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Essence Magazine has been called out by some of its readership and supporters for reportedly hiring a white Fashion Director, according to CLUTCH Magazine. Ellianna Placas, formerly of O: The Oprah Magazine and US Weekly is said to be starting at the magazine in September, although Essence hasn't made an official announcement. But just the speculation prompted writer Michaela angela Davis to tweet: "It is with a heavy heavy heart I have learned that Essence magazine has engaged a white fashion director, this hurts, literally, spiritually."
Black Fashion Mag Hires White Fashion Director to Widespread Dismay
Seeded on Wed Jul 28, 2010 8:03 AM EDT
Article Source: The Huffington Post- Enjoy this article? Help vote it up the 'Vine.
- Public Discussion (40)
Well, it should be obvious by now that Blacks need Whites to tell them what to do.
/s
- 1 vote
#1 - Wed Jul 28, 2010 8:05 AM EDTNo, not really. I just don't buy the damn magazine. Besides, for Essence to hire a White beauty director is a slap in the face to Black women.
- 1 vote
For the record, it says fashion, not beauty. Those are not the same things. Beauty is more along the lines of skin care, not the clothes they were. The fashion editor and the beauty editor are two different, seperately paid positions.
IDK about that comment James, BUT I dont see the problem with it. I am of the notion that you hire the best person for the job. PERIOD. They could have hired a man for all I care, as long as he is good at what he does!
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#2 - Wed Jul 28, 2010 10:49 AM EDT
Unfortunately, the loss of culture and identity has been a problem in this country. Blacks aren't in a position to give away cultural authority.
- 5 votes
In my opinion, its not a slap in the face. To be honest, there arent many so called black designers that really do a whole lot of justice for black women anyway.
For Kimore Simmons to be over 6 feet tall, NONE of her pants or skirts really fit a woman that tall properly. For Beyonce to be curvy, her clothes are still made for petite women. I am 5'8, 150 lbs, and I have to buy a size 11-12 in her jeans for them to fit without feeling like I wil have a yeast infection after I take them off.
Roca Wear, Southpole, Ecko Red, I cant wear any pants from those lines because they are always too short.
- 2 votes
#4 - Wed Jul 28, 2010 3:20 PM EDTWould there be the same outrage if a "white" magazine hired a black fashion editor? Why should Essence be entitled to hire the person they feel is BEST qualified and will do the best job for the magazine?
#5 - Wed Jul 28, 2010 11:25 PM EDTBecause there is a problem with the degradation and dispersal of Black culture in this country. This isn't true for Euro culture, which is dominant. If the cultural gatekeepers have no connection to the culture, how can they be expected to maintain it?
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So then you favor segregation of cultures? Or just that of black culture?
So then you favor segregation of cultures?
That question doesn't make sense.
I favor the maintenance of culture. I am against the involuntary dissipation of culture.
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LMAO. But you are saying, in essence, that we should all keep to our own kind. Black companies should only hire blacks in the name of keeping your culture. What about Latino and Asian businesses? Should they only hire other Latino and Asians? And they of course there are White businesses. But if I'm understanding you correctly, whites should not be concerned with keeping their own culture, right?
But you are saying, in essence, that we should all keep to our own kind.
No, not at all.
whites should not be concerned with keeping their own culture, right?
Do Whites have a problem with cultural dissipation?
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#6 - Thu Jul 29, 2010 5:18 PM EDTNo, not at all.
Then what are you saying? That black culture can only be maintained when black businesses hire only blacks? Doesn't that theory then translate across all cultures? That this white fashion editor will somehow destroy black fashion? That she won't showcase black designers? That the most important qualification for the editor's position is blackness?
#7 - Thu Jul 29, 2010 10:50 PM EDTThen what are you saying?
I am saying in this particular case it doesn't seem appropriate. No more than BET being White-owned. Would you think it a good idea to hire Jerry Falwell to run a jewish cultural center?
- 1 vote
#8 - Thu Jul 29, 2010 11:06 PM EDTIt IS appropriate.
One thing black people need to learn is that you cannot fight and correct discrimination with discrimination. The purpose of Essence shouldn't be simply giving black people jobs, but about promoting black fashion and issues. If a white woman can accurately depict the latest trends in African American fashion, then let her! Her color is not going to change the way she does her job: her knowledge base is.
The salty ex-employee is nothing more than a bitter hater who attempts to hide her prejudices in a cloak of "equality". She should be ashamed, and as a black woman I am ashamed of her and anyone who agrees with her.
- 2 votes
I think you are looking at it backwards. It isn't about discrimination. I also think you are ignoring a ingrained issue Blacks have with cultural preservation. And you also didn't answer the Falwell question.
As I stated below, your statement highlights the issue. Already it is about what is being done to this White woman. That isn't the issue. The issue is what can be done to best represent the culture that this magazine purports to cater to. You can't honestly believe that a Christian could run an organization designed to cater to orthodox Jews as well as an orthodox Jew?
- 1 vote
And you also didn't answer the Falwell question.
The issue is what can be done to best represent the culture that this magazine purports to cater to. You can't honestly believe that a Christian could run an organization designed to cater to orthodox Jews as well as an orthodox Jew?
No, because Jerry Falwell has views that are different from Jewish views and it would interfere with doing his job as head of the center. Jerry Falwell is a Christian by choice, and his being so means he is not fully committed to the causes of the Jewish congregation he would be serving and believes something that is fundamentally opposed to Jewish beliefs. Do you regard being white as being fundamentally opposed to being black?
Do you seriously think her being white means she cannot understand fashion for black women? Do you think Rick Rubin's being white means he doesnt understand what young black men want to listen to?
Answer me this: can this woman fulfill her job requirements to pick fashion elements that best represent current and future trends that appeal to black women?
something that is fundamentally opposed to Jewish beliefs. Do you regard being white as being fundamentally opposed to being black?
Some would argue that. Do you think everything is absolute, or that their can be degrees? For example, some Christians would be better suited than others to run a Jewish center? And ultimately, aren't you asserting that it is a simple matter of learning how to perform a job? So what do beliefs actually have to do with it?
Do you seriously think her being white means she cannot understand fashion for black women?
Again, it isn't about being White. That is my point.
can this woman fulfill her job requirements to pick fashion elements that best represent current and future trends that appeal to black women?
To repeat, it isn't about this woman's abilities. This is exactly the problem. Why when discussing Black culture do we end up endlessly discussing Whites? You mention future trends. Where do these 'future trends' come from?
- 2 votes
To answer your question James, Essence magazine indicated that they hired the best person for the job. It is doubtful that Jerry Falwell would be the best synagogue director. However, when building a synagogue there are Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Atheistic, etc people who perform the work. The building contractor and construction workers are selected based on their abilities and experience, not religion. The same thing happened at Essence magazine. I think it's indicative of how American this magazine is that they are looking to hire someone based on experience and ability solely- without regard to race/religion/ethnicity, etc.
- 1 vote
The building contractor and construction workers are selected based on their abilities and experience, not religion.
I could see your point if we were talking about photographers and printers. But a closer analogy would be a synagogue hiring a Christian religious scholar to perform rituals. He may know them better than anyone else available, but is he the best qualified?
- 1 vote
He may know them better than anyone else available, but is he the best qualified?
I guess that would depend on who interviewed for the position. One of the requirements for any religious scholarly position would be to preach the word of G-D as it pertains to the specific religious text they are reading. I believe one of the criteria for Essence magazine fashion director would be experience and ability to create fashion "looks" consistent with African-American culture. Since the appointment of the fashion editor occurred after 6 months of temporary work within the magazine, the hiring committee felt that the person they selected for the job met the criteria the best out of everyone they interviewed. It's as simple as that. If a Christian scholar could do the same, then so be it.
But she isn't running the magazine, she is just one element. So do you think that all BET/Essence/historically Black universities should also be staffed by all blacks? Where is the line. And would it then be ok for certain companies to staff only whites?
How do you reconcile your view with the anti-discrimination policies of this country. If Essence only hired blacks would they not be in violation of EEOC policies?
#9 - Thu Jul 29, 2010 11:14 PM EDTNot only is she NOT running the magazine, she really is just picking out the clothes for the people in the pictures. Thats really it!!!!! She does not decide article content, or even who the person in the picture will be, just what they will wear.
Not only is she NOT running the magazine
It might be less of an issue if she were. Running a business is very rarely a cultural issue. Content for a culturally oriented magazine is.
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Content for a culturally oriented magazine is.
She was hired as a temp fashion manager for months now. Did you notice a decline in the culturally oriented magazine content before this hiring announcement?
Where is the line.
Just like pornography, "I know it when I see it."
And would it then be ok for certain companies to staff only whites?
Many companies have and do.
If Essence only hired blacks would they not be in violation of EEOC policies?
Yes, but again, that's not what I am saying. I am saying this position at this business, in particular.
And you never answered my question about the jewish center.
- 1 vote
#10 - Thu Jul 29, 2010 11:18 PM EDTRE: the jewish center-It would be an odd choice, undoubtedly. But I don't think that is an even comparison. Falwell has said some pretty anti-semitic stuff. Has this fashion editor made racial slurs? Should she really be disqualified by virtue only of her skin color?
Many companies have and do.
and do you think this practice is acceptable? Or do you consider it discriminatory?
I am saying this position at this business, in particular.
Why this position? What exactly disqualifies her? Do you have to be black to understand black fashion?
- 1 vote
#11 - Thu Jul 29, 2010 11:34 PM EDTand do you think this practice is acceptable? Or do you consider it discriminatory?
I don't concern myself with it, unless it affects a specific public interest.
Why this position? What exactly disqualifies her?
Your question illustrates the problem. The issue isn't that a White woman shouldn't be hired. The issue is that a Black woman should. You are looking at it backwards. But that's only natural.
- 1 vote
#12 - Thu Jul 29, 2010 11:40 PM EDTCan't seem to hit the dang reply button on this thread lol.
- 1 vote
The issue is that a Black woman should. You are looking at it backwards. But that's only natural.
Natural b/c I'm white? What is that implying? The issue is that the magazine should choose the BEST candidate for the job, regardless of race.
Natural b/c I'm white? What is that implying?
Not implying anything. People have different experiences. Different cultures have different needs.
The issue is that the magazine should choose the BEST candidate for the job, regardless of race.
I agree. In this case it would seem the best candidate would be a Black woman. Race isn't an issue, since it doesn't exist.
- 1 vote
Not implying anything. People have different experiences. Different cultures have different needs.
My fashion needs have more to do with my height and weight proportions than my skin tone or cultural identity.
Fashion is culture.
What is culture?
Is it not different for black 17 year old vs a 37 year old woman?
And wouldnt a 17 year old white girl have more in common/culture with a 17 year old black girl, vs with a 37 year old women of the same race?
Where I work, I need to look more like Michelle Obama (who is a huge fan of JCrew by the way, a brand that is not black owned...), not Beyonce. As the CULTURE I work in is professional vs entertainment.
What is culture?
In the twentieth century, "culture" emerged as a concept central to anthropology, encompassing all human phenomena that are not purely results of human genetics. Specifically, the term "culture" in American anthropology had two meanings: (1) the evolved human capacity to classify and represent experiences withsymbols, and to act imaginatively and creatively; and (2) the distinct ways that people living in different parts of the world classified and represented their experiences, and acted creatively
a 17 year old
Essence doesn't cater to 17-year-olds.
- 1 vote
Essence doesn't cater to 17-year-olds.
Women of the same age still have more in common regardless of the races involved. It doesnt cater to men either, but you seem to think you know what women want and need in terms of "fashion" and style. Fashion is subjective to trends. Trends are not alway cultural especially with GROWN women as their shapes vary so much its more about what is appropriate for the specfic body type vs skin color.
- 1 vote
regardless of the races involved.
It is culture I am discussing, not race.
you seem to think you know what women want and need in terms of "fashion" and style.
Not at all. I am questioning the lack of an available culturally representative candidate.
Trends are not alway cultural
And there is a good chance they will be even less so with this magazine going forward.
- 2 votes
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