Read Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella’s email to employees on racism, inequality and injustice

If there’s one news — apart from coronavirus pandemic — that has dominated headlines in the US, then it’s the protests in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death. Several states have seen large-scale protests with the message being “Black Lives Matter.” Tech companies like Apple, Google, Amazon have pledged their support in every form and now Microsoft too has joined the cause.
In an email written to employees, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said that he is “heartbroken” by the deep pain communities are facing. He also said that it is Microsoft’s responsibility to use its platforms and resources to address “system inequities.”
Here’s Nadella’s email published on a Microsoft blog in full:
Seeing injustice in the world calls us all to take action, as individuals and as a company. Sometimes this action is personal – what do I do to change? Sometimes it is organisational – what changes do I need to make around me? And sometimes it is reflected into the world – what can we do as a company to accelerate the change we desire? As we see the everyday racism, bias and violence experienced by the Black and African American community, the tragic and horrific murders of so many, the violence in cities across the US, it is time for us to act in all arenas. As I shared in our Employee Town Hall last week, each of us – starting with me and the senior leaders at the company – has a role to play. We cannot episodically wake up when a new tragedy occurs. A systemic problem requires a holistic response.