Blogs are abuzz with the news that African American women's magazine, Essence, recently hired a non-black fashion director.
Essence editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray told Black Voices in a written statement that Ellianna Placas, a former fashion editor at O: Home and Us Weekly, is just part of Essence's growing fashion team.
In an opinion piece that appeared on the Grio, Burt-Murray expressed disappointment that hiring a white editor creates such controversy while the magazine's stories about serious issues in the community go unnoticed.
'When we run pieces on how unemployment is devastating black men? Nada," she wrote. "When we run story after story on how HIV is the leading cause of death for black women age 18-34? Zilch. The things that really are the end of our world apparently aren't."
Nevertheless, Essence's mission is to "inspire black women to lead bold, fulfilling lives," and several readers and former employees, including former fashion editor Michaela Angela Davis, seem to feel that Essence's newest staffing choice goes against that mission.
Michaela revealed on her Facebook wall, "It's with a heavy heart I've learned Essence Magazine has engaged a white Fashion Director. I love Essence and I love fashion. I hate this news and this feeling. It hurts, literally. The fashion industry has historically been so hostile to black people -- especially women. The 1 seat reserved for black women once held by Susan Taylor, Ionia Dunn-Lee, Harriette Cole(+ me) is now-I can't. It's a dark day for me. "
Do you think it's necessary for Essence magazine to have a black fashion director who understands the needs and wants of the black community? Or do you think a non-black fashion director can do just as good of a job speaking to a largely African-American audience. Does race matter when it comes to fashion?
Michelle Obama Covers
Essence: May 2009
Essence editors once again featured their favorite model/icon on the cover of the May '09 issue, but this time, the first lady is posing with the first mother-in-law, Marian Robinson.
Us Weekly: June 2008
Wondering "why Barack loves her?" Us sought to answer that relatively easy question last June.
The New Yorker: July 2008
The magazine's editor claimed satire. However, no one but Obama's G.O.P. detractors found the depiction of Michelle as an armed militant and Barack as a terrorist particularly funny.
Radar: September 2008
Using a doctored photo, Radar splashed an austere image on its cover and asked "What's So Scary About Michelle Obama?" The question was in response to anti-Michelle backlash.
Ladies Home Journal: September 2008
In a joint Q&A with her husband, Michelle told LHJ, "Finding balance has been the struggle of my life and my marriage, in being a woman, being a professional, being a mother."
Ebony: September 2008
Back when she was just a "first lady hopeful", Mrs. Obama spoke to Ebony about family and the future. As an added bonus, her mom Marian Robinson dished to the mag as well.
Essence: September 2008
It seems like most magazine covers with one or more members of the Obama clan on them are deemed "Collector's Editions." This family-centric cover is no exception.
More: October 2008
As the presidential election neared, Michelle Obama started popping up on a wide range of magazine covers. Here she is on the cover of More, a magazine for women over 40.
Us Weekly: November 2008
In the days following Barack's historic election, the weekly tabloid turned political, spotlighting then-President-elect and Michelle's "Amazing Journey."
OK! Weekly: November 2008
The editors at OK! claimed to know what Michelle is really like and offered a look into her private world, including "date nights with Barack."
Comments: (161)
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By: Alie on 7/28/2010 12:35PM
People who do you think the sponers and owners of AOL? The Giro? the Root? answer all white owned and white contributers so sister and brothers please! I am sure they are many many more!
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By: wha-up on 7/28/2010 12:55PM
wow, this is pretty racist, blacks want to work at all white companies, then complain when a white works at an all black company. come on people get along she got hired for her ability, not because the employer had to hire her
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By: LisaH on 7/28/2010 1:00PM
She is not qualified. What does a white woman know anything about a black woman.
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By: SweetiePi on 7/28/2010 6:25PM
She has not engendered a negative reaction because she was deemed inferior, underqualified, stupid, or part beast. If that was the case then you could yell racism. The reason if you read the article again that people object to her hiring is that there is only ONE Black fashion magazine that is supposed to speak to the needs of Black women. The issue is how can a White woman address the needs of Black women? Also, for Black women who want to be fashion editors they probably have an extremely hard time getting hired at one of the many white magazines. The one opportunity they would assume to have a shot at would be this one. This is why there is an issue. Michaela said herself that if there were more magazines for Black women it would not be an issue. Stop being so quick to label Blacks racist to make yourself feel better and look at the issue with a clear mind. It ain't that hard.
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By: Natosha on 7/29/2010 7:55AM
your right, I guess equel opportunity only applies to them and the jobs they want..they being african americans
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By: Jewel on 7/29/2010 10:08AM
It's not about the woman being white and working at a black company. The issue at hand is about the particular position she was given at this company. Get it?!
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By: Eugene on 7/29/2010 11:05AM
What many people are failing to realize is that the internet has altered the landscape of the publishing industry and that many newspapers and magazines are failing to stay afloat.
The game has changed forever and if it takes hiring someone that does not look like you who can bring a fresh new perspective to the table that will help your magazine survive and thrive then what is the problem.
The places where you really want to see "all black" are on the bottom line and on the profit & loss financial statements for your magazine.
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By: sbm on 7/29/2010 4:51PM
Thank you...I was just thinking what if this was a "white " mag that just hired a black and they were going crazy about it...
Black People...We have had people die in our struggle for equality in this system..black white asian indian..all colors...If you want equality then you must give it...if you deserve it then you must give it or be it...dont be so silly. Its still black run...relax...How many of us have had breakthru positions at white run places? And cought flak and harrassment and everything else? Im one...so dont give it to another person. I read some of the comments and it sounds like racism..the same ish we complain about. I bet most of you with the racist comments would have a fit if it were reversed. Just stfu sometimes...Half of you aint even know she was a freelancer there anyway..and wasnt no complaints..wtf
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By: Caregiver 1 on 7/29/2010 6:55PM
It is unfortunate that if a person of color responds to a situation in a fashion that provokes a sense of inappropriateness based along color lines, a person of the majority feels the need to diminish the sentiments as flawed. The presence of a status quo that does not see any fault with the majority of image creation systems being controlled by their peers feels so intrinsically empowered that they can not understand when this kind of event happens. If you want a recent example(s)remember the last presidential election, or when the home run title fell or when the last all white sports team won a championship in other sport other than hockey or swimming? You have come to feel that your views and opinions are the mainstream and that if adjustments need to be made, they should be made to the standard you expected or set. In plain language, the "black fashion" should be given from a person who holds a "black" perspective. A white point of view is available at any of the other magazines. Could you envision a person that was born blind giving a talk on what it was like to be sighted? Could you trust a person that was born a man trying to describe birth pain or menstrual cramps? No matter their training or their empathy they have no basis to deliver the message. This new hire can only give a perspective on fashion, not black fashion because she is ill-equipped to discuss something she has no basis to know. Peace
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By: FineBlkWidow on 7/29/2010 10:11PM
Blacks have never wanted to work at all white companies, we were in slavery, or have you forgotten?? Essence is about us and our essence, our style which whites have been copy cats of us in our music, dance,comic's..every way we turn...there you are...copy cats...you got no beat, no rythm,just dog smelling hair...you even copied our natural hair styles...OMG...YOU HAVE NO LIFT WITHOUT US...LOL..AND ELVIS HAVE LEFT THE BUILDING...ONE OF THE BIGGEST COPY CATS OF THEM ALL...AND YOU CALL HIM KING....LOL
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