Racial classism is a norm that has been followed by people from various sects of life. It all began with the immigration of African slaves to America and other European countries. Since then these people have been subjected to numerous allegations and negative treatment just because of a darker skin tone.
Even today, most felonies and arrests that take place in the US see a majority of black-skinned people get arrested. Even though they are completely innocent of any charges. So, to fight against this crude norm people all around the globe have risen against Racism and so has Apple.
Apple has been taking up many initiatives in technological advancements but also in safeguarding the players of Apple. And now, as we can expect from Apple, it has come forward with the Racial Equity and Justice initiative.
The big News
Following the death of George Floyd at the hands of Minneapolis police officers, Apple announced their Racial Equity and Justice Initiative in June, becoming one of several companies to reveal donations and commitments.
Furthermore last year, YouTube announced a $100 million investment in a Black creator initiative, while PayPal announced a $530 million plan to support Black-owned businesses and combat economic inequality.
Apple said on Tuesday that it would spend $30 million as part of its $100 million Racial Equity and Justice Initiative to enhance education initiatives for Hispanic and Black students.
A Global Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) Equity Innovation Hub and expanded programming for community institutions and historically Black colleges and universities are among the projects announced by the tech giant (HBCUs). The Apple Entrepreneur Camp will have a new group of Latino developers and founders. There will also be funding for leaders who work towards environmental justice reform.
Apple stated that 60% of undergraduate students in HSIs or HBCUs were Latino/Black and that its projects would "help equip the next generation" of leaders and students to eliminate institutional racism and perpetuate inequalities.
Apple’s Racial Equity Program.
Apple CEO Tim Cook stated that the commitments he has made would enable the young leaders of tomorrow to start new businesses, create groundbreaking innovations, and inspire many others to fight for justice.
According to USA TODAY's analysis of Census Bureau estimates on workforce demographics, Apple and the most highly-valued tech companies in the country reproduce the same disparities found in older industries like banking. Hispanic and black employees are less likely to be managers, executives, or professionals. They also tend to work in lower-level, lower-paying jobs.
USA TODAY discovered that 64% of the 52,000 black employees at Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, and Amazon are laborers.
According to the latest federal data, Apple's top executives comprise 80% white. Only one black woman and two Hispanic men make up the top ranks, according to the 2018 company data. Amazon was the only company with a higher proportion of white executives.
Black males make up 1.6 percent of Apple managers, while black women make up 1.3 percent. Hispanic men and women make up fewer than 5% and 2% of Apple managers, respectively.
Out of 30,745 employees, in Apple only 177 black women in professional positions. Hispanic workers make up 15% of the lower-level positions and black workers 10%.
Following Apple CEO Tim Cook's announcement of a $100 million racial justice fund to combat "systemic obstacles to opportunity and dignity," a group of Black Apple employees and allies demanded that the company remove the same restrictions internally.
Cook was notified by email that "As an industry leader, this company has a responsibility to create a workspace that works properly for all its workers."
Apple's senior vice president of retail and people, Deirdre O'Brien, informed the staff that while "transformation will not happen quickly," "Apple must do more to help our black colleagues," according to USA Today.
What will the $30 million in new projects be used for?
Apple also intends to build the first developer academy in the United States in Detroit The academy will offer two courses: the first is a 30-day introduction course that will assist participants in better grasp what it takes to be a developer. The other option is to enroll in a 10- to a 12-month intensive program that would prepare them to work as a developer and potentially establish their own company.
In collaboration with California State University, Apple has announced the creation of a Global HSI Equity Innovation center (CSU). This center will assist Hispanic, Black, and Asian American students in becoming "stem innovators and creators" (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics). Apple's aim is to establish regional HSI Equity Innovation Hubs at connected schools and institutions, as well as national collaborations, according to the company. Isn't it fantastic? I'm not sure how many other organizations are working on similar transformation initiatives.
Apple will partner with Tennessee State University as well to expand its role in historically Black institutions. This includes Clark Atlanta University and Florida A & M University. It will also team up its expansion to 11 additional schools, Texas Southern University and Texas Southern University. This will bring the total number of community coding centers to 45 and create regional hubs for HBCU campuses across the country to increase their involvement.
Apple said it would spend $10 million with Harlem Capital, a New York-based venture capital firm, to promote investments in startups with diverse founders as part of the announcement. It will also contribute $25 million to the Clear Vision Impact Fund, which invests in small and medium-sized enterprises with an emphasis on minority-owned firms.
Apple announced that it would expand its Entrepreneur Camp program to Hispanics to include the first Hispanic founders or developers. They will be able to work with Apple engineers, leaders, and experts next year.
As evident from the various actions of Apple, it will invest in several organizations to promote racial justice, such as the Anti-Recidivism Coalition, Council on Criminal Justice, Innocence Project, Recidivism, The Sentencing Project, and Vera Institute of Justice. This is to help prevent harsh sentencing of underrepresented groups in criminal justice.
Apple also announced that it would help Houston, New Orleans, and Los Angeles community colleges implement programs to assist paroled and incarcerated individuals in learning new skills and prevent recidivism.
Winding-up
Misjudging someone on the basis of their skin color and ethnicity is a criminal offense. In some countries, racial discrimination is even a punishable offense. So, it is really commendable Apple is pushing forward the idea of Racial Equality among its users and employees.
Black/ Brown-skinned people are now a major percentage of the global workforce and one nation can only progress if it provides equal rights for all its citizens, irrespective of caste, creed, and race.
So, will this initiative by Apple make massive changes? Well, it's hard to tell. But, one thing is for sure. Efforts like this will no doubt help people come out and make a significant impact. Cus, two steps forward and one step back still mean one step forward. Thus, long live the enthu of Apple to help the discriminated. We genuinely wish their initiative turns out to be a massive success.
