Apple yesterday unveiled a $ 100 million "racial equality and justice" initiative, a decision made as US companies and authorities try to respond to a wave of anti-racism protests.
California-based tech giant Apple wants to remove the "systemic hurdles" that people of color, especially African Americans, face, CEO Tim Cook explained in a video posted on Twitter.
"Whether at Apple or anywhere else in society, the burden of change must not fall on the shoulders of those under-represented," he said. "It is primarily the responsibility of those in positions of power and influence to change the structures for the common good."
After the death of African-American George Floyd by suffocation by a white police officer, two weeks ago, many demonstrations took place in the US and abroad, calling for an end to police violence and "systemic racism" in general.
The mobilization, reflected on social media, is unprecedented for the United States, which has experienced such mass protests by the civil rights movement in the 1960s.
Tim Cook referred to his childhood in the State of Alabama during this period to emphasize the importance of "people of good will put aside their comfort and safety" and to demand that those in power to assume their responsibilities
Lisa Jackson, Apple vice president and head of social responsibility for the group, will lead the initiative. The group's CEO committed to a "holistic approach" that would support education, civil society organizations and black businesses.