General Motors will observe an 8 minute, 46 second period of silence this Friday, June 19th in support of the black community and the Black Lives Matter movement.
June 19th is known as “Juneteenth” and marks the end of slavery in the United States. The 8 minute, 46-second time frame is equivalent to the amount of time that a Minneapolis police officer knelt on the neck of George Floyd on May 25th before he died. According to The Detroit Free Press, some GM employees will observe the Juneteenth silence at 8:46 a.m., while employees on the night shift will do so at 8:46 p.m.
GM President Mark Reuss informed employees of the company-wide plan to observe a silent period in a memo sent out this week.
“I really believe eight-plus minutes of solid reflection will benefit everyone,” Reuss said in the memo. “I’m sure many of you have felt the same glut of emotions I have while watching recent events unfold … disbelief, anger, shame, grief, and ultimately heartbreak. This is not who we are as humankind, nor as a country.”
Mark Reuss
GM also released a public statement on the matter this week in which it reiterated its goal to become the world’s most inclusive company.
“This Friday, June 19, we’re asking the General Motors team to observe 8 minutes and 46 seconds of silence as a sign of solidarity with the Black community and our support of the struggle against continuing racial injustice. Our aim is to be the world’s most inclusive company and we see this is as a another powerful way to remind everyone of our values and our goals.”
Earlier this month, GM pledged to donate $10 million to “support organizations that promote inclusion and racial justice,” $1 million of which will benefit the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund. GM CEO Mary Barra also established an Inclusion Advisory Board that will look to address inclusion and equality within the company. Barra sent a letter out to employees announcing the new board, as well, which addressed the recent protests in the United States and abroad.
“In this moment, we each must decide what we can do – individually and collectively – to drive change… meaningful, deliberate change,” she wrote in the letter. “As one of the largest global companies, there is much we can do.”
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Comments
In b4 triggered racists
There’s going to be a TON.
Just a fair heads-up to anyone unfortunate enough to stumble across this article, and hasn’t read it yet.
Below there’s some guy who goes by the alias “Tomasso Bianco” who is fully driven by dark emotions, can’t form a cohesive thought, prefers hurling personal insults over having a calm, factual discussion, refuses to entertain even the most minute chance that an opposing opinion to his may actually be even partially factual, and frankly, doesn’t belong on a car enthusiast website.
If you haven’t already allowed your brain cells to be assaulted by his incessant ranting, I’d highly recommend moving on to another article. I could feel my intellect drain from me with every ridiculous sentence he typed. I fell on the sword so that you don’t have to.
Oh yeah, and GM is virtue-signaling just like everyone else. Anyone who thinks they actually care, Bianco or otherwise, is a prime example of blissful ignorance.
Hilarious how not ONCE did anyone deny they were a racist after being called out on it. It’s pretty funny. Anyway, I’m embarrassed to share a forum of any kind with people like you, you’re on the wrong side of history on issues like this. Presenting no facts and making up numbers is something you guys are quite the experts at, only to further push your racist narrative. You should be ashamed of yourselves and your bigoted views.
No one denies it anymore because they’ve become so accustomed to being called it for voicing opinions contrary to the progressive ideology, it’s not worth it anymore. It’s so grossly and baselessly overused that any attempt to push back against it just gives it legitimacy…and rational people don’t legitimize moronic nonsense.
I have a strong feeling that if I challenged you to refute ANY point presented here against you without using the words “racist” or “bigoted,” and instead using only objective facts…you’d never be able to do it. Telling.
I’ll say it…. what happened to Floyd was uncalled for, but focus on running a business. I will not say anything negative about him but he was not a GM employee. What happened needs to be addressed without a doubt, but come on, really?
This is not only about George Floyd, if you think it is you haven’t been paying attention.
You’re right. An agit-pop campaign to amplify the narrative of those that won’t see events objectively. A fraudulent attempt to gain buy-in from media consumers.
And GM’s motivation (with interjecting itself) is… ?
It makes me sad to know that people don’t see the value of companies coming out in favour of the movement. Supporting the movement isn’t going to make anyone run out and buy a GM product, that’s not the point.
i’ve grown cynical. I’m turned off to potentially good ideas that are spoiled by rioting & come across as self-serving, or bad ideas playing into worse hands.
Yes but when you don’t agree with the “movement” GM becomes a target that folks will not support. Better to not take any sides, but that’s not Mary…. Many actors come out and shoot their arrogant mouths off about crap, I may like them as an actor but won’t support the rot they spew…. Why aggravate part of your customer base, just shut up…
When dispicable patronizing panderer MaryB makes a MULTI MILLION dollar donation to ‘My Brothers Keeper’ an organization launched by Obama that ACTUALLY helps young minority men & boys to succeed & thrive in this country, I’ll know she is serious about SOLVING social justice & “equality” problems. #MyBrothersKeeper
I hate how people see corporations as people. I do not care what GM or any other consumer brand has to say on anything. Just make products. I do not care that GM or others are at some corporate run for some BS charity. People are fools too to “rep” their corps dong these things too. One should do life on their own accord not through some entity.
With that said since corporations have to pander. How about they pander to the Commies in china about inequality. Last time I checked the Tibetans are occupied people. I mean since GM sells there shouldn’t they care about that cause? Oh that is right the west is the evil ones got it and the commies are good! Besides they have a backbone.
Finally GM how about y’all clean up your own trash city Detroit. I won’t go into the FBI stats on who is a problem in the city but since GM cares so much about social causes lift up your fellow residents and get them to stop ghosting each other !
Amazing how people are going to crap on this. It’s a good thing, shut your mouths.
You know you’re definitely on the factual and moral right side of an issue when you state your opinion, and then tell everyone to shut their mouths.
A student of Socrates, clearly,
Yes, I am on the factual and morally correct side of this issue. There are only two sides to this issue: I support humans regardless of colour or religion, and….your side, the discriminatory one.
I don’t remember the last time I’ve seen such a blind ideologue on this forum. I’m not sure how you’ve convinced yourself that you know my opinion or “what side I’m on” when I’ve yet to give it or claim a side?
I’d strongly and humbly suggest stopping here, Bianco. You’re making a complete fool out of yourself.
This dispicable instigator troll “Tomasso Bianco” isn’t even from the USA yet wants to tell America how “racist” it is!! HOW DARE YOU!!! In America we don’t spell “color” like you did above, “colour”. We don’t spell “flavor” like you did above, “flavour”. You clearly outed yourself.
I’ve never claimed to be American. I’m Canadian with family in the states. We’re not saints up here in the north but at least we treat people with respect up here.
Hey GM how about a 50 or 100 million minutes of silence for the 50 or 100 million people murdered by the chines communist party over the last 75 years.
100 million? If you’re going to be an ignorant racist, at least spell “Chinese” properly. Nice statistic by the way, did you make that number up yourself or did someone help you?
If that is your only argument looking at ones grammar then you do not have an argument. He is not submitting a research paper so grammar mistakes are okay for an online for fun forum.
Oh and here is a lesson of the day for you! Stating statistics or sources does not make one a racist in any context even if one does not like what is said.
I’ll make this REAL simple for y’all. If you disagree with the BLM movement, or see fault in GM for doing this (Something which in no way can possibly hurt you) you’re a racist. Plain and simple. I know racists really don’t like being called racist, but here we are.
Wow, sure never saw that one coming 🥱
Can we just get back to cars and leave the politics to the political web sites before some sets a fire here.
Hilarious. Here is the fascist left in all it’s glory – the brown shirts have come to life. Disagree with me, and you MUST be a racist. Hilarious. The only thing plain and simple is your IQ – room temperature I would venture.
Typical white ignorant American man. Go shoot something.
“typical white” here is racist for all to see.
I’m white genius.
You still don’t see the logic of your racist statement – the irony lost on you is delicious. You are the poster boy of the left – hollow, empty headed, slogan filled, fact deficient.
Brother I can’t be racist towards my own race that’s not how it works LOL. Oh and by the way, this is NOT a political issue but I know you trump guys like to make it one. It’s a human rights issue.
“Trump guys?” Do you make up everything you post in public?
The unwavering reliance on assumptions is staggering.
Hey Tomasso, Weather you like it or not, other people on here are allowed to express their own opinion. You are the triggered one for arguing with comment after comment. Settle down ehh.
If their own opinion is a racist one, no. Don’t be complacent.
The commie death toll goes back to the days when the Russian czar Nicholas and his family got screwed over. So even before the Chinese commies who are a product of what happened in early 20th century in what is now Russia.
Buy MaryB’s Buicks made in China. She’s makin millions there despite their horrific human rights fail & recent world domination effort in overdrive. The ultimate hypocrite. #BoycottChina
Ill be limited on this, it’s the systemic racism is the issue in America, G/F was the boiling point in the middle of CV19 layoffs and the recession. It’s kinda kicking the can down the road until it’s no more road left.
As for GM, the $10 million anti-racial fund is a nice starting point but small, cheap “Pats on the back” like moments of silence isn’t the way to go also. A better idea is opening a public trade school in Detroit as well as a new factory.
The idea is good – trade schools. However, no such thing as systematic racism. Does not exist. Women only make 10 percent of the prison population must be gender discrimination. Japanese and Asian men are less likely to be in prison, must be Japanese privilege. There is not one law in American books today that discriminates based on race. Keep drinking the kool aid.
Amendment 13. It led to the mass jailing of black people post slavery ending. It states that no one would be subject to involuntary servitude *unless duly convicted*. Since then there was a clear and systematic attack on black America. 12% of your population is black, but 37% of your prison population is black. How interesting!
Bianco – clueless about history and facts. Black males make up 5 percent of the population yet commit over 50 percent of all violent crimes in America. Must be racism.
I doubt that stat is correct, anyway. Does that mean that police SHOULD be killing more unarmed black people for literally no reason whatsoever? Or stop them when they drive a nice car “as a routine stop” I don’t know about you but as a white male I’ve NEVER been stopped ” just because”. You’re a racist, it’s very very simple, you’re presenting what you claim are facts to show that you think that white people are better than black people. Check your privilege bubba.
“no such thing as systematic racism.”, Says who?, you?, Foxed news?. Independent studies over the years contradict what you just said otherwise. BTW part of systemic racism is denying that it exists.
Will they be donating money to the girl at Columbia killed by 3 black teens for $20 dollars? Or how about the 20 blacks a day killed in Chicago? Will you set up programs to tell black people not to lead the country in 1. abortions 2. Children given up for adoption (70 percent black) 3. Single family households 4. Commiting violent crimes 10 fold 5. Leading the nation in high school dropouts. Funny, how BLM wants others to be accountable, but when faced with facts heads in the sands. MLK even in the 50’s stated correctly that black communities must be held accountable for their disproportionate crime. In twenty years nothing will change with this lip service.
Disgusting that you can’t see why things are that way. Institutionalized racism sets them up to fail, sets them up to live in poverty, drop out of school. Watch a documentary instead of spewing this garbage on an automotive forum.
Watch a documentary? Nah I prefer facts, logic, and political context – go back to Netflix for your information.
You’re a clown. Just like your leader.
You know it’s funny the bigots keep bringing up Chicago like its 90% black or something or the bigots is finally give up the resources for the black residents to build themselves up, when it’s always been violent amongst all groups there before the Great Migration, even now white and Hispanic gangs murder each other there but “those dang blacks” keep getting the bag for all the violence.
Here’s a Chicago story, recently a white gangster pushed a black Marine in front of a subway train killing him, is there outrage?.
You know it’s funny the bigots keep bringing up Chicago like its 90% black or something or the bigots is finally give up the resources for the black residents to build themselves up, when it’s always been violent amongst all groups there before the Great Migration, even now white and Hispanic gangs murder each other there but “those dang blacks” keep getting the bag for all the violence.
Here’s a Chicago story, recently a white gangster pushed a black Marine in front of a subway train killing him, is there outrage?.
https://www.goodreads.com/quotes/8869214-the-white-liberal-is-the-worst-enemy-to-america-and
GM needs to remember it’s supposed to be a car manufacturer and not a social change activist group. GM wants to help minorities, sell more cars and employ more American workers. Go woke go broke has never been truer
This is great. It by no means solves our country’s ongoing social inequity. But, it is small and welcomed win. I can only hope it serves to educate the ignorant.
This is a great PR move on the part of GM. However if you really want to affect change how about moving back to the United States 846 jobs that you outsourced to countries like Mexico China Korea Etc and provide opportunities for this you are alleging to recognize.
Furthermore if you do want to do something like this it probably makes a lot more sense not to shout it from the rooftops but just do it.
Why all the hate, cheer up, it’s Pride month.