Jeff Bezos Memo: Amazon CEO Addresses Juneteenth, As Tech Giants And Other Companies Fight Racial Inequality

Online retail giant Amazon is joining several other companies in commemorating June 19, or Juneteenth, in the wake of the Black Lives Matter protests. Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos shared plans for the day with the company’s employees in a memo that was subsequently released to the public.

The memo reads:

“Over the past few weeks, the Steam and I have spent a lot of time listening to customers and employees and thinking about how recent events in our country have laid bare the systemic racism and injustices that oppress Black individuals and communities.”

“This Friday, June 19, is Juneteenth, the oldest-known celebration commemorating the end of slavery in the U.S. I’m cancelling all of my meetings on Friday, and I encourage all of you to do the same if you can. We’re providing a range of online learning opportunities for employees throughout the day.”

“Please take some time to reflect, learn, and support each other. Slavery ended a long time ago, but racism didn’t.”

Racial inequality has become a more prominent issue in recent weeks. Amazon’s decision follows suit with other big tech companies choosing to recognize the date in a show of support for racial justice and the Black Lives Matter movement. Facebook, like Amazon, said it would be encouraging employees to commemorate the date by learning about its historical significance. Google has also ordered employees to cancel any meetings planned for the day.

Twitter, Nike, the NFL, Lyft, and Postmates said they would recognize Juneteenth as a company holiday going forward.

Juneteenth has become a focal point in the wake of George Floyd’s death for its historical significance for the African American community and the U.S. as a whole. On June 19, 1865, Union General Gordon Granger read the Emancipation Proclamation, freeing African Americans and effectively ending slavery in the U.S.

President Trump also cited the day as his reason for holding an upcoming campaign rally in Tulsa, Oklahoma, originally planned for June 19. It was met with swift backlash as Black Lives Matter supporters said it evoked memories of the Tulsa race massacre from June 1921 when a white mob began assaulting black residents within the city.

The riots left over 800 people injured and 39 people dead, most of whom were black. However, it is believed the actual number of casualties is significantly higher than what was reported in 1921.

Trump's rally was ultimately moved to June 20.