Apple’s Vice President of Inclusion and Diversity Denise Young Smith has apologized for comments she made about Apple’s commitment to inclusiveness.
Speaking at the One Young World Summit in Bogotá, Colombia last week, Smith made a comment defending diversity that’s not about skin color or gender, but rather lived experiences — therefore allowing a group of “12 white blue-eyed blond men” to be considered diverse.
However, despite meaning well with the comment, Young’s response was criticized by some commentators, who felt it undermined the need for greater diversity in tech by suggesting a company could remain overwhelmingly white and male, while still considering itself diverse. Read Denise Young Smith’s response letter to Apple employees below.
“Colleagues,
I have always been proud to work for Apple in large part because of our steadfast commitment to creating an inclusive culture. We are also committed to having the most diverse workforce and our work in this area has never been more important. In fact, I have dedicated my twenty years at Apple to fostering and promoting opportunity and access for women, people of color and the underserved and unheard.
Last week, while attending a summit in Bogota, I made some comments as part of a conversation on the many factors that contribute to diversity and inclusion.
I regret the choice of words I used to make this point. I understand why some people took offense. My comments were not representative of how I think about diversity or how Apple sees it. For that, I’m sorry.
More importantly, I want to assure you Apple’s view and our dedication to diversity has not changed.
Understanding that diversity includes women, people of color, LGBTQ people, and all underrepresented minorities is at the heart of our work to create an environment that is inclusive of everyone.
Our commitment at Apple to increasing racial and gender diversity is as strong as it’s ever been. I’m proud of the progress we’ve made, but there is much work to be done. I’m continually reminded of the importance of talking about these issues and learning from each other.
Best,
Denise”
The diversity of experience
To put Young’s recent comments in context, she told last week’s One Young World Summit panel that, “Diversity is the human experience. I get a little bit frustrated when diversity or the term diversity is tagged to the people of color or the women or the LGBT or whatever … There can be 12 white blue-eyed blond men in a room, and they are going to be diverse too because they’re going to bring a different life experience and life perspective to the conversation.”
She continued that, to her, diversity is about bringing all of the voices into the room who have something valuable to add to a given scenario. While it’s a good overall message, it’s not difficult to see how some people were offended by it — particularly at a time when the subject of getting more people into tech from a variety of underrepresented backgrounds is being so heavily promoted.
What did you think of the comments, and the subsequent explanation? Drop us your thoughts below.
Source: TechCrunch
Luke Dormehl is a U.K.-based journalist and author, with a background working in documentary film for Channel 4 and the BBC. He is the author of The Apple Revolution and The Formula: How Algorithms Solve All Our Problems … and Create More, both published by Penguin/Random House. His tech writing has also appeared in Wired, Fast Company, Techmeme and other publications.
5 responses to “Apple’s VP of Diversity walks back recent controversial comments”
OMG! OMG! To think there are still people in positions of authority who seriously believe it’s possible to differentiate people based on the content of the character and not the colour of their skin. Oh the humanity.
You mean each person is different based on their own experiences, skills, and intellect? Each white male is not completely identical in every way?
WTF is wrong with people who get upset about stuff like this? On top of that, why would she think she needs to apologize for that statement?
Grossly grossed out by the grossly gross LOL
It’s not “either/or” . . . it’s AND.
Candidly, I was surprised by the reaction from the general public regarding Denise Young Smith’s statement. Denise is the head of Diversity AND INCLUSION for Apple. That means that the strategies & solutions Apple employs must solve for more than just visible representation. It must also strive to achieve an optimized workforce. And yes – a truly diverse & optimized workforce begins with insuring appropriate representation amongst its ranks. However, far too often the “I” component of any D&I strategy gets overlooked. I refer to it as a lowercase “i”. Denise’s statement highlights the importance of capitalizing the “I”, because an inclusive culture – not just a diverse culture – allows for differences in thought, style, approach, & values. In short – inclusion is where the magic happens. That next big idea. That innovative approach to an existing practice in woeful need of change. Inclusion leads to growth & advancement – individually & organizationally. It’s an employee engagement lever that is a must in order to succeed.
I applaud Denise’s initial statement. And I’m frankly baffled by the “apology”. Now is a time to educate – not cower. As a fellow practitioner, and as an African-American woman, I encourage Denise to maintain the courage of her convictions. These are interesting times we live in. And as in other turbulent times in our history, leaders need to be comfortable with being uncomfortable. AND – comfortable with making OTHERS uncomfortable.
Her role is not an easy one to perform, but her accountability is to the global Apple employee base. Feathers will get ruffled. Veils will be lifted. Truths will be told & myths will be busted. And, as a result, hopefully Apple moves the needle internally in such a manner that it results in winning in the marketplace.
The absence of inclusion as a partner to diversity efforts results in employees checking their hearts & minds at the door. And let’s face it. You don’t want employees to simply show up. You want them to SHOW UP. EVERYONE must show up.
Keep fighting the good fight, Denise. Remember . . . AND.
“optimized workforce begins with insuring appropriate representation amongst its ranks” I have no problem with people of different skin colors working together in the work force. I mean it’s 2017, who does? But your statement is one of those platitudes that sound nice but doesn’t mean anything.
Apple is desperate for the best minds it can find; to imply it’s their fault that there aren’t more blacks, or more women, or more [insert identity here] is not a claim supported by reality.
The reason Apple’s work force isn’t “more diverse” is because, for whatever reason, the people not represented at Apple are either not interested or not qualified to work there.