This week, in reaction to an Black venture capitalist who claimed that the VC industry is racist venture capitalists and businessman Joe Lonsdale attributed differences in venture capital investments on “average black culture.” Read the article about Tweets 8vc joe: VC Joe Lonsdale’s tweets about ‘woke’ tech diversity spark.

“A real view: average black culture needs to step it up and stop having as many kids born out of wedlock (statistical indicator of underperformance) / who don’t value education or spend as much time on homework,” wrote Lonsdale in the series of tweets that has since been deleted. of tweets.

Tweets 8vc joe

The opinion of Lonsdale whom co-founded Palantir and is the director of the early-stage venture company 8VC was met with rapid criticism from a variety of investors in the tech sector and others, who demanded that Lonsdale’s advisors as well as restricted partners — including those like Yahoo CEO Jerry Yang, Box CEO Aaron Levie and actor Leonardo DiCaprio — to voice their displeasure at the businessman’s conduct.

In a tweet with an image of Tweets 8vc joe from Lonsdale, Bessemer partner Elliott Robinson wrote “[I]t’s not VCs like Joe Lonsdalewho hold the tech industry and the society back. It’s the countless co-Investors and LPs and decision makers who remain silent because they don’t care they’re scared orthey are in agreement. I feel sorry for them to continue to behave in this way. It’s sad.”

General partner of Stealth mode Lolita Taub was a former general partner of the Stealth-mode firm. She previously invested through Backstage Capital and the Community Fund she advised anyone who disagrees to the Lonsdale’s “racist commentary” to unfollow her.

Know About Tweets 8vc joe

Lightship Capital GP Brian Brackeen In the meantime, Lightship Capital GP Brian Brackeen stated in an email in a tweet that “any LP of his is complicit” and “there there is nothing shameful for being his in SF. The culture is there to be open to people who are like him. Tech diversity won’t change until we expand the geographical boundaries.”

Lonsdale replied to a request for more information, saying to TechCrunch via email that the tweet had been “jumping on a flight” but added that “somebody edited a screenshot and took a tweet totally out of context in order to cause outrage.” He further stated that “the individuals who are threatening me have political motives. It is evident that they tend to be mostly of the left and favor divisive arguments instead of working toward positive solutions.”

Eric Christian Ramses, the founder of Undermine VC and the Stanford Robotics Club is the businessman Lonsdale initially addressed. Ramses claims Lonsdale “lied blatantly” about the tweets being altered and also showed a timestamped image of the tweets Lonsdale tweeted.

When asked about the specifics of what was altered on his Twitter posts, Lonsdale insists that the context of the statements was missing from the original tweet.

“I commented how past racism likely caused issues with some cultures today that we need to discuss and address, and given how terrible some of the things these communities experienced in the past were – red lining, Jim Crow, and so many terrible past issues – it isn’t necessarily fair to blame 100% of problems today on racism.”

Lonsdale said that he’s “invested thousands of dollars into black founders as well as in pertinent charitable causes. We are proud to collaborate with many consultants from the communities. we will continue to work to engage with people from these backgrounds to be a partner. Like I’ve stated that it’s not just stupid to make a distinction however, someone comes from an extremely difficult background but succeeds – it means that they’re more probably resilient. This suggests they’re a more successful founder to invest in. I’m looking forward to continuing to support brilliant black founders.”

When inquired regarding the Black founders Lonsdale invests in A spokesperson for Lonsdale said that this “doesn’t seem appropriate to list names and force [anyone] to answer questions” due to the fact that the Lonsdale’s “notes were taken out of context.”

Lonsdale has a remarkably accomplished business track of record, but also a history also of unresolved personal transactions. Alongside Palantir as well as 8VC, Lonsdale has co-founded several businesses, which include Addepar, OpenGov, Affinity, Epirus, Esper, Swiftscale Bio, Resilience Bio, Hearth and LIT, which has recently received an investment of $50 million in the form of Tiger Global.

He has been the central protagonist in several controversy, such as a split with his earlier investment partners and a well-known lawsuit brought by an ex Stanford student which was later dismissed.

In the past, he called “any man in an important position who takes 6 months of leave for a newborn…a loser.”

Lonsdale — who’s venture company has had success with his campaign to raise funds despite controversy — is trying to clarify his previous position since his announcement on Friday. On the identical day for instance he tweeted: “Worth clarifying: you may be against divisive or “woke” nonsense and I am. Yet, we need to appreciate the positive aspects of our society and the knowledge of our 21st century – that is why it’s crucial for us to recognize the past discrimination, kindness, and inclusive and against real discrimination of all kinds.”

“I don’t necessarily expect TC to give me a fair hearing – a sensational article attacking and making [people] think somebody is racist and getting angry is what you are taught to do in journalism these days – but I hope you’ll consider representing this view fairly,” Lonsdale stated in an email message to TechCrunch.

In a highly competitive and lucrative fundraising market Lonsdale’s controversial remarks could draw negative attention to his venture firm , and could make the founders less likely to invest in his venture. In fact, Block Party founder Tracy Chou said on Twitter that, prior to his most recent comments, Lonsdale had spoken to her Y Combinator batch and she said that his remarks on the stage being “terribly distasteful.”

“It sucks that even after everything he’s trotted out by the establishment as an exemplar and to give advice,” she tweeted.

However, Lonsdale may find it more difficult to collaborate with the industry’s tiny but increasing number of Black investors. Manager of the fund Del Johnson and Spencer Tyson, an associate at Revere VC, are among numerous investors who have taken to Twitter to debate Lonsdale’s statements following the incident and their anger was evident. Tyson wrote: “What you, and many others, fail to realize is that there is a difference between ‘woke’ culture and BLACK culture,” Tyson said. “We’re not your rich liberal friends you argue with at dinner parties… You attacked BLACK culture.”

At present, Lonsdale is continuing in his efforts to redefine his previous statements. “The data suggests that there are structural issues (likely caused by past racism) holding people back and causing disparity, not racism by VCs,” Lonsdale tweeted in a different response.