can write on our walls — we expect everybody to treat each other with respect. Regardless of the content or location, crossing out something means silencing speech, or that one person's speech is more important than another's."(Zuckerburg) People should be able to express their opinion and Mark Zuckerurg agrees and supports this idea.
ReplyDeleteAmar Dhillon Period 2
Mark Zuckerburg is doing an amazing thing by creating racial diversity within his staff and teaching them to respect other cultures. He is showing his co-workers what it is like to be an amazing human being and showing them that each and every person from a specific cultural background is not the same as they are. Zuckerburg says that he, "plans to hold a town hall next week where staff can "educate themselves about what the Black Lives Matter movement is about."
ReplyDeleteI believe that is extremely important especially to those who really have no idea about the culture. I love what Zuckerburg is doing and hope he continues to do more great things in the future