Congratulations Jeff, you ended the month of March as the second richest man on the planet. That's quite an accomplishment, as is getting there in a way many thought could not be done. You turned what started as an online bookseller into a retail giant that has changed the way many Americans shop.
Amazon has sure changed the way I shop. Yes, I'm a Prime member. I watch Prime video, I enjoy the two day shipping and I only get slightly miffed when I look up some random item, like a spatula, and spend the next five weeks looking at spatula adds in my Facebook feed. That actually brings me to my point, Jeff, Amazon ads are exactly what I want to talk with you about. No, not the ads that show up on Facebook, I get that's the price of admission. It's the ads that show up elsewhere, on Breitbart for example, the alt-right website and purveyor of hate propaganda that we need to talk about.
First off, I understand, it's complicated. Amazon doesn't place ads directly on Breitbart. The ads show up as the result of big third party buys that leverage high tech and analytics to provide wide brand exposure. However, that doesn't excuse Amazon, or you, from taking a stand with your media partners to block Amazon branded ads from appearing on a site next to a headline reading, "Birth control makes women unattractive and crazy" or any of these other equally offensive gems. If Alexa can figure out someone just asked her to send an electric razor to Rockford, Illinois in two days, you clearly have the talent to figure out how to selectively promote Amazon without supporting hate on sites like Breitbart.
Hundreds of your own employees are making the same ask but you're not taking action, why? People calling Amazon customer service asking you to stop are being hung up on, why? Jeff, we deserve better. We supported you, we supported Amazon. We think Blue Origin is cool and The Washington Post legendary and yet you're not hearing us. Why? Please don't let it be all about the money. You recently passed Warren Buffett on the list of world's richest people. Mr. Buffett is working hard to give his fortune away for the common good. Are you really the guy that has to amass more for himself in a relentless attempt to win? That's a Trump move and I can't believe it your true motivation. If it were, you might pass Buffett but you will never equal him.
You've no doubt heard of the #GrabYourWallet campaign encouraging people to avoid Trump branded products. Now, I don't particularly care if Ivanka sells some ugly shoes or if some people are dumb enough to buy subpar Trump branded merchandise. And clearly, no one should eat anything from the Mar-a-Lago kitchen after its most recent health code inspection. I do care about fighting hate and intolerance and, against those, the idea to vote with one's wallet has been used recently in some very meaningful ways. The North Carolina legislature, for example, was pressured to redo its discriminatory bathroom bill in the face continued economic sanction by corporations and individuals sensitive to intolerance. Sleeping Giants have also successfully lobbied advertisers away from Breitbart and the O'Reilly Factor via social media.
Jeff, Amazon is missing from that list of corporations that have taken a stand against intolerance and hate. Yes, I know Amazon isn't alone in supporting sites like Breitbart with ad revenue but by virtue of who you are, and what Amazon is, the influence both can have on change is profound. Yes, I'm singling you out which you might argue is unfair. However, scrutiny comes with the territory of your great success.
Some things matter, Jeff. Fighting hate is one of them. I don't want Alexa to stop buying me stuff on Amazon nor do I want to quit watching Mozart in the Jungle but you're not leaving me much choice. Making the decision to leave Amazon may or may not make a difference to you or alter Amazon's ad spend any time soon. Looking at social media, I'm not the only one considering the decision so there's some comfort in that. There is also comfort in knowing I'll be able to look in the mirror without seeing someone who is party to racism, misogyny, and hate for the sake of two day delivery or to save a buck. What do want to see?
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