Its fantastic to see a triumph for good sense.
I would like to to thank Microsoft Corp. and all the employees and outsiders that have recently lobbied for the firm to maintain, rather than soften, its strong position on driving discrimination out of public life.
I am not sure we have all understood, yet, just how important the events of last week were. But it could be a seminal moment. The moment at which we said: “We’re not going to take it any more”
Let me ask you–when was the last time you saw an organization under seige by the Right not capitulate? Every day seems to throw up another defeat of liberal, scientific, reality-based thinking…
Last week saw a fight back by right-minded people. The kind of folks that don’t use “liberal” as an insult. It feels really good. Think about it. Savor it. Drink it up. Flex those muscles. That is how the “moral majority” wakes up feeling.
Maybe we can do it again.
Maybe its really us that is the majority. I mean, Will and Grace is a top rated show, isn’t it? I don’t want to upset anyone but i feel its my duty to point out–there is gay comedy in the show…
Stephen O’Grady, my business partner, believes that in 50 years we’ll look back and be surprised that anyone was publicly discriminated against people because of their sexual orientation, much as today we find it difficult to understand the sometimes casual yet always brutal institutionalized rascism of pre-Civil Rights movement America. But how to we do get from here to there?
The world needs to change, but we won’t get there by accident. World Changing requires leadership.
I have always admired Microsoft’s willingness to admit it made a mistake and do something about it.
By listening, and acting accordingly, Microsoft has shown that its on the side of the angels.
In the words of Steve Ballmer: “Let’s all recommit to the job ahead, using our diversity as a strength to work together creatively and with respect for each other.”
Those are sentiments we should all approve of and buy into.
Jaime Cardoso says:
May 10, 2005 at 12:27 am
James, I agree with you almost interely.
The thing we should be aplauding was if religious organizations stayed out of the lifes of people that don’t want to follow that organization (or religion). By the same argument (and being utopic and somewhat naive) Microsoft should be involved in technology debates and should stay out of social issues.
But, yes, at least they are “on the side of the angels” and that has to count for something. I just hope that someday people will find out that actions made by consentual adults aren’t open for discussion by society at large, neither to be for nor against.
Catherine Helzerman says:
May 10, 2005 at 4:13 pm
This is excellent news. Well done Microsoft.