TWO years ago an anonymous contributor of ours (not white, not male) investigated race and gender issues at the Linux Foundation, which hires nobody black but is perfectly happy to leverage racial grievances at critical times (where there are opportunities to score PR points on the cheap). The matter is scarcely and rarely explored in the media. For instance, on MLK Day (days ago) the Foundation issued this press release, soon to be echoed by a bunch of puff pieces from Foundation affiliates and media partners (such as this one or this one).

"It's not grassroots, but it is looking to exploit high-profile activists and activism, quite frankly in the same way/fashion top sponsors of the Foundation do."Corporate activism or pseudo-activism isn't a new issue and it's not unique to the Foundation; it's not unique to technology either as it's highly pervasive in politics. This video, which was difficult to do (especially without any preparation), brings up more difficult issues that nobody wants to speak about (out of fear of offending people or talking down legitimate gestures). The Foundation extends an olive branch to billionaires, not to communities. It's not grassroots, but it is looking to exploit high-profile activists and activism, quite frankly in the same way/fashion top sponsors of the Foundation do. ⬆