A Meritocracy Manifesto

Silicon Valley has a dirty little secret they'd like to keep from the public

eye. This secret is inextricably linked to symbols and code words passed down

from generations of systemic injustice.

They call it "meritocracy".

On the surface, this word has implications of color blindness and success based

on so-called "merit". The ostensible masters of Silicon Valley would have you

believe that the use of this word indicates that their industry is a bastion of

equality and fairness. We are led to believe that the status quo of

underrepresentation is somehow intrinsically linked to "merit", a vague term

whose meaning is often obfuscated through layer upon layer of sophistry.

As is often the case with code words, an opposite meaning lurks beneath. The

word in reality is used as code for perpetuating the systemic prejudices of

racism, sexism, and ableism of the ostensible elite masters. "Merit", as such,

is used as an excuse for excluding undesirable populations. Like tests to prove

voting eligibility in the past, "merit" is used as a dubious qualifying agent

in a system designed to exclude those who it deems undesirable. In reality, the

word "meritocracy" is simply code for systemic prejudice. This is why,

seemingly paradoxically, the word is so commonly used in the tech community

despite inadequate representation from historically oppressed and marginalized

communities.

What We Demand:

1. The end of systemic prejudice in all forms, including racism, sexism, and

  ableism.

2. The consideration of actual merit (as opposed to false or fraudulent merit)

  when making hiring and other meaningful decisions within a company.

3. A ban on the use of the word "meritocracy" in tech until the first two

  demands are met.

We refuse to remain silent while our communities continue to face historic

levels of discrimination and prejudice. And we will continue our fight until

such a time as we decide that our demands are met. Hopefully, the old guard of

Silicon Valley will take heed of this post and rethink their use of archaic

code words meant to hide systemic prejudice. If we reach even one, our efforts

will have been a success.