Sexism and Inequality Are No Match Against Google Employees

On November 1st, thousands of employees and engineers of Google from around the world walked out on their jobs. This bold move marks an important time in the tech giant’s life: People are protesting the company’s way of handling workplace harassment, inequality, and executives accused of sexual misconduct.

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Starting in Asian countries, the walk-off was scheduled at 11:10 in the morning across varying time zones. The hashtag #GoogleWalkout was used by protesters and supporters alike on social media to help spread the word. @GoogleWalkout is a Twitter account solely and specifically created for this momentous event. The protest began in the east, with Tokyo, Zurich, Singapore, Berlin, Israel, London, and Haifa first. At 11:10 AM in the states, Google employees based in Massachusetts, New York City, Toronto, Montreal, San Francisco took their stand. The walkout culminated at Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, California.

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The protest was meant to capture public interest and shed light with the goings on within the company. Aptly named “Walkout for Real Change,” the timing of the protest couldn’t have been more perfect. The walkout came seven days after a story broke about the sexual misconduct allegations against Andy Rubin, the creator of the Android software. The New York Times posted the story.

In the report, Google is alleged to have received approximately $90 million in severance in 2014. The company doesn’t categorically deny the allegations, but Rubin has made it clear through a tweet that the report is full of inaccuracy and has denied everything. Richard DeVaul, the director at a Google-affiliated lab responsible for the self-driving vehicles, was also dragged into the same report. Details of sexual misconduct allegations were revealed and Google has since confirmed on Wednesday that DeVaul resigned on Tuesday without any severance.

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Google employees have been on the fence whether the company and its executives have truly been vigilant in their efforts to eradicate harassment and sexual misconduct since Rubin’s departure. With the walkout a clear success, it is very obvious that Google needs to step it up and adhere to Alphabet Inc.’s mandate to “do the right thing”. Among the supporters is Silicon Valley congresswoman Jackie Speier. Using the haghtag #MeToo, Speier voiced her support via tweet. In a statement she said that she is one with the Google employees and engineers that spearheaded the protest.

The Wisdom Segment - World

I Contrary to popular belief, "Buddha" refers to a title, not a personal name. It means "awakened one." Siddhartha Gautama was a monk from Nepal, and legend has it that he was born under a full moon, in a beautiful garden. It is believed that the moment he was born, the earth shook and the sky showered flower petals. His mother, Queen Maya of Sakya, passed away a week after she gave birth.

II Siddhartha Gautama came from a Hindu background. Both Hinduism and Buddhism share core beliefs. The primary difference is that Hinduism involves the worship of gods, while Buddhism does not. Instead, Buddhism believes in three elemental concepts. First, nothing in this life is permanent; second, people's actions have consequences; and last, people can always change. When Siddhartha was asked to summarize all his teachings with one word, he chose, "Awareness."

III Another moniker that Siddhartha had was the "Great Physician," because of his concern for determining what causes suffering in humans, and how it can be eliminated. He found that there is a very simple secret to happiness, and that is to be happy with the things you have and to refrain from desiring the things you do not have. Siddhartha also aimed to achieve "Nirvana," an everlasting state of enlightenment. Some Buddhist theories have claimed that women could not achieve Nirvana. However, Siddhartha believed there was no reason for women not to.

IV Statues of Buddha often have short and curly hair, which represents his rejection of his privileged past. They also often depict him with eyes half-closed, which represents his state of meditation and his indifference to the material world. Siddhartha Gautama should not be mistaken for the fat Buddha figures that people display in Chinese restaurants. He is not Siddhartha, but Budai, a character in Chinese folklore.

V Siddhartha is believed to have lived for 80 years during the 5th century BC. He passed away between two Sal trees that bloomed miraculously upon his death. When Siddhartha was cremated, his remains were divided among his followers in India. A stupa, or a big ceremonial mound shaped like a dome, was built at each of the burial sites.

VI Buddhism does not entail a belief in the devil. However, things can be considered "evil" if they cause pain and suffering. The Buddha believed that ego causes human suffering and that happiness begins when ego ends. Buddhists do not worship the Buddha as he too was human, not a god. The religion also believes that whoever successfully achieves enlightenment is a "buddha."

Sexism and Inequality Are No Match Against Google Employees

The Wisdom Segment - World

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