Reddit’s co-founder wants a black candidate to replace him on the board

Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian has stepped down from his board role and requested that it be filled by a black candidate. Ohanian co-founded the social networking site alongside Steve Huffman in 2005. 

The news comes amid Black Lives Matter protests taking place around the world. The protests were sparked by the killing of George Floyd by Minnesota police officers. They address the concerns of BIPOC regarding systemic injustices, racism and police brutality. 

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Reddit has come under fire quite frequently for the rampant racism, homophobia, trolling and conspiracy that the site allows to exist in a variety of its corners. 

Earlier this week, Huffman published an open letter addressing some concerns saying, “we do not tolerate hate, racism, and violence, and while we have work to do to fight these on our platform, our values are clear.”

Now, Ohanian believes he is setting an example for other leaders by stepping down. 

In a video on his social media and a series of tweets, Ohanian discussed his decision. It was, in part due to his family. Ohanian is married to tennis superstar Serena Williams. Ohanian said as a father, he wants to be able to answer important questions coming from his black daughter about what he did to make things right.

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Ohanian is also donating $1 million to Colin Kaepernick’s Know Your Rights Camp.

You can read his full statement below.

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 saying 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 @kaepernick7’s @yourrightscamp 

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.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CBD1lm4HPdi/

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Many have praised the Reddit founder’s decision and sincerely hope that the board follows through with his request. 

I believe the board will follow through.
The Reddit community is also asking for it and more. Exciting times seeing this level of energy asking for change (including from community itself asking for a hate speech policy). https://t.co/enaIDOFukW

— Alexis Ohanian Sr. ? (@alexisohanian) June 5, 2020

Thank you for stepping down @alexisohanian. I became the biggest user on reddit, and I regret it. I have been repetitively harassed and witchunted on there for simply being as active in aggregating content and moderating communities and the administration did little to nothing https://t.co/bIqpo3V9DL

— Rob Tempo? (@TheGallowBoob) June 5, 2020

contributor and mod of anti racist communities (r/wholesomebpt) at the expense of my own safety, I learned a lot. I have my own story to tell, I have also stepped back from reddit: https://t.co/Xd4LOFJqqG

— Rob Tempo? (@TheGallowBoob) June 5, 2020

I want to thank the husband of #SerenaWilliams (Alexis Ohanian) for an awesome display of leadership today. #reddit

— Leslie Miley (@shaft) June 5, 2020

To show support through donations, connect with grassroots campaigns and obtain resources for allies, please refer to the links below.

Help the family of George Floyd here.
Fight for Breonna Taylor here.
Help the family of Ahmaud Arbery here.
To sign petitions for George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery and more, click here.
Donate to one or more community bail funds for protesters here.
Click here for more resources for protestors, including pro-bono lawyers.
Visit Movement For Black Lives for additional ways you can help the cause.
Click here to connect with leaders building grassroots campaigns.
Here are some anti-racism resources for allies who want to learn more.For other ways to donate, please head here.