Are Performative Gestures On the Rise?
Unveiling the Truth: The Critical Need for Authentic Diversity in the Tech World
The tech industry, a beacon of innovation and progress, recently witnessed a disheartening revelation at the DevTernity Conference. The event, aimed at showcasing diversity, instead revealed a facade of inclusivity: several female speaker profiles, including 'Anna Boyko', were fabricated, a ploy to artificially inflate the number of women participants. This deceit was uncovered thanks to the investigative efforts of Gergely Orosz, shedding light on the ongoing struggle for genuine representation in tech.
The DevTernity Debacle: A Symptom of a Wider Issue
The fact that DevTernity claimed to have three women among its 23 speakers, with two allegedly withdrawing, does little to justify the creation of fake profiles. This act highlights a larger problem in both the tech industry and corporate culture at large - the tendency to engage in performative actions rather than truly embracing Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) principles. Such superficial gestures undermine the significant progress made by numerous competent women and underrepresented groups in the field. Organisations like Women of Web3, London Women Leading Web 3, Boss Beauties, and DevelopHer UK exemplify the untapped potential and readiness of diverse voices to make meaningful contributions in these spaces.
A Broader Perspective on DEI and Environmental Sustainability
The incident at DevTernity is not an isolated one. In the corporate world, there is often a gap between lofty commitments to DEI and environmental sustainability and the actual actions taken. From the fake gender balance at conferences to accusations of greenwashing at events like the COP28 climate summit where leaked documents showed oil deals were being planned. The trend of prioritising optics over substantial change is increasingly evident. Such practices erode the credibility of DEI, ESG and sustainability initiatives, making it more challenging for those genuinely striving for progress.
With such examples of performative allyship being presented (and these are what we can see!), trust between the public, job seekers, and other stakeholders starts to waver. Think of it like this: When companies do the bare minimum – like slapping a rainbow flag on their profile during Pride month or posting a black square for Black Lives Matter without any real action – people see it for what it is, B.S. These gestures might look good on the surface, but they don't change anything. It's like throwing a Band-Aid on a broken leg and calling it fixed. The truth is, when companies opt for these easy, superficial moves instead of rolling up their sleeves and doing the hard work, it doesn't just look lazy – it can feel downright insulting.
The Importance of Authenticity in Corporate Culture
The lack of diverse representation on boards, such as the recent reshuffle at OpenAI, highlights a troubling disregard for inclusive decision-making. With four billion women worldwide (you telling me, they couldn’t find one Godmother of AI?!), their perspectives and experiences are crucial in shaping an equitable future. It is not merely a matter of ticking boxes; it's about genuinely understanding and amplifying the voices of diverse individuals within our global community.
Instilling Meaningful Change
True progress in DEI and sustainability necessitates more than surface-level statements or impressive metrics. It requires active engagement from stakeholders, transparent self-evaluations, and public acknowledgement of genuine inclusion efforts and carbon reduction strategies. The path to authentic change lies in consistent, collective action rather than empty declarations.
Conclusion
The path to genuine diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the corporate world is fraught with complexities and requires more than performative gestures. It demands a steadfast commitment to authenticity, where actions consistently align with declared values.
This journey, while challenging, is not just a moral imperative but a strategic necessity in today's global landscape. We should not be content with mere appearances of solidarity. Companies must move beyond superficial displays of allyship to foster a culture where accountability and transparency are not just buzzwords but are a true representation of who they are and what they believe in.
Written by Man Wong
Cofounder of CandidateX