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Comment by harlanji | Hacker News Reader

More should do this. I am blackballed from Silicon Valley from a series of bad employers and have a misdemeanor driving-related arrest, so a Day Labor non-profit that does the same has been my only way of attaining employment. My income has dropped 10x but it’s enough to feed me, and most of my network has turned its back on me. I am hired by executives and doctors for cash now who feel I am wasting my skills too.

I have great skills from over 18 years of passionate programming, being squandered. If any bay area tech companies hire like this, I’ll make your year.

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All you do is sit and complain and act like a victim on your twitter account. Your mentality is what’s holding you back. You can’t be blackballed in Silicon Valley. I’ve hired so many people without reference checks and have been hired in the same manner.

Change your attitude and you can return to programming.

Thanks for sending me down that rabbit hole.

And no, I don't think it's Silicon Valley that's holding him back, it's more companies where the people value "not wanting to get shot at work".

> Change your attitude and you can <fill in the blank>.

It is amazing how much of the complaining and "activism" in this world is so shallow that it can be dismissed with nothing more than a single statement of the above form.

It is also amazing how infrequently this form of statement is utilized for that rightful purpose...

I don't know how you get blackballed from SV, I've certainly interviewed candidates, and I'd never heard of you, so I would have hired you.

I quickly glanced though at your online work, and your portfolio contains you calling a previous manager something that would make sure I'd never hire you.

So the only evidence of blackballing is your own. I'd suggest taking it down, and trying more.

re: the portfolio line — wow.

> series of bad employers and have a misdemeanor driving-related arrest

Reading between the lines, it sounds like you have a chemical addiction. You will not be able to do well for yourself until you conquer this giant.

Seek help, my friend.

The racist rants on your Twitter sure ain't helping, bud.

Have you tried contract work? Even if you have to lowball a bit to get traction, you should be able to make a lot more than as a day laborer.

+1 to contract work. Could start your own projects which would also help build out your portfolio.

Try remote (and maybe contract) work.

Also, Silicon Valley is not the only place to find tech work - don't forget there are plenty of companies all over the world who are building lovely things too. ;)

Tried out upwork.com?

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