Essence Magazine defends choice of white fashion director

[firedupdem]

New York (CNN) -- The editor of Essence Magazine defended Wednesday her recent hiring of a white fashion director -- a first for the 40-year-old publication that celebrates black women.

The hiring of Elliana Placas first sparked outrage when a former Essence employee posted a note on her Facebook page decrying the decision.

"It's with a heavy heart I've learned Essence Magazine has engaged a white Fashion Director," former Essence staffer Michaela Angela Davis wrote. "I love Essence and I love fashion. I hate this news and this feeling. It hurts, literally."

Essence editor-in-chief Angela Burt-Murray wrote in an opinion piece posted Wednesday on African-American news site theGrio.com that Placas initially joined the magazine six months ago to run the fashion section on a freelance basis before being hired permanently as fashion director.

"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," Burt-Murray said. "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."

http://www.cnn.com/2010/US/07/28/new.york.essence.magazine/index.html?hpt=Sbin

[Brewman_Jax]

1. I feel for the editor

for life just got a lot harder than it already is. :scared:

What's really disturbing are the comments. Nothing has changed. :(