Essence magazine has taken a few blows over the past year. In March, Mikki Taylor the beauty and cover director, retired after a 30-year stint; the beauty editor left for People magazine; and the magazine had substantial layoffs last November.
Just when it seemed they’d patched things up, a new controversy burst forth last week. Media industry job site Mediabistro.com printed that Essence had chosen Ellianna Placas, a white woman, to be the new fashion director.
Essence had advertised their search for the position in March, but had yet to make an official announcement of the hiring of Placas.
Still, the blogosphere went wild over the news that Essence, the black woman’s lifestyle “bible” had hired a white woman…all hell-in-heels broke loose.
Michaela Angela Davis, former fashion editor of Essence and former editor-in-chief of Honey magazine, 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 one 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?”
When a black publication hires a white person, is it automatically a slap in the face to the black community?
Who is to say that Placas won’t do a great job and breathe some much-needed freshness to Essence? Placas worked for O: The Oprah Magazine for godsakes–and US Weekly. Reports confirm that Placas will make her official debut with Essence in their 40th anniversary commemorative issue in September.
Comments poured over this topic at BlackVoices and Fashion Bomb Daily:
- “Whoever does the fashion pages, white or black, male or female, a change is well overdue. The fashion in Essence is dated at best, the clothes are frumpy, and the concepts are too often repeated. I’m glad they’ve got some fresh blood in!! I only care whether or not they are good at the job.”
- “Let us not forget that we need all cultures to be successful.”
- “Essence should have made the announcement after her first issue came out, then it would have been about her work not her race.”
- “This is a wack move for Essence. A white woman can’t interpret a black woman’s style, point blank–period.”
- “so what if she is white? props to essence for hiring the best person for the job regardless of colour!!!”
- “I am extremely offended! Offended that this discrimination is acceptable! Race should not be an issue. Are white people allowed to work for that magazine at all? Would a receptionist or janitorial position be acceptable for the “white folk”? Being half black and half white I am sick and tired of people on both sides playing the race card. Granted, Essence is focused on the black culture, but who is to say one is better than the other at delivering simply because of their race? This is infuriating to me because this is one of those commentaries that makes the black culture appear hypocritical! The “I’ll stop discriminating when you stop discriminating” attitude is a piss poor excuse for incredibly immature reactions.
- “As Ms. Davis said, there is a storied relationship between the lack of black women and the fashion industry. This move is like salt on an open wound. “
- “Do we get upset when Tim Wise, who is a White man, speaks on issues representing the struggles of African Americans? No. Why? Because he knows his ish. While he may be an extreme example, I hope you understand my point. Maybe this Elliana(sp) knows her ish. I understand that the industry has grossly neglected having AA’s as fashion editors and I definitely can see how this doesn’t help in having more of a stronger presence, but I also know that sometimes change can be a good thing. In business, some business models have to change WITH the times if it isn’t helping business and it’s bottom line, and as it was stated, it’s a for profit enterprise, owned by a non-Black and diversified company. And let’s get legal….NOT hiring her, because of her race….is discrimination. Especially if she was qualified (and the most qualified) for the position…Fashion should just BE fashion(not Black fashion, if that makes sense) and maybe this new editor can help propel Essence to a place they’ve tried to reach for years.”
- “I must say as a print journalism major I’m a little disappointed. We are so under represented in these fields. So seldom do we see a black woman in a position of power, especially in fashion. It seems as though every time we make something that is supposed to be about us and celebrate us, we have to get our white counterparts involved to validate it.”
Why are people so touched by Placas? Are they concerned that she will feature white designers and no black designers? That she won’t understand a black woman’s fashion concerns and challenges?
Maybe–just maybe–black women are feeling slighted, like we can’t tell our stories—as in the case of Shirley Sherrod—and represent for ourselves, our culture, and in this case, our innate sense of beauty and style.
So Madames, how do you feel about Essence hiring a white fashion director?
