4 Promises Apple CEO Tim Cook Just Made On Fighting Racism

America’s top tech companies are speaking out and in some cases opening their wallets to address systemic racism. Apple has also made donations to organizations such as the Equal Justice Initiative, and is matching employee contributions two for one.

Now CEO Tim Cook has spoken in an open letter.

“I have heard from so many that you feel afraid — afraid in your communities, afraid in your daily lives, and, most cruelly of all, afraid in your own skin,” Cook says. “We can have no society worth celebrating unless we can guarantee freedom from fear for every person who gives this country their love, labor, and life.”

In the letter, Cook makes four commitments:

1. Providing technology and resources to “underserved school systems”
2. Fighting climate change, which disproportionately harms black and other people of color
3. Making Apple more inclusive and diverse
4. Donating to organizations that “challenge racial injustice”

As a massive global corporation with almost $200 billion in cash on hand right now, Apple is uniquely situated to accomplish those commitments.

Cook also recognizes that a return to “normal” is itself a sign of privilege … that “normal” for black people and others who have been racially targeted is not okay. When the house burns down, you have a chance to rebuild it better, I said in a recent webinar.

That is the opportunity that is now in front of all of us.

“To create change, we have to reexamine our own views and actions in light of a pain that is deeply felt but too often ignored,” Cook says. “Issues of human dignity will not abide standing on the sidelines. To the Black community — we see you. You matter and your lives matter.”

The full letter is available here.