[AJ007]

I had to dig up one of my old comments about YC China, because I specifically recall this one. I think the issue isn't one elephant in the room, it is elephants.

My comment from August 15, 2018:

"I would like to see a statement that YC China will not discriminate based on ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual orientation and more importantly will not support startups which create technology which make doing so easier."

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=17765394

* and this is not meant to exonerate US startups or hold them to another standard

[icelancer]

The idea that this kind of equality is going to be a thing in China is putting the cart about 200 miles ahead of the horse.

[bakuninsbart]

China, as most other communist countries, implemented gender workplace equality much earlier than the West. Furthermore, China has probably the most aggressive affirmative action programs in the world. Yes, China is bad on human rights in some aspects, but these blatant misrepresentations need to stop. They only serve the massive propaganda campaign the US started in recent years.

[tiredyam]

it’s not just about gender equality. The west is significantly ahead in supporting LGBTQ both culturally and structurally. sure we have a long way to go but hell “trans positive” is now a selling point even Amazon fulfillment is touting and marriage is legal in many western countries. The same can’t be said about China or Chinese companies

Oh and don’t get me started about race

[ericmay]

Affirmative action programs like rounding up Uighur Muslims and making them more Han Chinese?

You’re right about China (and other communist countries) being first on gender equality at least in some respects, but... so what? In the West it’s good enough at a macro scale.

Saying China is bad on human rights in some respects is a gross understatement.

[scilro]

It's totally possible to allow a counter terrorism program to run rampant with abuses while also having strong affirmative action programs.

The US definitely does it...

[Jamwinner]

Those are strong, and unlikely assertions. Do you have any sources for your claims?

[AlexanderNull]

They're right from the gender standpoint, according to the UN which ranks China as having better gender equality than the US: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gender_Inequality_Index

[icelancer]

>> ethnicity, gender, religion, or sexual orientation

Eh, one out of four ain't bad, I guess.

[whoevercares]

Native Chinese here. Some Minorities get automatic extra points and special admission category at college entrance examination. You don’t know how big a deal it is to normal Chineses

[wastedhours]

> gender workplace equality

The workplace isn't the only area where someone can leverage technology to discriminate against a characteristic...

[the_resistance2]

Beyond delusional, ink on books has no bearing on the real world

[pengstrom]

Then don't do business with them? Not enforcing basic human rights is not a good look.

[Cthulhu_]

Gotta start somewhere. There wouldn't be as strong a push for equality in the workspace nowadays if it wasn't for (amongst others) YC backed companies pushing for it.

[aiphex]

Agreed. Not insuring basic human rights is a non starter.