John Sonmez

Unfortunately there is a active force today to promote division and racism in the news and popular media. Instead of finding common ground more and more people are being driven apart.

This is also true. I just think it would be less division, if everyone could admit its still there under the surface, then focus on how to truly get rid of it. Sweeping it under the rug and pretending it doesn't exist hasn't worked and will never work. We are all equally human.

The problem I have is that even though there is some racism, a lot of people who aren't racist at all get painted with that brush. I would rather look for the good in people and assume the best until proven otherwise rather than the other way around.

centuries long war, and frankly we're tired of passing it down to our offspring like some curse or fucked up legacy.

I get your frustration, but that's exactly the kind of thinking that creates division. No one is actively promoting racism or sexism in tech. But a lot of people are accused of it, because of the idea that if you are not with us you are against us. And the tactics being used to

enforce participation and penalize those deemed a threat to the cause are creating the opposite effect. When puritans were hunting witches, they thought they were doing a morally right thing, but it turned out is was a heinous crime which could only be seen in retrospect.

Some of our actions today are of similar ilk. On both "sides." The problem is, there really is no "sides." That is the illusion and misinformation causing the most damage. We are all humans. We all deserve the same level of dignity and respect. When we start treating people

better. All of our problems are solved. Because the root of all of these issues is the dehumanization of another human being whether it be based on race, ideology or ideas.