Algorithm

Inspired by a member of the National Football League claiming he has been drug tested more often than his fellow teammates. While this may seem like a race conversation, 70% of the league is African-American -so it is inevitable that the black player would be drug tested more than their other teammates. With that being said, the question now is, why this person?

This player has been openly protesting the systematic oppression of African Americans that is prevalent in America today. Alongside a few others, he and the others have used their platform to PEACEFULLY shine a light on specific issues. During a recent interview, he stated that he has been drug tested substantially more than anyone else when the testing is supposed to be "random."

The NFLPA and NFL came out with a joint investigation and statement saying that they looked into the issue and checked with the third-party administrators to ensure it was random. They said, "There is no evidence of targeting or any other impropriety with respect to his selection for testing." The third-party drug test administrators said they use a system and Algorithm to "randomly" generate players' names. They claim, "The report also demonstrates that (player's name) tests were randomly generated via computer algorithm and that his selection for testing was normal when compared with the number of tests players were randomly selected for throughout the league during the time that he was on the active roster." 

The problem with that statement is that AN ALGORITHM CAN NOT BE RANDOM! A study by the Engineering Department at MIT concluded that it is impossible for a computer-generated algorithm to be completely random. The definition of an algorithm is a set of rules to follow to solve a problem/come to a conclusion. The study at MIT concluded that an algorithm will always favor certain variables attached to inputs. So, the question is, what variables are attached to his name?

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Link to MIT study: https://engineering.mit.edu/engage/ask-an-engineer/can-a-computer-generate-a-truly-random-number/

There have been other instances where African Americans in power have been specifically targeted, yet it is covered up by this idea of "random" or "routine." Six Point Four is calling out those who have been victims of this "random" Algorithm or "routine" check-ups. It is time to call out and question what inputs are used and what specific variables are attached to individuals' names.