I have been meditating for a while on the concept of negative space. In art, positive space represents the center, and the area around is considered negative space. Negative space isn't bad. Rather, it's necessary for a balanced composition. Positive space can't exist without negative space. But what's interesting to me is negative space goes … Continue reading Attending to Negative Space
Category: Culture
Whose Turn Is It Anyway?
I believe there's a shift happening in the U.S. Where white supremacy and patriarchy remain thick, people are grateful to see the usual suspects in charge. But in other places, where the air is less smoggy, people are downright fed up with the old guard (OG). People are ready for someone else to lead. … Continue reading Whose Turn Is It Anyway?
Dinner with the Professor
"Do you speak Spanish?" The Latino professor asks, in between bites of deliciously fresh tacos. We are at an outdoor wedding reception in Santa Ana, California. He and his wife happen to be sharing a table with me and a white couple. The professor and I are in the middle of a lively conversation with … Continue reading Dinner with the Professor
The Welcome We Give
In our part of the United States, the world has come to work here at various tech companies and startups. Whether their transition is across the country, across the pond, or across the globe, each newcomer wonders, 'Will there be a home for me here? Will I belong?' Seattle does not have a good track … Continue reading The Welcome We Give
Lunch with the ‘Bros’
Sometimes, I feel like I'm on the show "Silicon Valley," the fictional HBO show about "bro" life at a startup. To be honest, I haven't watched the show. I feel like it would just be too painful and traumatic for me. A little too real. Like this lunch. I like to keep in touch with … Continue reading Lunch with the ‘Bros’
The Invisible in the City
I think the key difference in working downtown versus the suburbs is proximity. Buildings and structures are closer together; human beings physically share space. As I make the cold, wintry walk to my office, I walk alongside other commuters. I also pass by the homeless and marginalized on the street. One day, one man in … Continue reading The Invisible in the City
Crossing the Bridge to the Other Side
"PEOPLE don't like crossing the bridge to the other side. They stay on their side of the bridge, we stay on our side," advised a local pastor years ago, before we moved to Washington State's Puget Sound area. He added, "That's just the culture, the way things are around here." Why do people prefer their … Continue reading Crossing the Bridge to the Other Side
What the Evangelical Church Can Learn from Tech about Diversity
The technology industry is not known for great diversity. A few years ago, top tech companies like Apple, Google and Microsoft started to publish their ethnic and gender diversity numbers publicly, in an effort to be more transparent. There's usually a narrative to explain these numbers, along with initiatives for improvement. The American evangelical church … Continue reading What the Evangelical Church Can Learn from Tech about Diversity
The God who is Faithful
One of the traits I value in a good leader is someone who looks out for his or her followers - even at their own expense. This is why I'm a fan of the Chinese movie, "Hero,1" where the hero is someone who sacrifices his life for many. His sacrifice shows his faithfulness to his … Continue reading The God who is Faithful
Not Losing My Edge
Working in the technology industry, I have to constantly keep up with — or be ahead of — the latest technological trends and innovations. It's not just an optional activity when my schedule allows, it's absolutely vital in order to stay competitive as a company and for me, to stay employable as a worker. Those … Continue reading Not Losing My Edge
