Nick Frank sent a message to Akio Toyoda President and CEO, Toyota Motor Corporation - email address that said:
HOW TOYOTA SAVED THE UNITED STATES FROM A SECOND CIVIL WAR
Hello, Mr. Toyoda, and thank you very much for reading my email. I know youre busy (and perhaps you have someone reading this for you), so I will keep my message as brief and concise as possible.
While Japan (and much of the rest of the world) is dealing with the looming threat of nuclear war, the United States long-standing internal problem of racism is bubbling to a head that hasnt reared itself since the 60s. I live in St. Louis, Missouri, where the infamous police shooting of Mike Brown and the violence that followed amplified the cry America has already heard: black lives dont matter.
In light of a new trial involving a white officer killing a black man and walking free (also in St. Louis), Id like to do what I can for my city. Im a middle-upper class white male with no activist experience or desire to march in streets, holding signs and chanting. But what I can try to do is this: start a new trend in automobile manufacturing that leads to citizens being more protected when pulled over by the police.
Yes, I am talking about car cameras. Not just a front-facing dashcam (as seen on the Corvette C7)--I mean a full-fledged camera system. One facing the driver/drivers window, one facing the passenger/passengers window, one typical dashcam, one INSIDE each side-view mirror facing the rear. Imagine your newest, most expensive Lexus SUV having these features. Even your lowest-end competition has rear cameras and Bluetooth; how long will insignificant bells and whistles satisfy the rich guy who wants his car to be better than everyone elses?
The camera system will not only help protect citizens in altercations with the police, it will be important evidence in the event of a car collision. The technology is already there to alert a driver of lane straying and cars ahead stopping abruptly--let the court see it as well! Hacking is not an issue, as the system will record in onto a protected hard drive in the car.
Like all other car technology, the camera system will become more popular, more accessible, and more standard. Eventually it will be on every car, and in 20 years every poor African American driving an 11-year old Camry will have more protection against unjust police aggression than they do today.
While the headline at the top is an exaggeration, maybe it could hold some truth. If you want more information, please reach out. Again, thank you for your time. I believe this industry move will help not only your company, but the world. And when was the last time we heard about automobiles being good for the world?
Sincerely,
Nick Frank
