Facebook responds to charge that it has a ‘black people problem’
A former manager says that despite the company’s claims of increasing inclusion and diversity efforts, the social media giant has a long way to go to create a welcoming workplace—and product.
Facebook is facing another crisis—this time from a more common source: a former employee.
Mark S. Luckie, a former manager and diversity advocate at the company, published a memo he sent to executives before leaving his post Nov. 16.
It read, in part:
Facebook has a black people problem.
One of the platform’s most engaged demographics and an unmatched cultural trendsetter is having their community divided by the actions and inaction of the company. This loss is a direct reflection of the staffing and treatment of many of its black employees.
In my role as Strategic Partner Manager for Global Influencers focused on Underrepresented Voices, I’ve been uniquely exposed to the issues surrounding the internal and external representation of black people here.
Luckie went on to criticize the experience of black consumers on the platform as well as address how black workers feel working for the company. He offered concrete recommendations for what Facebook should do to become a more inclusive workplace, including holding a diversity audit.
The article made headlines, though some at Facebook didn’t agree with Luckie’s assessment.
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