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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: David1 on 7/28/2010 10:50PM
This doesn't surprise me about Essence magazine because it's owned by whites. This magazine under black women control was nothing more than a rag that wasn't worth the paper it's printed on.
I understand the frustration of black women who can't get jobs at mainstream white publications. Now they are losing jobs at so called black ones. Be careful what you wish for...you just might get it! It's called racial diversity. Black people have integrated themselves out of a job.
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By: AMNAU EELE on 7/29/2010 9:33AM
My name is Amnau Eele and i am one of the co-founders of Black Artists Association.
2 years ago a fake story in WWD stated that me and my organization was angry with Mrs. Obama for not wearing clothes designed by black designers.
This story was a lie, but the media including "Essence magazine" and this site "Black Voices" ran with the story as if it was the truth.
just like the Sherrod story no one in the media bothered to verify or fact check the WWD story about me.
Because of that WWD article I received death threats on the streets of NYC, I was called vicious names online and so much more.
All of the black women online and in the media told me to "shut up my big mouth, and how dare I expect the first lady to wear clothes by black designers!!"
"The first lady can wear whatever the hell she wants many of the black women ranted online".
The designer of color B.Michael even responded to the article as if it was true, all of this based on lies fact checked by no one.
You never saw me any where in the media or online like Mrs. Sherrod after the fake WWD story hit,
Why?
Because I and no one at Black Artists Association will ever give any interviews to anyone.
It's a waste of time and it serves no positive purpose for our organization or the artists that we help every day.
If you believe what you read about me or my organization online, then we have a potion to make you look like Beyonce in 2 seconds for 99 cents..
Now... today many black women are angry because white owned Essence magazine want to hire a white woman as the magazine's first white fashion Editor.
Why the anger black women?
If you're going to glue the white woman's hair to your scalp then what's the problem with her editing fashions for you in Essence magazine?
Well... here's what I have to say about the hiring:
" ESSENCE MAGAZINE CAN HIRE WHOMEVER THEY WANT"!! Just as Mrs. Obama can wear whatever she wants.
That's what you told me all over the internet and in the media based on what "you thought I said to WWD",
GOOGLE MY NAME AMNAU EELE, it's all there.
I don't read Essence magazine and I never will, so it doesn't matter to me if their fashion editor is a dead NYC rat.
Thank You,
Black Artists Association
Amnau Eele
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By: Notruthonline on 7/29/2010 9:15PM
Uhmm if you seriously believe those were black women ranting about Mrs Obama not using an black designer and they went to your page and so on and so than I need to sell you the ufo parked in my garage because this is the internet and non blacks of all races come on here pretending to be white or just so they can start shit.
I hope you are not the real Amnau EELE because I would think that person is more intelligent to know that.
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By: marksmant001 on 7/29/2010 6:39AM
Oh, if a black bastard robs the local 7/11, and we protest, we are "Racists".But if a black Mag hires a white editor, and the nigro's want her fired, thats okay. The way you Bonobo's think, you will NEVER achieve true equality.
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By: marks000mandumazz on 7/29/2010 9:24PM
Uhmm Markdumo you make no sense so pls crawl back under the bridge from which you camest.
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By: abbyvlle on 7/29/2010 6:44AM
Has calling a person or group of people a racist, ever paid off for anybody in any way?
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By: guelo8481 on 7/29/2010 7:04AM
Never read it and now never will. I am an american of puerto rican descent, too bad that these racist blacks have to practice racism just to get even.
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By: Marlene Franklin on 7/29/2010 10:45AM
to guelo8481:
What are you doing on this website? Shouldn't your interests be in the conditions facing your hispanic people in this country? Whites have been practicing racism against Hispanics relentlessly ever since that first big May 1st demonstration a few year's back. To whites, all of you are considered wetbacks no matter what latino group you identify yourselves with. It isn't the blacks that hang signs saying "NO HISPANICS ALLOWED ON THIS PROPERTY" OR "WE DON'T RENT TO ILLEGALS/HISPANICS"
You have the audacity to call blacks racists when among hispanics you practice racism against the darker skin latinos. If you have the guts, why don't you call your white conquerors racists? Maybe you're a "gringo hispanic" who identifes with your oppressor.
This is our issue and it doesn't concern you. Go take care of your own people's issues. If you are not here to help us then you're here to hurt us. We have enough enemies to deal with than with an ignorant so-call minor-ity.
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By: Erica on 7/29/2010 6:23PM
Wow! I agree with everything Marlene Franklin said! Very well said and very true. The nerve of you guelo8481!
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By: wannabeguelo1070dumazz on 7/29/2010 9:31PM
Guelodumio wtf are you doing on here than why don't you take your troll azz and visit the stormfront dummies Im sure they'll greet you with open arms now hurry up moron
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