Is There Still Racism in IT Hiring Practices?

Slashdot asks an important question

Is There Still Racism in IT Hiring Practices?

I know that the world has come along way, but you have to admit that there is still a ways to go. I have seen the racism on both ends in the IT world and quite recently as well. I am a white male, age 32, clean cut professional looking IT Professional. I have been on the board when prospective candidates come to interview for more that one company mind you. The way these boards usually work is to have either a manager or supervisor from several different aspects of the company such ass HR, server support, front end support, sometimes sales, you get the point. The purpose is to see several things like the knowledge of the candidate, how they handle pressure and what type of problem solving skills and people skills they have. I have seen very qualified candidates turned down in lieu of lesser qualified candidates and when you look back the only thing that sticks out in skin color. I heard a conversation once were management would actually discuss ways to decline candidates that would not appear to be racial. On the flip side, even though I am a white male, age 32, clean cut professional looking IT Professional, I am also a Gay white male, age 32, clean cut professional looking IT Professional and have been on the receiving end of this myself. I have been called back for several follow up interviews and while discussing salary and start dates, I would ask if they offered domestic benefits and would not ever be called back with a hire date or an explanation. Come on, your talking salary and hire dates and then you drop off the map. I must admit that I am quite lucky as I have learned not to ask such things until after I am hired or get a package and read all the fine print. I know that this might be viewed as cowardly or devious but a person has gotta eat. I can see how someone how is of a different race is not so lucky. I will admit that the IT Industry as a whole is much better that say oilfield or construction work. I do find that in the IT and for that much the "White Collar" world, there is a tendency to be much more coy in the discrimination. All I know is that it is 2006 and we need to wake up really fast.

Peace