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Apple and Tim Cook Honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
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What sparked MLK's prominence was the segregation on the buses of Birmingham, AL and the rest of the South. They had signs which read "White Forward Colored Rear" It's been 60 years, and Apple's pretty transparent about their lack of effort in this regard.
Although it wasn't your intent, you actually provided evidence that bolsters what I said about Cook. Notice I bolded "Cook". That was who I was commenting on, not Apple. Apple the company is a different topic and unrelated to the topic of Tim Cook the man. If you'd like to discuss Apple separately, I'll be happy to do so.
Back to that photo. Before Cook, no women or people of color. After Cook, 3 women (2 being women of color). So, like I said, he's been pretty transparent in that regard.
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step." - Lau Tzu
So, you strongly support companies like Hobby Lobby and Chick-Fil-A which also stand by their principles?
They have a right to say and stand for what they want, sure. Do I agree with their politics and beliefs? No, absolutely not, but I also choose not to do business with Chick-Fil-A and Hobby Lobby. The companies I do support fortunately seem to align with my views; if they didn't, I'd think twice before opening my wallet to them.
Besides, history and general social trends seem to be against companies like Hobby Lobby and Chick-Fil-A and their antiquated beliefs. People can continue getting their useless crafts junk from HL or their artery-clogging goodness from Chick-Fil-A and those companies can continue spouting whatever they believe, they will always have an ear. Just not mine
*edit* while I'm at it, let's not equate corporations attempting to stomp out individual's rights (see gay marriage, contraception) in the name of Christianity with a corporation celebrating a civil rights hero, or one that is vocally in favor of marriage rights or immigration. Christ is not everyone's god, and suggesting that a happily married gay couple, a cautious contraception taking woman, or a hard-working immigrant is a violation of one's entitelement to worship in this country which is a shared space is just a false equivalency.
But again, let them have their religious beliefs. As long as civil rights continue to progress despite them, they'll always be the fool in the long game.
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Of COURSE Cook is sincere. The problem is that he needs to focus on restoring Apple's dying luster in making products people want, and not dawdle on virtue signaling.
The problem is your comment relies on the premise that a singular focus by Cook would change Apple's product lineup. There's no logic to back that. Please don't say something silly like "Jobs had a singular focus." He didn't, he couldn't. No individual could, especially not a CEO of a major corporation. Not really sure why you chose my comment since it has nothing to do with the running of the company. It was simply a comment about the social justice aspect of one person.
I think political opinions and business should largely be kept separate. As an investor (of many companies including Apple) I find voicing or acting on social-political opinions can be risky- and to do it you must be very subtle.
Tim Cook hasn't exactly been the most subtle CEO in terms of politics, but even as an independent/moderate/liberterian yet regististered republican I don't disagree with most of his beliefs. Equality for gays, I don't argue with that.
This advertisement however was posted to celebrate Martin Luther King day which I will remind is a national holiday. I don't really see this as necessarily politically motivated, rather an appreciation for the life and impact of MLK that all Americans should. Really no different than posting a flag on their site for the 4th of July.
In short, I see this more as marketing attempting to connect with people than instilling a political message. Just as google modifies their logo for various days throughout the year.
MLK also served as a character to Apple's Think Different campaign, indicating perhaps an actual source of inspiration for the company and its values. Maybe, maybe not, but as someone who grew up with those posters in classrooms I appreciate the throwback.
Tim Cook hasn't exactly been the most subtle CEO in terms of politics, but even as an independent/moderate/liberterian yet regististered republican I don't disagree with most of his beliefs. Equality for gays, I don't argue with that.
This advertisement however was posted to celebrate Martin Luther King day which I will remind is a national holiday. I don't really see this as necessarily politically motivated, rather an appreciation for the life and impact of MLK that all Americans should. Really no different than posting a flag on their site for the 4th of July.
In short, I see this more as marketing attempting to connect with people than instilling a political message. Just as google modifies their logo for various days throughout the year.
MLK also served as a character to Apple's Think Different campaign, indicating perhaps an actual source of inspiration for the company and its values. Maybe, maybe not, but as someone who grew up with those posters in classrooms I appreciate the throwback.
Let me re-frame my earlier statement in this thread.
The fact that some people still think that by supporting the concept of equal rights, Apple is making a political statement, means that Apple needs to make more political statements in support of equal rights, and so does everybody else.
Personally, I have a dream that one day being supportive of equal rights will not seem political at all, and will instead be innocuously uncontroversial. On that day, we may finally be in sight of the Promised Land.
And by all that is holy, that is infinitely more important than perceived delays in updates to the Mac.
The fact that some people still think that by supporting the concept of equal rights, Apple is making a political statement, means that Apple needs to make more political statements in support of equal rights, and so does everybody else.
Personally, I have a dream that one day being supportive of equal rights will not seem political at all, and will instead be innocuously uncontroversial. On that day, we may finally be in sight of the Promised Land.
And by all that is holy, that is infinitely more important than perceived delays in updates to the Mac.
I know of no evidence that MLK was against homosexuality. If he was, he certainly would't have worked so closely with Bayard Rustin who was openly gay. Rustin broadened MLK's concept of non-violent resistance, was the architect of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference and was even MLK's ghostwriter for the first few major articles/op-eds to be published under his name. Had it not been for Rustin, the Montgomery Improvement Association would have been happy with continued segregation and would have petered out without his organization. Both Rustin and King were socialists and fought against social and economic inequity. Hell, it's the very reason that MLK was finally assassinated (after several other failed attempts) with the collusion of US the government via the FBI.
In honour of MLK we are releasing the first refresh of the Mac Pro in 4 years. Is what we wanted to hear.