Handle Your Scandal: Essence Magazine Fires White Fashion Director, Critics Are Saying Its Reverse Racism
Remember all the controversy surrounding Essence Magazine‘s white fashion director, Elliana Placas? People were threatening to boycott the magazine and there was even a silent protest during New York Fashion Week in September 2010.
People thought that as a white woman, she can’t understand the black experience and speak to black womens’ style. And that she was taking the job away from black women who were talented and qualified. The editor-in-chief at the time, Angela Burt-Murray, even had to publish a letter defending Placas‘ hire.
Well, now a year and some change later, Placas has been fired. And folks are saying it’s reverse racism since Placas was obviously talented and her pages were well-received.
I don’t agree. You have to keep in mind there’s a new editor-in-chief, Constance White, who may not feel Placas fits with her plan for the magazine.
And White fired Placas several months after she came on as EIC. If it were about race, wouldn’t she have been fired right away?
Not to mention, other white employees have worked for Essence Magazine like Michael Bullerdick (who transferred to another division after racially insensitive posts from his Facebook page went public).
What do you think, Glamazons? Is this a case of reverse racism? Discuss in the comments!
Kisses,
Glamazon Jessica
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