An open letter to the Tableau community

Dear #DataFam,

We are data people. We care about facts. We care about the truth. In the Tableau Ambassador program, we help each other. We support each other. We provide feedback in a kind, constructive way. We may disagree, but we respect each other nonetheless. We help people who are new to our community.

Donald Trump ignores data. He despises the truth. He and his ilk spread lies, promote misinformation, and encourage violent and hateful rhetoric. His Republican party are a vengeful, greedy, misogynistic, racist, xenophobic, and hypocritical bunch who do not embrace the ideals on which the United States was founded.

And yet, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff responded to the election result with unqualified praise of Donald Trump. Logically, it follows that Benioff supports what Trump stands for.

Americans of conscience can no longer say, “This is not who we are.” Unfortunately, this is exactly who we are. My conscience cannot support my continued participation in any Salesforce-sponsored program or activity.

I’d like to say this was a difficult decision, but it was not. I encourage all Tableau Ambassadors and Visionaries to consider what your support of Salesforce represents. You may come to a different decision, and of course I support each of you. But, at the very least, let’s all stop pretending Salesforce is not Tableau.