Jeff Bezos, Amazon - Please Stop the

Commercial Exploitation of the Ebola Virus

by Alatenumo Inc
Jeff Bezos, Amazon - Please Stop the
Commercial Exploitation of the Ebola Virus
Ever since the Ebola plague reared its head in some parts of West Africa a few months ago,
the world has been in panic mode. Almost 9,300 people have been infected with nearly 0!
of the victims dying. "he medical resources in the affected countries have been stretched to
the limit with a number of medical professionals getting inflicted with the virus. In recent days,
some isolated cases of the Ebola virus has been reported in the #nited $tates, $pain and
%ermany. %overnments around the world have put measures in place to contain the spread
of the virus, as people around the world remain vigilant and cautious for symptoms of the
disease.
As should be e&pected, in times of great crisis, individuals, corporations and governments
should rally round to overcome the crisis. $o far, this has been the response to the Ebola
crisis. 'owever, despite the good intentions of many, there are a few who are using the
current Ebola pandemic to pursue their own selfish agendas.
$ome are e&ploiting the Ebola crisis due to their pre(udiced mindset. "o recap most of the
confirmed Ebola cases reported so far have been limited to some countries West Africa. In
the West some individuals have used the prevalence of the disease in some parts of West
Africa as a basis to stigmati)e people of African origin. "o these people, Africa is a single
country ravaged with Ebola. *ue to scare mongering, the sight of any blac+ person in the
West vomiting instills fear as people run away for fear of catching Ebola. In the #nited
,ingdom, a child of $ierra -eone heritage was refused admission into school, while in "e&as
two .igerian students were re(ected from gaining admission to a school because they came
from a country that had some confirmed Ebola cases. $ome politicians have used the crisis to
pursue their selfish agenda.
Another category of individuals are those ta+ing advantage of the Ebola crisis for commercial
purposes. "hese individuals who see the crisis as a money ma+ing venture have created a
/mar+et0 in /Ebola themed merchandised0 products. It is because of these commercial
e&ploiters that we have decided to pen this open letter to you.
Ama)on is one of the success stories of America. 1rom its small beginnings, it has
metamorphosed into the largest Internet based company in the #$A. It provides a platform for
buyers and sellers to e&change goods via the Internet. #nfortunately, since the outbrea+ of
the Ebola epidemic, Ama)on has become a platform to trade /Ebola themed merchandise.0
Ama)on to an e&tent has acted as a mar+et ma+er that connects the first category of
individuals earlier described 2the buyers3 with the second category of individuals 2the sellers3.
$ome of the buyers include those who view the whole Ebola epidemic as one big (o+e.
Ama)on has served as a platform to connect willing Ebola themed merchandise sellers with
willing Ebola merchandise buyers at an agreeable fair mar+et price 2sic3. In short, Ama)on
has become a melting pot for bigots, (o+ers and Ebola merchandise traders.
$ome of the /Ebola merchandise0 traded on Ama)on range from
he not so goo!4
Ebola Apocalypse 5esponse "eam "6$hirt 7
8*8 8enter for *enial and 8onfusion Ebola 5esponse "an+ "op 7
Ebola Apocalypse 5esponse "eam 9remium 'oodie $weatshirt 7
Ebola 8an:t ,ill ;y $wag 1unny .ovelty 6 Womens "6$hirt
he Ba!4
E<=-A =bama:s -egacy to America <umper $tic+er 7
>esus $aves Ebola ,ills =bama %olfs <umper $tic+er 7
Ebola *on:t ,ill ;y ?ibe 1unny .ovelty 6 Womens "6$hirt
he "gl#4
$urvived Ebola and All I %ot was this "6$hirt 1unny $leeveless "6$hirt 7
Ebola 1ree 'oodie $weatshirt 7
Africa t shirt Ebola virus disease Africa "6$hirt 7
E<=-A @Everyone <elieves =ur -ying Assholes@ <-A8, " $'I5"
We are conscious of the fact that Ama)on is in the business of ma+ing money, we are also
conscious of the fact that Ama)on provides employment for hundreds of thousands of people
around the world7 we are also conscious of the fact that Ama)on has to ma&imi)e value for its
shareholders, but we are also aware that Ama)on has responsibilities.
;artin -uther ,ing once said, /It is wrong to use immoral means to attain moral ends.0 While
there is nothing wrong in ma&imi)ing shareholders value, there is something morally wrong if
the means to achieve it is immoral. When Ama)on ma+es a financial gain from people who
trade in the misery of others there is something morally wrong in that. Ama)on cannot achieve
the moral end of profit ma&imi)ation from the immoral means of the commerciali)ation of the
Ebola ?irus. In short for what will it profit Ama)on if it ma&imi)es its earnings and loses its
soul.
We therefore appeal to you to withdraw these offensive t6shirts and other Ebola themed
humor merchandise from the Ama)on platform. "housands of people are dying from the
Ebola virus and it is morally wrong for people to use it as an opportunity for financial gain. As
a gesture of goodwill, we suggest that you use your good office to help alleviate those
impacted by the virus.
About A,000 years ago, there was a certain person who lived in 9alestine. 'e had (ust been
welcomed into >erusalem. A few moments later, he went into a "emple and he saw people
buying and selling things that they should not have been dealing in. In response he
overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves and
said, /;y house will be called a house of prayer,: but you are ma+ing it :a den of robbers.@
A,000 years after this incident, we are urging you to drive out the bigots, the (o+ers and those
selling /Ebola themed merchandise0 out of Ama)on and tell them, /Ama)on will be called a
platform for responsible trading but you are ma+ing it a den of insensitivity0.
$elah.
1or and on behalf of Alatenumo Inc
Ahmed =layin+a $ule, 81A
=ctober A0BC
$isclosure of %nterest& he author of this letter is of African origin'
8c
>effrey ;. <lac+burn
>ohn $eely <rown
"om A. Alberg
*iego 9iacentini
"homas >. $)+uta+
9atricia D. $tonesifer