Some See Red As Essence Hires White Fashion Editor

Ms. Burt-Murray: "I hired the best person for the job"

I can't find a picture of ol' girl to verify that she is bona fide white, but this is a growing controversy. From the New York Post: "Essence, a Time Inc.-owned monthly that is seen as the ultimate fashion and lifestyle title for black women, is wrestling with a controversy sparked by a former fashion editor who criticized the magazine's decision to hire a white woman as its new fashion director. Editor-in-Chief Angela Burt-Murray told Media Ink she's aware of the controversy now playing out on Facebook after the magazine named Ellianna Placas, who has worked at O: The Oprah Magazine and US Weekly, as its fashion director but said she's not changing course."

It continues: "Michaela Angela Davis, who was also founding fashion director for Vibe magazine and a onetime editor-in-chief of the printversion [sic] of black fashion magazine Honey, started the cyber controversy yesterday with a Facebook posting that has attracted dozens of comments. 'It's with a heavy heart I've learned that Essence magazine has engaged a white fashion director,' she wrote. 'The fashion industry has historically been so hostile to black people -- especially women. The 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.'"

Ms. Davis: "A white fashion editor? Shameful!"

More about the brouhaha: "The controversy has drawn over 90 comments on Facebook. Some, such as Elicia Johnson, wrote, 'Wow. What a disappointment.' But many of the comments seemed to be in the vein of 'Let's cut a little slack here and see what happens and maybe it will all turn out fine.' 'This is not inherently hurtful in my view at all,' wrote Danya R. Steele. 'Who's to say she won't do a phenomenal job at paying incredible homage to Black female beauty? I wouldn't write this person off based on race alone. I would be curious to hear more about context -- background, past work and upbringing even.'"

The New York Post continues: "Ms. Burt-Murray told Media Ink: 'I understand that this issue has struck an emotional chord with our audience. However, I selected [Placas], who has been contributing to the magazine on a freelance basis for the last six months, because of her creativity, vision, the positive reader response to her work and her enthusiasm and respect for the audience and our brand. We remain committed to celebrating the unique beauty and style of African-American women in Essence magazine and online at Essence.com.'"

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