This past Friday, the co-founder and president of Google, Sergey Brin, posted on the official Google blog that the company stood in opposition to California's Proposition 8. While I'd argue that this declaration does not have a great deal of direct political implications, it is interesting on a larger scale, in looking at the role that corporations should play in our political system. As a company that employs workers of all creeds, orientations, and political beliefs, should Google take a stance on such a divisive social issue? Brin acknowledges that it is strange that the company is taking an official position, but like many of those against Proposition 8, the company sees the proposition as an attack upon equality.
While it could be fun to debate the ethics of a corporation taking sides on a political social issue, in my view the larger point of Google's declaration is emphasize the importance of this proposition not just within California, but within the entire United States. Everyone is watching California to see what will happen. California will be a barometer for the future of gay rights within the United States. It's really no wonder that such a forward thinking company would try to have a small bit of influence over a proposition of this magnitude.
http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2008/09/our-position-on-californias-no-on-8.html
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Interesting... A nice stand from Google! Probably good for company Morale too. I've heard they have a really diverse work population.
And yes: all eyes are on us! This election determines whether Caifornia is the phalanx of the United States' next great Civil Rights Movement, or just one more roadblock in the path to equality.
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