All Allies. All the Time.

We live in deeply divisive times. Forces are at work to divide us. To make us feel like we are not aligned. To respond with fear and anger. To react out of a fear of scarcity and not a sense of abundance and sharing.

I want to talk about active allyship — Using the word "Ally" as a verb. It’s not a noun. It’s not a name we get to call ourselves. We have to *do* things that make us an ally. So what can we do to be better allies and design a more inclusive world?

This is an incomplete, imperfect presentation as it needs *your* ideas. Positive contributions are not only welcome, they're needed!

*** This talk was first given at the Design & Content Conference, on July 27, 2018. #DCC18 ***

Transcript

1. All The Time All Allies Gagan Diesh @diesh
3. @diesh Person of colour Woman Gender doesn’t fit in the binary Disability Obese Picked on in school English is not your first language. Vegetarian Tattooed Spiritual practice not religious Adopted or have an adopted child Chosen family as important as given family Money is not prime motivator to work Diversity is about all of us
5. unsimple times We yearn for simplicity
6. We are hardwired to simplify
7. aeon.co/essays/your-brain-does-not-process-information-and-it-is-not-a-computer we simplify
8. we simplify
9. we simplify
10. Same is simple
11. Same
12. Same
13. Same
14. Same
15. Same
16. Same
17. Sameness creates fear of what’s different.
18. Diversity is the opposite of sameness
19. All Asians look the same
20. Diversity is not easy
21. And this mess has always existed Now it’s out in the open We have an opportunity!
22. Psst…you’re not the problem. But how are you helping?
23. Ally=Doing
24. Let’s Acknowledge…
25. We’re all a bit Racist. I want to become an Anti-Racist (Google this! Project Implicit) Let’s Acknowledge…
26. Fast isn’t always good. Call the bias. Stop. Reflect. Research. “I hate that FB post! I am going to comment so hard, I’ll break it.” — ❣ Let’s Acknowledge…
27. Confessions aren’t work done “Guys, it sucks to be a white dude rn” — Let’s Acknowledge…
28. Doing won’t be comfy “As a straight white cis person, I can't really make an impact on discrimination without stepping on the toes of the people I am trying to offend” Let’s Acknowledge…
29. We’ll make mistakes. Apologize. Learn. Try again. the519.org/education-training/training-resources/trans-inclusion-matters/creating-authentic-spaces/being-an-effective-trans-ally Let’s Acknowledge…
30. Un-simplifying the Simple will require doing What can we do?
31. from Inclusive Design Research Centre
33. Inclusive…Really?
34. Inclusive Design …should be Inclusive Designing for physical disabilities is one element.
35. Inclusive Design should Exclude some (Hey @jack…what about them Russian bots?)
36. To be truly tolerant, we have to be intolerant of intolerance. We should therefore claim, in the name of tolerance, the right not to tolerate the intolerant. — Karl Popper
37. Let’s Break it Down How?
38. Do everything… differently
39. Hire… differently “Diverse perspectives are better at prediction, risk aversion, planning and innovation than a group of the "best and brightest minds".” The Difference How the Power of Diversity Creates Better Groups, Firms, Schools, and Societies
40. Darrell Huff's book How to Lie With Statistics (1954) Research… differently If you torture the data long enough, it will confess to anything.
41. Research… differently Data Lies! Who are you talking to? What’s your bias? “See, I was right” vs. “Wow, that’s surprising!”
42. Require…differently Question business requirements. (“Why” is a complete sentence)
43. Ask… differently Flawed product requirements lead to
44. Design… differently Curb Cut design builds for the “edges” and ultimately makes things better for everyone Reference from Inclusive Design Research Centre
45. Design… differently We have started considering physical challenges, and now… What if someone overhears this? What if someone sees this? What does that word mean? This chatbot is so rude! This doesn’t look like it is meant for me Siri can’t understand my accent
46. DESIGNING AN ARABIC USER EXPERIENCE http://uxbert.com/designing-arabic-ux-usability-testing-saudi-arabia/ “AI (has) this veneer of innovative new tech. But it’s destined to repeat the errors of the past.” https://www.forbes.com/sites/parmyolson/2018/02/26/artificial-intelligence-ai-bias-google GitHub: Themis Build… differently Algorithms will need watchdog algorithms
47. Test… differently Our methods have to adapt. DESIGNING AN ARABIC USER EXPERIENCE http://uxbert.com/designing-arabic-ux-usability-testing-saudi-arabia/
48. Market… differently Media, culture and advertising provide us a mirror to see ourselves. Often some of us aren’t afforded that reflection.
49. “Nothing about us, without us.”
50. Every action matters. Not everyone will organize a parade. Asking your (racist) uncle why that was funny is a great start. Asking your (racist) product owner why that dropdown is a requirement is good too. https://www.forbes.com/sites/tanyaklich/2017/01/29/what-entrepreneurs-can-learn-from-the-founders-of-the-pussyhat-project and background photo by Brian Allen
51. Diversity is not simple. But neither is the alternative
52. Gagan Diesh @diesh Thank you! (Let’s Talk)