The Tax on Being Different
https://jenniferbrownspeaks.com/2017/02/23/the-tax-on-being-different-with-vivienne-ming/
This one is inspired by Grace Hopper 2019 where Vivienne Ming was one of the keynote speakers. Several of us had watched the live stream of the Grace Hopper keynote since we couldn’t be there in person and we thought Vivienne’s story was so interesting that we had to bring it back to share with the rest of the club.
Discussion Questions
What does the idea of a “tax on being different” mean, and how might it show up in everyday life?
How can workplaces or institutions unintentionally create extra barriers for people whose identities fall outside the majority?
What are ways allies can help reduce these hidden costs for colleagues or community members?
How might designing systems with diversity in mind benefit everyone, not just those who are marginalized?