Politics Google employee writes memo stating Google is anti-diversity of thoughts/political ideas

I agree, I did not suggest he be fired. I didn't defend his ideas (as you did), but I did defend the idea of allowing alternate viewpoints when they don't appear to be malicious.

 

Yes, well, I see you're not arguing that you defended his ideas. That's the important thing when it comes to what one defends or doesn't.

 

Agree to disagree.

 

Be the woman who shares the cubicle with him for just a moment.

 

Guys, both of you are defending him to an extent. I think he's an asshole who had

"conduct detrimental to the team"

and his firing was justified.

 

Yes, that's a good argument to drum out anyone with differing opinions in every situation. As a society, I think we need to be able to differentiate ugly, malicious rhetoric from things we disagree with even if they're wrongheaded.

I've "been" the non-white person who shares an office with someone making similar arguments about race. I told him what I thought of his (wrongheaded) viewpoints when he brought them up but I didn't feel he should be fired. If he were saying flagrantly racist things, I would expect him to be fired and I'd ask for it to happen.

 

It is different for you, because you're not really at risk. That's why I find the arguments about "reverse racism" or "reverse sexism" to not be compelling--when black people or women, for example, are mocked or stereotyped or attacked, they're at real risk for marginalization. No such risk exists for white men, so while mockery or stereotypes about them are still inappropriate, it's far, far less damaging.

 

Making an argument about it and penning a 10 page manifesto are 2 completely different things. Again, don't try and sell me on it not affecting workplace morale.

 

Speak up about it in the office. I would.

 

I understand what you mean, but I think that it's hard, likely impossible, to separate out the "power dynamic," because your security in society is pretty established. You may not have any direct power over those women or vice versa, but jokes or stereotypes are inherently more threatening when your security is not so assured.

 

Hey, man, I'm just giving my opinion. You're free to take it or leave it. I like further elaborating on my viewpoint when questioned/confronted.

 

I just don't buy that morale around the workplace won't take a hit. He'd probably be uncomfortable working there just like everyone else.

 

I will be frank here.
I find this very offensive.
I understand what you're saying.
However saying it is far less damaging is bunk.
You never know how mocking or stereotyping of any human will effect them mentally.
Saying it's just inappropriate, yet it doesn't damage due to their skin color is offensive.

 

That's true of any given human but minorities and women have an added layer of threat to deal with. So yes, even given that it can be extremely hurtful regardless of skin color or gender, I still certainly believe it's much more damaging when it's done to groups of people at risk for being marginalized.