https://www.reddit.com/r/u_kn0thing/comments/gx7vqv/what_did_you_do/
created by kn0thing on 05/06/2020 at 16:32 UTC
8369 upvotes, 321 top-level comments (showing 25)
Original here: https://alexisohanian.com/home/2020/6/5/what-did-you-do
I co-founded Reddit 15 years ago to help people find community and a sense of belonging.
It is long overdue to do the right thing. I’m doing this for me, for my family, and for my country.
I’m writing this as a father who needs to be able to answer his black daughter when she asks: “What did you do?”
I have resigned as a member of the reddit board, I have urged them to fill my seat with a black candidate, and I will use future gains on my Reddit stock to serve the black community, chiefly to curb racial hate, and I’m starting with a pledge of $1M to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp.
I believe resignation can actually be an act of leadership from people in power right now. To everyone fighting to fix our broken nation: do not stop.
Comment by alexisappling at 05/06/2020 at 16:41 UTC*
233 upvotes, 5 direct replies
I'm surprised this hasn't had a lot more comments. Am I crazy? This is really great to see. I was literally just thinking how people should stop sticking black squares up on social media if they don't have anything to back it up with.
Edit: Also, thanks Alexis.
Comment by RobinsonDickinson at 05/06/2020 at 16:43 UTC
77 upvotes, 2 direct replies
I believe resignation can actually be an act of leadership from people in power right now. To everyone fighting to fix our broken nation: do not stop.
WELL SAID!
Comment by Dacvak at 05/06/2020 at 18:28 UTC*
52 upvotes, 3 direct replies
This is a truly inspiring move. Damn, I’m speechless. Good on you, Alexis.
I’m so proud to have worked here and have known you. 💙
Comment by dashishmeister at 05/06/2020 at 16:57 UTC
31 upvotes, 10 direct replies
Wait.... you're not gonna be with Reddit anymore?
can we please have an F somewhere
Comment by UnidanX at 05/06/2020 at 17:03 UTC
28 upvotes, 4 direct replies
It's really great to see you contributing and taking action like this, and I hope the best for you and your family!
It was wonderful to hang out with you way back when, and the offer stands for even more beers in the future, of course :)
Comment by ArcherInPosition at 05/06/2020 at 16:53 UTC
53 upvotes, 3 direct replies
The end of kn0thing :0
Comment by madamerobinson at 05/06/2020 at 16:41 UTC
18 upvotes, 1 direct replies
My most sincere admiration. You rock.
Comment by intoxicatedmidnight at 05/06/2020 at 17:24 UTC
12 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Thank you, Alexis. I'm sure this will go a long way. Every action counts. Your daughter will be proud of you in the future, and you'll be an inspiration to many to do the right thing.
Comment by [deleted] at 05/06/2020 at 19:12 UTC
8 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Please, DO NOT STOP!!!
This administration will fight every attempt at change, tooth and nail. It will take at least a YEAR before we see anything worthwhile.
This is a long fight, make no mistake!
Register to vote, and VOTE! State and County elections are just as, and MORE important than Federal, as they control and dictate what police do and can do.
Get out there!
Comment by Ebony_Mortem at 05/06/2020 at 17:28 UTC
8 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Thank you for not only donating money or posting but taking tangible action to create change.
Comment by glanmiregirl at 05/06/2020 at 18:09 UTC
7 upvotes, 1 direct replies
You're fucking awesome man - much respect to you and much love to you and your family
Comment by strumpster at 05/06/2020 at 18:44 UTC
6 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Love you, sorry to see you go.
Please don't forget that there are corners of reddit that have helped people in every way possible, you should be proud of that.
I get it, it's time to go, but don't forget there's plenty to be proud of.
Peace 🧡
Comment by vxx at 05/06/2020 at 17:41 UTC
6 upvotes, 1 direct replies
It's a sad moment, not only because a good member leaves, but also because it implies so much about reddit's future.
Farewell.
Comment by Blue7119 at 05/06/2020 at 16:46 UTC
14 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Bye mate
Comment by TheYellowRose at 05/06/2020 at 20:46 UTC
7 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Are you still gonna lurk /r/blackladies?
Comment by [deleted] at 05/06/2020 at 20:11 UTC
11 upvotes, 2 direct replies
[deleted]
Comment by EntityPrime at 05/06/2020 at 18:07 UTC
4 upvotes, 3 direct replies
wow im really out of the loop, what's happened to lead up to this resignation?
Comment by gogor at 05/06/2020 at 22:05 UTC
5 upvotes, 2 direct replies
I appreciate so many of you being so predictable. He asks that a black person, of which there are MANY qualified, be brought on to fill ONE seat on a board, and you simple motherfuckers squee and pee your panties because that means a white dude might get excluded. Wah.
Comment by bert0ld0 at 05/06/2020 at 22:17 UTC
4 upvotes, 1 direct replies
You still be around here though, right?
Comment by detroitrick at 05/06/2020 at 20:16 UTC*
4 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Thank you Alexis. I'm asking myself the same question -- What did you do? I'm teaching my children about Emmett Till and George Floyd...and the uncounted black men and women brutalized and murdered (i.e., lynched). I will remember and teach my children about the black Americans murdered by police: George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Philando Castile, Walter Scott, Malice Green, Amadou Diallo, Botham Jean, Eric Garner, Freddie Gray. As I write these names, I have vivid recollections of each case. I don't want them to be forgotten; their deaths left massive holes and heartbreak among their loved ones. I'm asking my friends, co-workers, and neighbors to discuss these injustices and what we can do in our families, workplaces, and communities to police the police and ensure that bad apples get fired immediately. I'm actively meeting with my local police chief and will continue to do so, encouraging him to get a civilian review board with teeth. Turning off a bodycam, unnecessarily escalating force, covering nameplate/badge# need to be met with FIRINGS. I work every day in physical security (with many former law enforcement and former military). We are heavily trained in management of aggressive behavior, defusing irate persons, de-escalation techniques. For my team members who are armed (CCW-licensed), our rules of engagement and escalation of force policy is simple and narrow -- a firearm will only be drawn/discharged if fired upon or confronted with clear and present deadly force. We never draw on an individual because "we think" that hammer in the waist band is a gun. Btw, if we make a mistake in application of force (...including touching/grabbing a subject), we lose our job -- no ifs, ands, or buts. No second chance. The police need to refine their disciplinary matrix; some mistakes must result in firing. If all municipal law enforcement officers receive much better training and increase their standards (like state troopers or federal law enforcement agencies), as well as spend a few weeks learning about military rules of engagement and private security rules of engagement (which are both more rigorous and narrow than municipal law enforcement agencies)...we would have much better local police officers who need to stop relying upon going to the gun first for any/all incidents. It's frustrating and profoundly disappointing for me to witness a DC Police Officer using a riot shield to strike a peaceful journalist in the stomach and then punch him in the face -- this cop needs to be fired. It saddened me to see the 2 Buffalo Police Officers push that 75-year-old man who fell on his head (with blood pouring out of his ear) and then not immediately render aid (note: cops have IFAKs -- individual first aid kits; someone should have immediately helped this elderly man). The 6 Atlanta police officers who besieged the passenger car, yelling contradictory orders, breaking windows, and tasing both passengers without giving any reasonable time for the passengers to comply need to be fired. I could go on and on. Police do not get to excuse bad behavior with, "I was tired...I was frustrated...oops, thought he had a gun that turned out to be a hammer." A big part of the job is the awesome responsibility of enforcing the law...with deadly tools and less-lethal tools. Make a serious mistake or poor judgment call, get fired. Make a criminal mistake, go to prison. Sorry for venting. I'm broken-hearted by the past few weeks. I don't buy the excuse from cops that mistakes will happen, therefore, give me a pass. Some mistakes should be career-ending. Minneapolis Officer Chauvin can't claim a 8-minute-and-46-second mistake of murdering a compliant, handcuffed suspect. I will do my part by teaching my children and by helping my local police department to improve recruitment, improve training, and narrow disciplinary tolerance for errors.
Comment by 8YourOrgans at 05/06/2020 at 21:22 UTC
4 upvotes, 0 direct replies
You are an amazing person. That's all I have to say.
Comment by [deleted] at 06/06/2020 at 04:02 UTC
5 upvotes, 0 direct replies
Not giving a chance to anyone else? Just black people? Damn you’re more racist than most people!
Comment by Azteco at 12/06/2020 at 09:45 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
Suggesting choosing a reddit board member based on race instead of competence is a prime example of racism, isn't it?
Comment by ZadocPaet at 05/06/2020 at 18:24 UTC
5 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I believe resignation can actually be an act of leadership from people in power right now.
Yup, if you're actually in power.
Comment by Nillix at 05/06/2020 at 17:37 UTC
3 upvotes, 1 direct replies
I’m impressed and proud of you, making real sacrifice towards change. I hope the board follows.