Feminist blogs have expressed disappointment with Essence Magazine for controversial issues over the last few years. But last week, the blogosphere was fired up when it learned that Essence had hired a White fashion director, Elliana Placas. This revelation was brought to us via Facebook, became viral on Twitter, and crossed over to mainstream media when the former fashion director, Michaela Angela Davis, shared with her Facebook friends this message:
“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. How do you feel?”.jpg)
Michaela Angela Davis was the Essence fashion director with the crazed hair, who dressed as if she had no fashion sense. Her messiness on Facebook got her booked on morning news, afternoon talk shows and radio programs across the country claiming that Essence, a magazine for Black women, should not have hired a White woman to work for them. Not only is Ms. Davis messy but she is delusional. She is on national television telling Black people to practice racism when we are at a moment in our country where race-baiting has become nightly theater. What nonsense!
Before I go any further, let me disclose my relationship with Essence Magazine. I have been featured in Essence. I have also been a conference speaker at Essence’s Women Who Are Shaping the World Leadership Summit. When I was chosen to be featured in the magazine, I was asked to come to New York for the photo shoot. I decided to use a Nashville photographer and makeup artists instead. The photographer was a close friend, Blair Morgan, and Nora, the makeup artist, had worked with Blair for many years. Curse me, both are White. In 2006, Angela Burt-Murray, the editor-in-chief of Essence, and I, along with 38 others, were chosen as the country’s most influential African-Americans under 40 by Network Business Journal Magazine. I spent two days in New York and conversed with Angela several times. She was energetic, full of bright ideas for the magazine, and filled with joy about her role as the new editor. Since that time, our paths have crossed at annual Essence events and at New York fundraisers.
The outrage that has been fanned by the former fashion director is not worth the login time to respond to her on her Facebook page but I will anyway. She has led many astray with her backwards thinking. Black Enterprise, Ebony, and many other national and regional ethnic publications have all hired White folks to work for them. The target markets for those publications maybe race-specific but the writers, the graphic designers, the sales team, the distributors, and many others are not limited to one color. Black publications, especially, should not practice what is done at so many non-color publications around the country: avoid inclusion.
Article comments
1 - Chantelle
LOVE YOUR COMMENTS ON THIS! "..dressed like she had no fashion sense" I've always wondered how in the hell Michaela ever was the fashion editor at Essence or had anything to do with fashion period. Come to think of it I've always wondered why folks listen to her nonsense. She's not even well spoken! Her 'fight the power' sentiments are old and tired and on constant repeat no matter when, where or what she's talking about.
2 - Tamara Wilson
Without a renewed commitment in employment and job creation in the Black communities, high rates of black joblessness will likely persist. Essence Magazine is a failure when it comes to diversity in hiring photographers. It is such a travesty that Essence is an African American publication who hires 90% white photographers. Essence is doing what it always has done even before Time Warner purchased the company. It's also about economics. Your hiring of white photographers, makeup artists, etc. follow in the ranks of Essence. You are part of the existing problem.
3 - Jersey
Would MLK approve of all the current emphasis on color over character?
4 - Ginae
I don't know if I should go back to bed and get up again to read this, but I am certainly confused.
I think that it's a crying shame that "Black Folk" issues are not as important as they clearly area, but, I do think that we should celebrate diversity - wherever we find it.
As long as we keep separating people on a race-basis, then we will keep separating people.
We need to work together. At all costs.
Oprah is a very powerful woman and she doesn't separate people. Perhaps, there is something to be learned from her example?
5 - Genma Holmes
Chantelle,
I have seen her at events and I always choke when she starts to speak. I am usually blinded by her fashion choice so I quit looking at what she actually wore a long time ago!
6 - Genma Holmes
Tamara,
When I hired my photographer is was friend first. Second, he has been along time pest control customer. In my world, I do business with those who do business with me. How Essence pick and chooses it photographers is not what I can address. Now, when YOU want to pay the fee to photograph me, YOU can pick the photographer and his color.
7 - kurt brigliadora
Oh gosh now ,why would she come out with such an inflamitory statement like that? she says she only hires white people,oh comon -you mean to tell me if a non-white does a better job ,or is more qualified; that the white applicant still wins the position? In todays day and age I find that hard to believe. She must have other motives for this kinda comment. Would'nt you agree?
8 - Genma Holmes
Kurt,
Where do I say I "only" hire white people? You are looking for an argument that is not there. This article states that I do not practice racism in the businesses that I own and the newspaper that I contribute too has a diverse staff.
Thanks.