That question alone is capable of stirring quite a debate. But should it be an issue?
It's only natural for many to wonder about the motives behind such a decision. After all, couldn't Essence have made it their business to hire a qualified African-American fashion director, one who resonates with their core readership?
On the other hand, if someone has proven her ability to excel in the position and has demonstrated a full understanding of what the magazine represents, shouldn't she receive a fair shot regardless of her skin color?
Since news broke out regarding this matter, negative reactions have consumed the Internet. Former Essence fashion editor, Michaela angela Davis, expressed the following on her Twitter page (scroll down to watch Davis speak on CNN):
It is with a heavy heavy heart I have learned that "Essence" magazine has engaged a white fashion director, this hurts, literally, spiritually.
Another media personality, Najwa Moses, reportedly had this to say:
I can think of a few qualified black women, and men too...I mean, how could such a prestigious title who is deeply rooted in its target audience let someone who is not even a part of the African diaspora detonate our image? How can a white woman dictate and decide what style and beauty is for the black woman? [Jezebel]
What if the roles were reversed, though? Would outrage of this nature be acceptable if a "mainstream" magazine decided to hire an African American or Hispanic woman to lead its fashion department?
Editor-in-Chief, Angela Burt-Murray, recently stated her case and explained why she decided to hire Placas:
Clearly, despite how far we like to think we've come as a nation, the hot-button topic of race always has the ability to set people off and illustrate just how far we haven't come. It's something I see quite a bit in my own work...
I also share their concerns and frustrations about the lack of visibility of African-American women throughout the ranks of the fashion industry, which is overwhelmingly white. I, too, want to see more of us on the mastheads of all the magazines, seated in the front rows of the shows, designing our own fashion lines, and contributing our special flavor and flyness to the world of style.
And when I set out to hire a new fashion director I certainly had no idea I would end up making this decision. I first got to know and came to respect Ellianna when she came to work with us nearly six months ago. We were conducting a search for a new director when she was hired to run the department on a freelance basis. I got to see firsthand her creativity, her vision, the positive reader response to her work, and her enthusiasm and respect for the audience and our brand. As such, I thought she'd make an excellent addition to our team. And I still do. This decision in no way diminishes my commitment to black women, our issues, our fights. I am listening and I do take the concerns to heart. [theGrio]
According to Mediabistro, Ellianna Placas will be on board just in time for the magazine's 40th anniversary September issue. Placas has also worked at 0: The Oprah Magazine, Us Weekly and Real Simple among other publications.
While the basis of the arguments against Ellianna Placas as fashion director of Essence may be understandable, perhaps it's best to give her the chance to prove herself first. Why not? She might pleasantly surprise us.
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