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our talk with @cmcilwain last night on his book Black Software was absolutely fascinating.
the genesis of McIlwain's project was a quest to trace the digital origins of BLM. but in researching that, he stumbled upon a much deeper history...
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the genesis of McIlwain's project was a quest to trace the digital origins of BLM. but in researching that, he stumbled upon a much deeper history...
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"Black software" was a term coined by engineer William Morrell in the 70s, who first used it to describe clip art portraying Black people.
in fact, the early internet was full of Black internet communities like entertainment and culture site NetNoir. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-06-30-ls-18705-story.html
in fact, the early internet was full of Black internet communities like entertainment and culture site NetNoir. https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-06-30-ls-18705-story.html
but by 2000, most of these communities vanished. instead, the kings of the new internet—the big tech founders we know today—are a group white as snow.
what caused this disparity?
the biggest, he says, is access to capital. this shows tech can't outrun the history of racism.
what caused this disparity?
the biggest, he says, is access to capital. this shows tech can't outrun the history of racism.
but McIlwain also identifies a surprising metaphor: cocaine.
while white Bay Area tech communities used cocaine actively—recreationally or for "productivity"—crack became a criminalized epidemic in South Central LA, which was poor and Black.
while white Bay Area tech communities used cocaine actively—recreationally or for "productivity"—crack became a criminalized epidemic in South Central LA, which was poor and Black.
in this case, the base technology of cocaine was racialized and deployed both for white wealth creation and Black impoverishment.
similarly, racism in computing made white pioneers rich while shutting out Black talent, a hierarchy whites enforced via racist tools and algorithms.
similarly, racism in computing made white pioneers rich while shutting out Black talent, a hierarchy whites enforced via racist tools and algorithms.
while Black Software is a history book, it gestures at the future.
first, McIlwain clarifies racism is already institutionalized in the tech industry. so more Black engineers would be great, but won't solve a systemic problem. https://slate.com/technology/2020/08/algorithms-artificial-intelligence-racism-reparations-history.html
first, McIlwain clarifies racism is already institutionalized in the tech industry. so more Black engineers would be great, but won't solve a systemic problem. https://slate.com/technology/2020/08/algorithms-artificial-intelligence-racism-reparations-history.html
but this wasn't inevitable. had Black technologists shaped the frontiers in the 60s, today could look different.
we're now in the driver's seat for the next 20 years. he asks: will we stay on the same course, or try something different?
we're now in the driver's seat for the next 20 years. he asks: will we stay on the same course, or try something different?
as for him, McIlwain hopes we'll start building tech for Black self-determination, mentioning researcher @timnitGebru's ask for AI that can braid her hair.
instead of only figuring out how to make tech less racist, the question becomes: how can we build tech to bring us joy?
instead of only figuring out how to make tech less racist, the question becomes: how can we build tech to bring us joy?
