Over the years, Chevron has behaved in a way that reinforces the worst stereotypes about large corporations: it has cynically avoided responsibility for its past and watched in indifference as more people become sick and die because of its failure to deal with its legacy environmental issues.

In this quote, Kerry Kennedy, a human rights advocate and daughter of Robert F. Kennedy, criticizes the behavior of Chevron, a multinational energy corporation, regarding its environmental legacy. She accuses the company of reinforcing the worst stereotypes about large corporations, particularly in its cynical avoidance of responsibility for past actions. Kennedy implies that Chevron has not taken sufficient accountability for the environmental damage it has caused, particularly in areas affected by oil spills and pollution, and has done little to address the health impacts on local populations.

Kennedy also points to Chevron's indifference to the suffering of individuals who have become sick or died as a result of the company's failure to adequately address its legacy environmental issues. This statement suggests a lack of corporate ethics and social responsibility, implying that the company has prioritized profits over the health and well-being of affected communities. Kennedy's use of the word "indifference" emphasizes the perceived lack of urgency or care that Chevron has shown in rectifying the harm it has caused.

The origin of this quote is tied to Chevron’s involvement in several high-profile environmental and human rights controversies, particularly in regions like Ecuador, where the company faced legal action for the contamination of large areas of land and water. This issue led to long-running litigation over toxic pollution and the health impact on indigenous and local communities, highlighting the ongoing consequences of corporate negligence.

Kennedy’s statement calls for a reassessment of corporate responsibility, urging companies like Chevron to acknowledge their past environmental harm and take meaningful action to make reparations. Her critique challenges the corporate world to adopt a more accountable and ethical approach to both environmental stewardship and the welfare of communities affected by their activities.