Aussie woman in racial furor....

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by news.com.au

White Aussie woman sparks racial fury - by winning job at black magazine

AN AUSTRALIAN woman has made American magazine history - and sparked a storm of protest - by becoming the first white fashion director of iconic black lifestyle publication Essence.

The hiring of Elliana Placas in the role - after a 40-year history of having an African American as fashion director - has been met with a vicious reaction from both readers and industry identities.

Essence, dubbed the ultimate fashion and lifestyle magazine for black women, has been slammed for the decision, with the magazine's former fashion editor, Michaela Angela Davis, launching an attack against Ms Placas' hiring.

"It is with a heavy, heavy, heart I have learned that Essence magazine has engaged a white fashion director," Ms Davis wrote.

"This hurts, literally, spiritually. If there were balance in the industry, if we didn't have a history of being ignored and disrespected, if more mainstream fashion media included people of colour before the ONE magazine dedicated to black women 'diversified', it would feel different."

Source: http://www.news.com.au/world/white-a...-1225900827636

Apparently hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

[Dr. Cheese]

This story broke last week. I don't think it's much of an issue. Who really knows who works at any magazine?

[bassteban]

Yeah- damn, I wanted that job.

[DudeistMonk]

DOUBLE POST SEE BELOW

[sloasdaylight]

Epitome of absurdity.

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by Dr Cheese

This story broke last week. I don't think it's much of an issue. Who really knows who works at any magazine?

I guess the former editor thinks its an issue for the magazine. As for who knows who works at a magazine, I think that we would tend to know who the editors are of bass magazines (Bowlus, Hererra etc) and I guess in the fashion world its the same. Hell, they even wrote a book and made a movie about Anna Wintour from Vogue!

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

I guess the former editor thinks its an issue for the magazine. As for who knows who works at a magazine, I think that we would tend to know who the editors are of bass magazines (Bowlus, Hererra etc) and I guess in the fashion world its the same. Hell, they even wrote a book and made a movie about Anna Wintour from Vogue!

As someone whio reads black oriented media regularly, I can say that this story got some run, but it was not a major issue. My point about magazine staffs is that most of them are more diverse than most readers realize. I know for a fact that many black oriented magazines and newspapers have white staff and editors. Even the local black newspaper in St. Louis has a white editor.

[DudeistMonk]

I think fashion editor at a black magazine would be a job best done by a black woman... I mean come on.

However the culture has built up this idea that we aren't allowed to consider color, ethnicity, anything, at all. If this situation where inverted it would have been a wholly different news story. This is further evidence that the PC mentality, is just a band-aid not a solution. People are different and we keep burring that when we should be embracing it.

Yes a black woman should be the fashion editor of a black women's fashion magazine (it's a case where race actually makes a difference in job performance). but if this is the reaction to a white woman getting the job then we aren't moving forward toward true equality under the current model. I think this is because the model is flawed and in reality we all need to start seeing ourselves as we truly are, celebrating and acknowledging differences and unifying as a common American proletariat, the man (and by the man I mean the wealthiest 2% of Americans) want there to be racial animosity...It keeps people from thinking about how much money he is skimming off the top.

I also think there are also other factors, like the publicity this generates for the magazine.

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

As someone whio reads black oriented media regularly, I can say that this story got some run, but it was not a major issue. My point about magazine staffs is that most of them are more diverse than most readers realize. I know for a fact that many black oriented magazines and newspapers have white staff and editors. Even the local black newspaper in St. Louis has a white editor.

Oh I don't doubt that most magazines be they black, white, asian etc orientated have a diverse staff. I guess the issue here is whether a white woman could be qualified to be the fashion director of a black oriented magazine (I don't see why not - but the former editor seems to think its an issue) and, if she could be so qualified, then why the uproar?

[FL Knifemaker]

I'm cancelling my subscription

[WickedPissah]

I don't think it's an enormous issue but I do think that a fashion editor of a black women's magazine should definitely be a black woman. Would bass players want a classically trained pianist who doesn't also play bass as the editor of Bass Player?

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

Oh I don't doubt that most magazines be they black, white, asian etc orientated have a diverse staff. I guess the issue here is whether a white woman could be qualified to be the fashion director of a black oriented magazine (I don't see why not - but the former editor seems to think its an issue) and, if she could be so qualified, then why the uproar?

Mark, it's the internet; someone is always bitching about something. As I said earlier, I think most readers will not lose sleep over the editorial change. For what it's worth, I think it would be weird to have a Baptist edit a Mormon magazine, or to have a Anglo from Wisconsin edit a Mexican American magazine. I can see why people would be surprised at the choice of a white Australian, but I also suspect that whoever hired her had good reasons to do so. I have read alot of Essence issues over the years, and I doubt if anything will change.

[EricF]

I can't help but think of this with the colors reversed, and what the reaction would be. If this Aussie woman can do the job competently, does it really matter what the color of her skin is?


(For the record, I'm a 40+ white guy from suburban So Calif. My point of view may be way the hell off base.)

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by WickedPissah

I don't think it's an enormous issue but I do think that a fashion editor of a black women's magazine should definitely be a black woman. Would bass players want a classically trained pianist who doesn't also play bass as the editor of Bass Player?

As long as it's not a GEETAR player, it wouldn't matter to me

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by Dr. Cheese

Mark, it's the internet; someone is always bitching about something. As I said earlier, I think most readers will not lose sleep over the editorial change.

Of course, and the internet its a place for discussions. Controversy = discussion. If no one complained life would be boring. What did you think of the editorial changem, was it a wise move?

[Mark Latimour]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

I'm cancelling my subscription

I'll pay to renew it for you.

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by EricF

I can't help but think of this with the colors reversed, and what the reaction would be. If this Aussie woman can do the job competently, does it really matter what the color of her skin is?


(For the record, I'm a 40+ white guy from suburban So Calif. My point of view may be way the hell off base.)

I kind of agree with you. Maybe she brought more to the table that what's revealed in the article.

[FL Knifemaker]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

I'll pay to renew it for you.

Thanks With my daughters schooling we have mountains of fashion, hair and cosmetology magazines around here. I find them facinating!!

[Dr. Cheese]

Originally Posted by Mark Latimour

Of course, and the internet its a place for discussions. Controversy = discussion. If no one complained life would be boring. What did you think of the editorial changem, was it a wise move?

In a down economy, stirring up some controversy might just generate sales for Essence.

[EricF]

Originally Posted by FL Knifemaker

I kind of agree with you. Maybe she brought more to the table that what's revealed in the article.

Right. Justifying her qualifications wouldn't be nearly as controversial.