Mozilla CEO Resigns Amid Outcry of His Past Anit-Gay Sentiment By Jason Galanis
Online, May 4, 2014 (Newswire.com) - It is apparent that freedom of speech and freedom of thought only goes so far when you are a public figure in this day and age. Case in point, Mozilla CEO Brendan Eich, who created the scripting language Javascript and helped found Mozilla in 1998, resigned Thursday amid massive public outcry over his $1000 donation to the anti-gay rights movement to support California Proposition 8. By Jason Galanis
According to Mitchell Baker, the company's executive chairwoman, "Mozilla prides itself on being held to a different standard and, this past week, we didn't live up to it. We know why people are hurt and angry, and they are right: It's because we haven't stayed true to ourselves. Brendan Eich has chosen to step down from his role as CEO. He's made this decision for Mozilla and our community."
While Eich had worked for the company for many years, the increased level of public scrutiny began after he was named Mozilla's new CEO on March 24, 2014. It was soon revealed that he provided financial backing for Prop 8, and a wave of negative public sentiment ensued, including a noteworthy protest from dating site OkCupid.
Whether or not you agree with Eich's beliefs regarding gay marriage, ultimately they are just that, personal beliefs. Unless he used those beliefs to drive discriminatory behavior against his employees or Internet community as a whole, then it is hard to imagine why he could not continue to act as CEO of Mozilla. It is a sad world to live in when people are persecuted for their options.
