URL: https://annaecook.com/writing/tag-youre-it
“Tag You’re It” is a blogging trend among tech workers who share content with the community. The trend prompts a creator to write a post answering questions and tag others to write.
Questions answered:
- Why did you start blogging?
- What platform are you using to manage your blog, and why did you choose it?
- Have you blogged on other platforms before?
- How do you write your posts? For example, in a local editing tool, or in a panel/dashboard that’s part of your blog?
- When do you feel most inspired to write?
- Do you publish immediately after writing, or do you let it simmer a bit as a draft?
- What are you generally interested in writing about?
- Who are you writing for?
- What’s your favorite post on your blog?
- Any future plans for your blog? Maybe a redesign, a move to another platform, or adding a new feature?
I didn’t write about my work for years.
I did not feel qualified to write about my work in my early design career. Looking back on that now, part of me wishes I had felt differently, but another part thinks it was a reasonable feeling.
It’s never been easy working in tech as a (unknowingly at first) neurodivergent (half-closeted) queer woman. I was relatively sheltered during my undergraduate studies, and when working as a graphic/web designer back then. As soon as I began working full-time, I was thrown into the reality of working in tech as someone marginalized in this space.
When I started, tech work was exceptionally marginalizing, traumatic, and unregulated (it still can be).
Over time, I realized that not only am I qualified (not to brag, but I’m a good designer), but that people marginalized in tech should be uniquely supported in sharing our perspectives. My mentors and peers showed me that we can collectively make this space safer and better by sharing our thoughts and pushing our communities.
But it wasn’t enough. I needed the details to understand every part of this space, not just the compliance. I needed to understand the systemic gaps, the users behind the need, and the people involved in the work before me. This also drove me to write and talk about my work.
I saw an opportunity for the design and tech spaces to impact the users they seek to connect with positively, and I wanted to be a part of that change.
Suddenly, tech leaders became very interested in accessibility and inclusive design.
Companies started to worry they might be held legally, financially, and publicly accountable for their disinterest in serving marginalized audiences. Tech products that had previously prioritized accessibility sparingly had accessibility teams pop up and DEI commitments declared.They were forced to do better quickly and some used this to build brand loyalty and PR. Conferences that had rarely offered accessibility or inclusion talks were bringing in speakers like me and my peers.
To be frank, I think I gained recognition over some who likely deserved it more, who had been doing this work for far longer than I had.
The tech sector largely treated DEI and accessibility as trends and begrudgingly complied with the movements. Musk silenced the advocates and opened the path for other companies to follow suit. Tech companies quietly stripped down their DEI and accessibility programs.
Namely, I’ve accepted and begun accommodating myself for my neurodivergence, which has helped in ways I never thought possible. I will share more on that in the future. I’ve also invested time in hobbies again and reclaimed my joy in boredom. I rediscovered the quiet moments of reading books on rainy days and riding my bike in the sunshine.
But I want to write now to help change that, because I still believe in the promise that tech can innovate and be good.
It’s time for us to change, for the better.
I believe that the tech space can recalibrate for the better, and this is a critical moment to use my platform and (still confusingly) broad reach to try and push for just that. Working in tech, we’ve often been told to bring authentic ideas and feedback to drive innovation. Why wouldn’t we do that now?
The long-term strategy for products is about creating and sustaining technology meant for people and driven to better humanity and our planet. That means all of humanity, including people who are marginalized. We already know technology is better when designed inclusively and driven by accessible standards.
If you work in tech, don’t forget: we are the creators of this technology and the ones doing the work. The reality is that much of tech leadership’s vision is only made possible by our work and skills. It takes our consent and effort to make what is happening possible.
Yes, the tools change, and the narrative shifts. But you have the power to shift that narrative too. You have the skills to change the tools. My voice matters, your voice matters. Even if you’re not writing articles or speaking on a stage, your actions can influence so much. Your effort makes the difference between designing for no one and designing for everyone.
We create because we are human; the act of creation is our existence manifesting.
Whatever pros and cons exist in AI, I personally believe our act of creation still matters most. Our creativity connects us together. We care more about art when another human being makes it because it is an expression of their existence at the time they lived. I don’t think that experience is replaceable.