“Nĭ hăo.” (pronounced “nee-how”) 你好
A hello I have been greeted with countless times. Wonderful to say hello in one of the world’s most important languages! The only problem with strangers who are seemingly not of Chinese descent themselves, deciding to approach me and say hello in a Chinese language is that I am American (raised in Michigan) and of Korean ethnicity.
For those of us who have some training in sociology or psychology, we know that this is a form of implicit bias and also labeled as a “micro-aggression” because this subtle behavior allows someone to assign their worldview to another person in a way that can marginalize who that person is. Personally, I would classify many of these behaviors as “macro-ignorance,” but this is a basic example of such behavior that I have experienced. [And note, in some of these situations, I wouldn’t even give the benefit of the doubt in saying it was implicit, because it seemed to be overt bias on display]. Over the years, having lived and worked in many cities across the US, Europe and Asia, I have been “too Asian”, “too American”, “too female” or not enough of any or all of these classifications.
Why does this matter? It matters because of what continues to happen to people in our country and around the world. Last year, we all had to deal with the emotional and physical turmoil of a global pandemic that literally brought life as we have always known it to a complete standstill. In the midst of this continuing hardship, our black friends, colleagues and family members were targeted by people whose implicit bias was so deeply rooted, it was at a level that results in acts of violence and ultimately, tragedy. Now we are hearing Asian Americans speak up about the increasing racial discrimination they have been facing during the same time that political leaders ignorantly refer to COVID-19 as the “Chinese virus.” And just as with other minorities, our track record in the socio-political treatment of Asians both here (during WWII and SARS) and abroad, are not highlights in American history and certainly not aligned with the values that make us proud of our country.
Fortunately, with crisis comes hope and what the events of late have also brought, are a more focused commitment to understanding the systemic biases still shaping our nation’s culture and therefore, its future. This has opened the door to a new wave of voices from all walks of life inspiring and rallying us towards the positive — #amandagormanforpresident2036.
I’ve always appreciated ignorance. First, because we all have it in some form or another at times, but moreso, because it means there is an opportunity for growth. However, there is also a point of no return. When left unchecked, ignorance becomes violence, ambivalence or racism. All of which leave little room for change.
To intercede before the point of no return and capitalize on the opportunity for growth, requires putting ourselves into situations that allow us to experience difference, newness and change. To interact with people who are not like us. Frankly, to intentionally make ourselves very uncomfortable, knowing that this is the path to learning and seeing things from another perspective.
ENTER ENTREPRENEURSHIP.
Some of the bedrock principles of business entrepreneurship = change, difference, risk, solving problems and unmet needs, the unknown and the future.
All the reasons I love it and why this community, perhaps moreso than others, has the ability and responsibility to lead efforts to create more opportunities for those without power.
And reflective of why I love Michigan and decided to return to my home state last year, is that our entrepreneurial tech community is stepping into and up to the challenge of leading such efforts. Most recently, I got to be inspired by the collective action of 13 different local tech companies and venture capital firms, that came together to provide a dedicated DE&I Internship Program for underrepresented students to gain access to the local tech industry and for companies to gain access to DE&I expertise and training.
This program was open to Michigan-based college students who identify as underrepresented, minorities or PELL eligible. This was a pilot program. Designed and launched with the tremendous support of multiple community partner organizations and universities in under four months. We received more than 75 applications. More than 30 students had the opportunity to virtually tour the tech companies, hear from and ask questions of founders and experience 1–1 job interviews with at least two of the participating companies.
The result? Companies struggled to select only one student (a few seriously considered hiring two candidates, but lacked the capacity as startups) and we welcomed a vibrant group of young people with unlimited potential into the tech industry. Learn more about the talented 2021 Cohort of Student Interns from the A2EF DE&I Internship Program here.
DE&I: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion. I would argue that these three letters have become the acronym for our generation.
And now more than ever, I am grateful to be part of an organization in my professional life, that upholds the values that I cherish as a person.
Every day I am excited to work together with company builders and community leaders who collectively desire to create positive change through actions. To support one another as businesses and individuals and hopefully serve as a model for others who share the desire to collaborate and to lead. Ann Arbor represents a special place in our state. A region where diversity exists in many forms that we can see and hear and it is largely embraced. This is why we cannot forget the privilege we have living within the artificial walls of this geography.
Just as the election of 2016 showed us there is much more to America than the coasts, there is more to Michigan than Ann Arbor. Lets not create walls where none exist. Our world is global and not only interconnected, but interdependent. COVID-19 has only solidified that what makes us similar, our vulnerabilities as humans, is much more pervasive and far reaching than what makes us different.
We cannot control that we are all hard-wired to make assumptions. And to respond to difference and the unknown as a potential threat. Life since 2020 has been one potential threat after another. Threats to our livelihoods, our health, our ability to connect with the important people in our lives and our self-worth.
What we can control is our response.
We have been given the opportunity to collectively reinvent ourselves and our surroundings. To support one another, to serve one another and uplift each other so we can emerge stronger and more resilient. Inclusion and equity are achieved when those in positions of influence and power speak up for and create opportunities for those who are not. THANK YOU to all the leaders at the Entrepreneurs Fund and within our community for using your influence and power to support the work we undertake to ensure that all those who seek to contribute to our community will feel that they belong and be empowered to realize their potential.
