theroot--2020-06-10--'We Have Made Mistakes Too': Anna Wintour Apologizes for Vogue's Treatment of Black Talent

Vogue magazine has long been at the forefront of the fashion industry , forecasting trends that the rest of the world follows .
But now , the magazine is in the rare position of working to get ahead of a cultural moment in which the fashion industry—and its publications—are being indicted for their treatment of the black talent in its ranks .
Wintour , editor-in-chief of American Vogue since 1988 after being in the same at British Vogue from 1985 to 1987 , also became artistic director for parent company Condé Nast in 2013 .
In that time , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its elevation of black talents , which have included not only former American Vogue editor-at-large André Leon Talley , Wintour ’ s one-time righthand man who recently accused her of callously discarding him in his new memoir The Chiffon Trenches , but also Elaine Welteroth , who became editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue in 2016 ( only the second African American to hold that title in Condé Nast 107-year history ) ; Edward Enninful , editor-in-chief of British Vogue since late 2017 ; Vanessa Kingori , Publishing Director of British Vogue since January 2018 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ GQ ; and Lindsay Peoples Wagner , who took over the helm at Teen Vogue in late 2018 .
But a staff memo from Wintour sent out last Thursday and since obtained by Pag e Six tells another story .
In the emotional missive , the longtime figurehead of the franchise—who lobbied for Joe Biden to pick a woman of color as his running mate in her May 31 editor ’ s letter—admits that the magazine has been “ hurtful and intolerant ” to its black community , in particular .
“ I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and expressing my empathy towards what so many of you are going through : sadness , hurt , and anger too , ” wrote Wintour .
“ I want to say this especially to the Black members of our team—I can only imagine what these days have been like .
But I also know that the hurt , and violence , and injustice we ’ re seeing and talking about have been around for a long time .
Recognizing it and doing something about it is overdue .
Wintour ’ s words were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ historian and former Vogue media planner Shelby Ivey Christie on Tuesday , who described her time at the magazine as “ the most challenging [ and ] miserable time of her career.
” Among the “ thankless work ” she describes were expectations that she work around the clock , including Saturdays and Sundays spent in the office and at least one case of being scapegoated for the error of a superior .
Christie also describes a racially offensive incident which was reported by black staffers but received an inadequate response from human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the severances of many departing staff may have been conditional upon signing NDAs , effectively muting them on speaking out on these and other pervasive issues at Vogue and other Condé Nast imprints .
Several of her claims were corroborated in online responses from other black women .
“ I want to say plainly that I know Vogue has not found enough ways to elevate and give space to Black editors , writers , photographers , designers and other creators , ” Wintour ’ s note to staff continued .
“ We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stories that have been hurtful or intolerant .
I take full responsibility for those mistakes .
“ It can ’ t be easy to be a Black employee at Vogue , and there are too few of you .
I know that it is not enough to say we will do better , but we will — and please know that I value your voices and responses as we move forward .
I am listening and would like to hear your feedback and your advice if you would like to share either.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ too few black employees at her imprint—and far too few black talents featured on the highly influential platform she ’ s managed for over 30 years , surely she knew that before last Thursday ; in fact , well before George Floyd lost his life at the hands of Minneapolis police officers .
In fact , if the fashion industry is “ one of the greatest racial oppressors in the world , ” as alleged by Business of Fashion writers Jason Campbell and Henrietta Gallina , then surely with her unparalleled influence , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ only by her willful obliviousness .
Now , however , she has been galvanized—or perhaps , shamed—into action .
“ I am proud of the content we have published on our site over these past few days but I also know that there is much more work to do , ” she says .
“ Please don ’ t hesitate to be in touch with me directly .
I am arranging ways we can discuss these issues together candidly , but in the meantime , I welcome your thoughts or reactions.
” To @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Nast extend well beyond Vogue .
In fact , on Monday , Adam Rapoport , editor-in-chief of Bon Appétit , resigned amid revelations of old photos of him wearing brownface as part of a costume , as reported by the New York Post , which also notes the incident as “ compounding a race-based controversy over pay equity in Condé Nast ’ s video division.
” Following Rapoport ’ s resignation , former Condé Nast editor Elizabeth Thompson tweeted that the publisher held a “ company-wide Town Hall ” on Tuesday , in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ internal ‘ studies ’ about diversity and pay equity ” and to “ take action ‘ by the end of summer.
’ ” Understandably , the declaration gave many the impression that these issues may not be as urgent as the higher-ups ’ summer holiday plans .
More tellingly , CEO Roger Lynch seemed to equally place blame on the purported victims during the meeting , saying that “ I think if people had used the internal channels and raised concerns about this earlier on , we would ’ ve been able to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ referencing the issues at Bon Appétit , Elaine Welteroth was among those who called bullshit on his rhetoric , after apparently also calling out several of Condé ’ s shortcomings in her bestselling 2019 memoir , More Than Enough .
Are these issues that can be solved with a “ study ” ?
Or does there need to be a massive overhaul in Condé Nast ’ s policies , initiatives and culture that starts from the top down ?
It remains to be seen if any more resignations will be required , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she ’ s also making her best effort at damage control , writing : “ This is a historic and heartbreaking moment for our country and it should be a time of listening , reflection , and humility for those of us in positions of privilege and authority .
It should also be a time of action and commitments .
On a corporate level , work is being done to support organizations in a real way .
These actions will be announced as soon as possible .
”

Vogue magazine has long been at the forefront of the fashion industry, forecasting trends that the rest of the world follows. But now, the magazine is in the rare position of working to get ahead of a cultural moment in which the fashion industry—and its publications—are being indicted for their treatment of the black talent in its ranks.
Wintour, editor-in-chief of American Vogue since 1988 after being in the same at British Vogue from 1985 to 1987, also became artistic director for parent company Condé Nast in 2013. In that time, the Vogue franchise has been perceived as progressive its elevation of black talents, which have included not only former American Vogue editor-at-large André Leon Talley, Wintour’s one-time righthand man who recently accused her of callously discarding him in his new memoir The Chiffon Trenches, but also Elaine Welteroth, who became editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue in 2016 (only the second African American to hold that title in Condé Nast 107-year history); Edward Enninful, editor-in-chief of British Vogue since late 2017; Vanessa Kingori, Publishing Director of British Vogue since January 2018, preceded by the same role at GQ; and Lindsay Peoples Wagner, who took over the helm at Teen Vogue in late 2018.
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But a staff memo from Wintour sent out last Thursday and since obtained by Pag e Six tells another story. In the emotional missive, the longtime figurehead of the franchise—who lobbied for Joe Biden to pick a woman of color as his running mate in her May 31 editor’s letter—admits that the magazine has been “hurtful and intolerant” to its black community, in particular.
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“I want to start by acknowledging your feelings and expressing my empathy towards what so many of you are going through: sadness, hurt, and anger too,” wrote Wintour. “I want to say this especially to the Black members of our team—I can only imagine what these days have been like. But I also know that the hurt, and violence, and injustice we’re seeing and talking about have been around for a long time. Recognizing it and doing something about it is overdue.
Wintour’s words were confirmed in a Twitter thread by fashion historian and former Vogue media planner Shelby Ivey Christie on Tuesday, who described her time at the magazine as “the most challenging [and] miserable time of her career.” Among the “thankless work” she describes were expectations that she work around the clock, including Saturdays and Sundays spent in the office and at least one case of being scapegoated for the error of a superior. Christie also describes a racially offensive incident which was reported by black staffers but received an inadequate response from human resources at the company and implies that the severances of many departing staff may have been conditional upon signing NDAs, effectively muting them on speaking out on these and other pervasive issues at Vogue and other Condé Nast imprints. Several of her claims were corroborated in online responses from other black women.
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“I want to say plainly that I know Vogue has not found enough ways to elevate and give space to Black editors, writers, photographers, designers and other creators,” Wintour’s note to staff continued. “We have made mistakes too, publishing images or stories that have been hurtful or intolerant. I take full responsibility for those mistakes.
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“It can’t be easy to be a Black employee at Vogue, and there are too few of you. I know that it is not enough to say we will do better, but we will — and please know that I value your voices and responses as we move forward. I am listening and would like to hear your feedback and your advice if you would like to share either.”
If Wintour can acknowledge that there are too few black employees at her imprint—and far too few black talents featured on the highly influential platform she’s managed for over 30 years, surely she knew that before last Thursday; in fact, well before George Floyd lost his life at the hands of Minneapolis police officers. In fact, if the fashion industry is “one of the greatest racial oppressors in the world,” as alleged by Business of Fashion writers Jason Campbell and Henrietta Gallina, then surely with her unparalleled influence, Wintour is a perpetrator, even if only by her willful obliviousness. Now, however, she has been galvanized—or perhaps, shamed—into action.
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“I am proud of the content we have published on our site over these past few days but I also know that there is much more work to do,” she says. “Please don’t hesitate to be in touch with me directly. I am arranging ways we can discuss these issues together candidly, but in the meantime, I welcome your thoughts or reactions.”
To be fair, the problems at Condé Nast extend well beyond Vogue. In fact, on Monday, Adam Rapoport, editor-in-chief of Bon Appétit, resigned amid revelations of old photos of him wearing brownface as part of a costume, as reported by the New York Post, which also notes the incident as “compounding a race-based controversy over pay equity in Condé Nast’s video division.” Following Rapoport’s resignation, former Condé Nast editor Elizabeth Thompson tweeted that the publisher held a “company-wide Town Hall” on Tuesday, in which they announced plans to “conduct internal ‘studies’ about diversity and pay equity” and to “take action ‘by the end of summer.’” Understandably, the declaration gave many the impression that these issues may not be as urgent as the higher-ups’ summer holiday plans.
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More tellingly, CEO Roger Lynch seemed to equally place blame on the purported victims during the meeting, saying that “I think if people had used the internal channels and raised concerns about this earlier on, we would’ve been able to address them.” While Lynch was reportedly referencing the issues at Bon Appétit, Elaine Welteroth was among those who called bullshit on his rhetoric, after apparently also calling out several of Condé’s shortcomings in her bestselling 2019 memoir, More Than Enough.
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Are these issues that can be solved with a “study”? Or does there need to be a massive overhaul in Condé Nast’s policies, initiatives and culture that starts from the top down? It remains to be seen if any more resignations will be required, but if Wintour’s accepting responsibility, she’s also making her best effort at damage control, writing: “This is a historic and heartbreaking moment for our country and it should be a time of listening, reflection, and humility for those of us in positions of privilege and authority. It should also be a time of action and commitments. On a corporate level, work is being done to support organizations in a real way. These actions will be announced as soon as possible.”


theroot--2020-06-10--Save 25% On The Foreo Luna 2 And Get Clean Skin While You're At It

Skincare junkies , rejoice because the Foreo Luna 2 is 25 % off , which is about $ 40 off @ @ @ @ @ It is currently $ 127 and can clean and exfoliate your skin without irritation .
@ @ @ @ @ and can prevent razor burn for men who want to use it .
The best @ @ @ @ @ takes two minutes , TWO !
To clean your face with your choice of face @ @ @ @ @ it ’ s gone !

Ignacia on Kinja Deals, shared by Ignacia to The Root

Foreo Luna 2 | $127 | Amazon
Skincare junkies, rejoice because the Foreo Luna 2 is 25% off, which is about $40 off the original list price. It is currently $127 and can clean and exfoliate your skin without irritation. It takes off dead skin and can prevent razor burn for men who want to use it. The best part?! It only takes two minutes, TWO! To clean your face with your choice of face cleanser. Grab this before it’s gone!


theroot--2020-06-10--Joe Biden Just Wrote That He Wants to Give Police More Money, and He Totally Needs to STFU

I don ’ t know how many times I need to say this , but Joe Biden needs to only be rolled out to the American public three times : Once to say that he ’ s picked a black woman to be his vice president , another time so he can say “ Black Lives Matter ” and the last time to say “ Thank you to all the people who helped elect me president.
” Then , we don ’ t need to hear from Joe Biden any more this year .
Not any more .
He doesn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , he doesn ’ t need to say what he ’ s working on .
He definitely doesn ’ t need to talk to anyone black on a public television network .
At this point , I ’ m fine if Biden stays in a hyperbaric chamber and only comes out around 3:00 pm every night for dinner .
Because the more the former vice president talks—or writes , in this case—the more he keeps fucking this up !
Joe Robinette Biden ( that ’ s his real middle name ; I already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ name alone to resonate with the black community ) fixed his old-ass fingers to type out an op-ed for USA Today in which he didn ’ t hear the cries of the protesters ( who are likely votes for his ass ) to defund the police .
Nope , Robinette marched his old white ass out here and said “ I ’ m going to spend more money on the police !
” Jesus Christ , Joe Biden will you please just STFU !
Chances are that you ’ re not going to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to punch yourself in the face or feel worse about eating too much ice cream , then you can read it here .
For those of you who aren ’ t willing to read it , let me give you the Cliff notes : • Biden claims we are in a battle for the soul of this nation .
• This part I liked : “ We need to root out systemic racism across our laws and institutions , and we need to make sure black Americans have a real shot to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black folks have been living with a knee on their necks for too long ( OK , Joe .
We see you . )
And then Joe drove the truck right off the fucking cliff when stated this bullshit : I do not support defunding police .
The better answer is to give police departments the resources they need to implement meaningful reforms , and to condition other federal dollars on completing those reforms .
I ’ ve long been a firm believer in the power of community policing—getting cops out of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the communities they are there to serve and protect .
That ’ s why I ’ m proposing an additional $ 300 million to reinvigorate community policing in our country .
Every single police department should have the money they need to institute real reforms like adopting a national use of force standard , buying body cameras , and recruiting more diverse police officers .
Why doesn ’ t someone in his ranks tell him this is not the way ?
You can ’ t speak out of both sides of your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t say that you understand the heart of the Movement for Black Lives and the mistreatment of African Americans and completely ignore their call to defund the police departments that have a systemic problem of over-policing black and brown communities .
And then , in the same breath , say that you not only aren ’ t for defunding the police but you ’ re actually for increasing their budget !
It makes no sense , but what makes even less sense is why you keep talking .
I ’ ve already instructed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this : Choose a black woman for vice president and let her bring it home .
Even with Russia ’ s help , Trump would lose to a wet sock .
Trump just can ’ t stop shooting his own self in the foot , and all Biden has to do is STFU and he wins—and he can ’ t even do that .
Something tells me that in all of this is a bigger story about privilege–both male and white–a larger story of the ego and the efforts with which the ego @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ego has the best intentions .
But right now , I just want Joe to STFU—please , I ’ m begging you .
But something tells me he ’ s not listening because he ’ s busy handing someone his beer so he can walk to the mic .

I don’t know how many times I need to say this, but Joe Biden needs to only be rolled out to the American public three times: Once to say that he’s picked a black woman to be his vice president, another time so he can say “Black Lives Matter” and the last time to say “Thank you to all the people who helped elect me president.”
That’s it.
Then, we don’t need to hear from Joe Biden any more this year. Not any more. He doesn’t need to announce his plans, he doesn’t need to say what he’s working on. He definitely doesn’t need to talk to anyone black on a public television network. At this point, I’m fine if Biden stays in a hyperbaric chamber and only comes out around 3:00 pm every night for dinner.
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Because the more the former vice president talks—or writes, in this case—the more he keeps fucking this up!
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Joe Robinette Biden (that’s his real middle name; I already wrote about the ability of his middle name alone to resonate with the black community) fixed his old-ass fingers to type out an op-ed for USA Today in which he didn’t hear the cries of the protesters (who are likely votes for his ass) to defund the police. Nope, Robinette marched his old white ass out here and said “I’m going to spend more money on the police!”
Jesus Christ, Joe Biden will you please just STFU!
Chances are that you’re not going to read his op-ed, but if you want to punch yourself in the face or feel worse about eating too much ice cream, then you can read it here. For those of you who aren’t willing to read it, let me give you the Cliff notes:
Biden claims we are in a battle for the soul of this nation.
Donald Trump is a spewer of hate.
This part I liked: “We need to root out systemic racism across our laws and institutions, and we need to make sure black Americans have a real shot to get ahead.”
He noted that black folks have been living with a knee on their necks for too long (OK, Joe. We see you.)
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And then Joe drove the truck right off the fucking cliff when stated this bullshit:
I do not support defunding police. The better answer is to give police departments the resources they need to implement meaningful reforms, and to condition other federal dollars on completing those reforms. I’ve long been a firm believer in the power of community policing—getting cops out of their cruisers and building relationships with the people and the communities they are there to serve and protect. That’s why I’m proposing an additional $300 million to reinvigorate community policing in our country. Every single police department should have the money they need to institute real reforms like adopting a national use of force standard, buying body cameras, and recruiting more diverse police officers.
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Why, Joe? Why?
Why doesn’t someone in his ranks tell him this is not the way? You can’t speak out of both sides of your neck, Joe. You can’t say that you understand the heart of the Movement for Black Lives and the mistreatment of African Americans and completely ignore their call to defund the police departments that have a systemic problem of over-policing black and brown communities. And then, in the same breath, say that you not only aren’t for defunding the police but you’re actually for increasing their budget! It makes no sense, but what makes even less sense is why you keep talking. I’ve already instructed the Biden campaign on how to handle this: Choose a black woman for vice president and let her bring it home.
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Even with Russia’s help, Trump would lose to a wet sock. Trump just can’t stop shooting his own self in the foot, and all Biden has to do is STFU and he wins—and he can’t even do that. Something tells me that in all of this is a bigger story about privilege–both male and white–a larger story of the ego and the efforts with which the ego can undo the self, even when the ego has the best intentions. But right now, I just want Joe to STFU—please, I’m begging you. But something tells me he’s not listening because he’s busy handing someone his beer so he can walk to the mic.


theroot--2020-06-10--The Breakfast Club Is Food Poisoning

The Breakfast Club Is Food Poisoning

*DJ Envy voice* Morning everybody , it ’ s three obtusely insensitive radio personalities providing a platform to an alleged rapist while further erasing and silencing the black women survivors on one of the largest black-led media platforms in the nation .
Trigger Warning : This article contains details from an interview with a man who has been multiply accused of sexual assault .
It was late Tuesday night and I was scrolling my timeline when I saw the following tweet , promoting the next episode of The Breakfast Club , set to air on Wednesday morning : Show co-hosts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Angela Yee sat with Russell Simmons to discuss his new life in Bali , veganism , police reform and the late Andre Harrell .
But , of course , we all know why he was there : to discuss the sexual assault allegations against him in HBO Max ’ s documentary , On The Record , which follows survivors Drew Dixon , Sil Lai Abrams and Sheri Sher .
What followed was a triggering hour of gaslighting , evasion , belittling , martyrdom , faux allyship and more .
Charlamagne has readily admitted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Limbaugh was a “ waste of time , ” in an interview with Stephen Colbert .
So , to then further waste everyone else ’ s time going from one Rush to another— “ Uncle Rush ” —with a heaping side of triggers was alarming , to say the very least .
Further , if you ’ re going to host an alleged rapist for the sake of having an honest conversation , the very basics include holding the interviewee accountable to answer tough yet necessary questions and providing the same opportunity for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the obvious—Simmons ’ current location in Bali .
But , when Simmons explained the reasons behind his move ( apparently he has a talent agency in Asia and he is building a yoga studio for teachers ) , neither of the co-hosts pressed him about the suspicious timing , aside from one question ( to which Simmons denied there were any civil or criminal charges against him ) .
They simply allowed him to allude to having to “ get away from the media , ” and let it be .
Abrams has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reach out to her , the other survivors or any documentary representatives to appear on the show .
Yet , I have to ask : w ould they have even felt safe enough to appear on the show , anyway ?
Would the co-hosts create an environment that was welcoming to these black women in the same way they soothingly prepared Simmons for the inevitable question about the documentary ?
Regardless , these women should ’ ve been given the power and choice to make whatever decisions they felt they could .
Though @ @ @ @ @ @ @ following the influx of coverage surrounding his allegations , I ’ d argue that the survivors have been outright muzzled .
Simmons has been dubbed the “ godfather of hip-hop , ” and was the epitome of a gatekeeper .
The idea that he has been muted when not only was he a voice , but the voice , is asinine , at best .
Someone finally listening to women whose entire careers and livelihoods have been destroyed for the sake of silence does not equate to him being “ muted , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Up Foundation wrote a reporting guide refuting several of Simmons ’ quotes in the interview , including his assertion that only “ six or seven ” women have come forward with allegations against him ( it ’ s at least 15 at this time ) , his dismissive statements noting that the stories are “ 25 to 40 years old ” ( when it often takes time for survivors to come forward for a variety of systemic- and institutionalized-based reasons ) and the ridiculous idea of “ toxic femininity.
” “ Black survivors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and systemic barriers to being heard , supported , and believed , ” Time ’ s Up wrote .
“ Immediately before an emotional conversation about police brutality against black women on The Breakfast Club this morning , Russell Simmons peddled numerous myths about sexual assault , stereotypes about black women , and distortions of facts in denying the multiple sexual assault allegations against him.
” Further , journalist and bestselling author Elaine Welteroth spoke up , directly calling out The Breakfast Club for further suppressing the conversation around the need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ responsibility as a leading black media outlet .
During this pivotal moment for Black liberation , Black women and survivors should not be discounted @ breakfastclubamm ” Welteroth tweeted .
“ We need OUR media to give voice to the Black women who are the most DISRESPECTED , UNPROTECTED , and NEGLECTED people in America.
” I ’ d be remiss not to mention Charlamagne ’ s own history with rape allegations , particularly a 2001 rape investigation ( which has been dropped , though that does not , by default , prove @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Additionally , he has joked about the “ Spanish Fly ” incident and recalled eagerly watching the R. Kelly child pornography tape .
The rape investigation , specifically , raised concerns to the point that there was a petition to get him fired from the show .
That was two years ago—and here we are today .
Who ’ s really “ muted ” here ?
In a recent interview with The Root , Abrams reflected on the aftermath of coming forward , a decision that was many years in the making .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ from people with ulterior motives , but the absolute silence from the people that you thought were your acquaintances and friends .
[ There is an ] abandonment that occurs , ” Abrams said .
These black women have been abandoned .
Black Lives Matter doesn ’ t ( nor shouldn ’ t ) come with an asterisk .
It does not come with a scheduled agenda that prioritizes cis-hetero black men above black women and/or members of the LGBTQ community .
The Breakfast Club has been popular for its accessibility , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women ?
Like many people in the black community , I ’ ve tuned into The Breakfast Club , lured by certain guest appearances—in several cases , it was the only black-led platform those guests appeared on ( which makes it difficult not to report on it , given my job ) .
Still , despite their fair share of major mishaps ( the horrifyingly transphobic aura of their Janet Mock interview was a major tipping point for me ) , there seem to have been far more pressure to protect this large @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protection of black men within the hip-hop community ( as explained in On The Record ) .
But , I ’ m tired .
We ’ re tired .
Enough is enough .
I ’ m tired of black women being roadkill , even in the name of black pride .
I ’ m tired of black pride meaning the protection of cis-hetero black men at the expense of those who do not identify as such .
I ’ m tired of living under the burden of a brolic rape culture .
I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that are supposed to represent me constantly shitting on those who most closely represent me .
I ’ m tired of yelling my frustrations and critiques into a void .
I ’ m tired .
I guess I could say that I ’ ve ... lost my appetite for breakfast .

Tonja Renée Stidhum on The Grapevine, shared by Tonja Renée Stidhum to The Root

*DJ Envy voice* Morning everybody, it’s three obtusely insensitive radio personalities providing a platform to an alleged rapist while further erasing and silencing the black women survivors on one of the largest black-led media platforms in the nation.
Trigger Warning: This article contains details from an interview with a man who has been multiply accused of sexual assault.
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It was late Tuesday night and I was scrolling my timeline when I saw the following tweet, promoting the next episode of The Breakfast Club, set to air on Wednesday morning:
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Show co-hosts Charlamagne Tha God, DJ Envy and Angela Yee sat with Russell Simmons to discuss his new life in Bali, veganism, police reform and the late Andre Harrell. But, of course, we all know why he was there: to discuss the sexual assault allegations against him in HBO Max’s documentary, On The Record, which follows survivors Drew Dixon, Sil Lai Abrams and Sheri Sher. What followed was a triggering hour of gaslighting, evasion, belittling, martyrdom, faux allyship and more.
Advertisement
Charlamagne has readily admitted that his recent controversial interview with Rush Limbaugh was a “waste of time,” in an interview with Stephen Colbert. So, to then further waste everyone else’s time going from one Rush to another—“Uncle Rush”—with a heaping side of triggers was alarming, to say the very least. Further, if you’re going to host an alleged rapist for the sake of having an honest conversation, the very basics include holding the interviewee accountable to answer tough yet necessary questions and providing the same opportunity for the accusers.
Advertisement
The interview opened with the obvious—Simmons’ current location in Bali. But, when Simmons explained the reasons behind his move (apparently he has a talent agency in Asia and he is building a yoga studio for teachers), neither of the co-hosts pressed him about the suspicious timing, aside from one question (to which Simmons denied there were any civil or criminal charges against him). They simply allowed him to allude to having to “get away from the media,” and let it be.
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Abrams has confirmed that The Breakfast Club did not reach out to her, the other survivors or any documentary representatives to appear on the show. Yet, I have to ask: w ould they have even felt safe enough to appear on the show, anyway? Would the co-hosts create an environment that was welcoming to these black women in the same way they soothingly prepared Simmons for the inevitable question about the documentary? Regardless, these women should’ve been given the power and choice to make whatever decisions they felt they could.
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Though Simmons claimed to feel “muted” following the influx of coverage surrounding his allegations, I’d argue that the survivors have been outright muzzled. Simmons has been dubbed the “godfather of hip-hop,” and was the epitome of a gatekeeper. The idea that he has been muted when not only was he a voice, but the voice, is asinine, at best. Someone finally listening to women whose entire careers and livelihoods have been destroyed for the sake of silence does not equate to him being “muted,” but OK.
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The Time’s Up Foundation wrote a reporting guide refuting several of Simmons’ quotes in the interview, including his assertion that only “six or seven” women have come forward with allegations against him (it’s at least 15 at this time), his dismissive statements noting that the stories are “25 to 40 years old” (when it often takes time for survivors to come forward for a variety of systemic- and institutionalized-based reasons) and the ridiculous idea of “toxic femininity.”
“Black survivors endure a number of historical, cultural, and systemic barriers to being heard, supported, and believed,” Time’s Up wrote. “Immediately before an emotional conversation about police brutality against black women on The Breakfast Club this morning, Russell Simmons peddled numerous myths about sexual assault, stereotypes about black women, and distortions of facts in denying the multiple sexual assault allegations against him.”
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Further, journalist and bestselling author Elaine Welteroth spoke up, directly calling out The Breakfast Club for further suppressing the conversation around the need to protect black women, especially given their responsibility as a leading black media outlet.
Advertisement
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During this pivotal moment for Black liberation, Black women and survivors should not be discounted @breakfastclubamm” Welteroth tweeted. “We need OUR media to give voice to the Black women who are the most DISRESPECTED, UNPROTECTED, and NEGLECTED people in America.”
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I’d be remiss not to mention Charlamagne’s own history with rape allegations, particularly a 2001 rape investigation (which has been dropped, though that does not, by default, prove innocence) involving a 15-year-old girl. Additionally, he has joked about the “Spanish Fly” incident and recalled eagerly watching the R. Kelly child pornography tape. The rape investigation, specifically, raised concerns to the point that there was a petition to get him fired from the show. That was two years ago—and here we are today. Who’s really “muted” here?
In a recent interview with The Root, Abrams reflected on the aftermath of coming forward, a decision that was many years in the making. “Not just the calls you get from people with ulterior motives, but the absolute silence from the people that you thought were your acquaintances and friends. [There is an] abandonment that occurs,” Abrams said.
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These black women have been abandoned. Black Lives Matter doesn’t (nor shouldn’t) come with an asterisk. It does not come with a scheduled agenda that prioritizes cis-hetero black men above black women and/or members of the LGBTQ community.
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The Breakfast Club has been popular for its accessibility, but has it ever been safe for black women? Like many people in the black community, I’ve tuned into The Breakfast Club, lured by certain guest appearances—in several cases, it was the only black-led platform those guests appeared on (which makes it difficult not to report on it, given my job). Still, despite their fair share of major mishaps (the horrifyingly transphobic aura of their Janet Mock interview was a major tipping point for me), there seem to have been far more pressure to protect this large black platform, similar to the mass protection of black men within the hip-hop community (as explained in On The Record). But, I’m tired. We’re tired. Enough is enough.
I’m tired of black women being roadkill, even in the name of black pride. I’m tired of black pride meaning the protection of cis-hetero black men at the expense of those who do not identify as such. I’m tired of living under the burden of a brolic rape culture. I’m tired of the very platforms that are supposed to represent me constantly shitting on those who most closely represent me. I’m tired of yelling my frustrations and critiques into a void. I’m tired.
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I guess I could say that I’ve...lost my appetite for breakfast.


theroot--2020-06-10--Former NFL Star Brandon Marshall on Colin Kaepernick, National Anthem Protests: 'I Am Ashamed I Didn

Former NFL Star Brandon Marshall on Colin Kaepernick, National Anthem Protests: 'I Am Ashamed I Didn’t Take That Knee'

I know I ’ m not the only one who wondered why more black athletes didn ’ t have Colin Kaepernick ’ s back during the height of his national anthem protests .
But the NFL isn ’ t merely a sport—it ’ s a job—and former NFL receiver Brandon Marshall admits that providing for his family prevented him from participating .
“ The first thing that came to my mind , and I ’ m just being honest , was , ‘ I got a mom that don ’ t work .
I got a sister with four kids @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ ve been taking care of for 10 years .
If I take this knee , what will happen ?
’ ” he admitted on the I Am Athlete podcast .
“ And I remember feeling so broken and so hurt that that was the first thing that hit my mind .
‘ Do I kneel for the entire community , or do I stand for my mom , my brother , my sister ?
’ ” “ And looking back on it , I am ashamed that I didn ’ t take @ @ @ @ @ @ @ excited now about with the video that just came out with the NFL players because now I feel like they don ’ t have to make that decision .
They don ’ t have to think about that anymore .
If they want to take a knee , you think Nike ’ s going to drop them ?
” The video Marshall ’ s referring to was released last week and features some of the biggest names in the league , such as Patrick Mahomes , Odell Beckham Jr. , and DeShaun Watson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and admit that it was wrong for silencing players who peacefully protested .
“ We will not be silenced , ” they say in the video .
“ We assert our right to peacefully protest .
It shouldn ’ t take this long to admit.
” In response , NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released a video of his own doing exactly that .
“ We , the National Football League , condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people , ” he said .
He also went on to admit that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ players earlier , encouraged them to “ speak out and peacefully protest ” and asserted that Black Lives Matter .
Despite Goodell ’ s willingness to oblige , it ’ s impossible to look past the fact that at least three white players—former Philadelphia Eagles receiver Riley Cooper and current players Richie Incognito and Jake Fromm—have been involved in racially-charged incidents that include Cooper spewing , “ I will fight every nigger in here ” outside of a Kenny Chesney concert in 2013 , Incognito allegedly hurling homophobic and racist slurs at teammate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Fromm being exposed last week for texting that gun suppressors should be reserved for “ only elite white people.
” Each was allowed to resume their NFL career .
Also , how can you condemn racism in a league that had to create elaborate protocols just for black people to even get a damn job and that boasts a grand total of zero NFL owners despite its player pool being 70 percent black ?
And while Goodell insists that players can “ speak out and peacefully protest , ” do we really want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that national anthem protests remain banned ?
This is entirely lip service until the NFL gives Kap his job back and the league ensures that significant changes take place so that players like Marshall would ’ ve felt comfortable peacefully protesting without jeopardizing their ability to provide for their families .

I know I’m not the only one who wondered why more black athletes didn’t have Colin Kaepernick’s back during the height of his national anthem protests. But the NFL isn’t merely a sport—it’s a job—and former NFL receiver Brandon Marshall admits that providing for his family prevented him from participating.
“The first thing that came to my mind, and I’m just being honest, was, ‘I got a mom that don’t work. I got a sister with four kids that don’t work and I’ve been taking care of for 10 years. If I take this knee, what will happen?’” he admitted on the I Am Athlete podcast. “And I remember feeling so broken and so hurt that that was the first thing that hit my mind. ‘Do I kneel for the entire community, or do I stand for my mom, my brother, my sister?’”
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“And looking back on it, I am ashamed that I didn’t take that knee. But I am so excited now about with the video that just came out with the NFL players because now I feel like they don’t have to make that decision. They don’t have to think about that anymore. If they want to take a knee, you think Nike’s going to drop them?”
The video Marshall’s referring to was released last week and features some of the biggest names in the league, such as Patrick Mahomes, Odell Beckham Jr., and DeShaun Watson, demanding that the NFL condemn racism and admit that it was wrong for silencing players who peacefully protested.
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“We will not be silenced,” they say in the video. “We assert our right to peacefully protest. It shouldn’t take this long to admit.”
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In response, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell released a video of his own doing exactly that.
“We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people,” he said. He also went on to admit that the league was wrong for not listening to players earlier, encouraged them to “speak out and peacefully protest” and asserted that Black Lives Matter.
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Despite Goodell’s willingness to oblige, it’s impossible to look past the fact that at least three white players—former Philadelphia Eagles receiver Riley Cooper and current players Richie Incognito and Jake Fromm—have been involved in racially-charged incidents that include Cooper spewing, “I will fight every nigger in here” outside of a Kenny Chesney concert in 2013, Incognito allegedly hurling homophobic and racist slurs at teammate Jonathan Martin in the same year and Fromm being exposed last week for texting that gun suppressors should be reserved for “only elite white people.”
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Each was allowed to resume their NFL career.
Also, how can you condemn racism in a league that had to create elaborate protocols just for black people to even get a damn job and that boasts a grand total of zero NFL owners despite its player pool being 70 percent black?
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And while Goodell insists that players can “speak out and peacefully protest,” do we really want to bring up Colin Kaepernick? Or the fact that national anthem protests remain banned?
This is entirely lip service until the NFL gives Kap his job back and the league ensures that significant changes take place so that players like Marshall would’ve felt comfortable peacefully protesting without jeopardizing their ability to provide for their families.


theroot--2020-06-10--Solidarity Is in Style—but Is Fashion Media Really Ready to Reckon With Its Race Problem?

Though we ’ ve long known it to be true , in some ways “ Black Lives Matter ” has suddenly become the little black dress of the fashion industry : the oft-forgotten yet indispensable and unfailingly stylish way to show solidarity in a moment of global outrage .
One need look no further than the spate of daily newsletters sent by an assortment of fashion publications , now suddenly laden with black-owned brands and talents previously only featured during Black History Month and recirculated articles of black celebs and influencers , for lack of any more substantive way to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As one who has done that same work daily for years , the sudden solidarity and recognition of the rest of the industry is bittersweet .
Big ups to the brands getting a well-deserved boost in amid an economic downturn and senseless tragedy , but to the critical eye , these publications might as well have just said , “ See ?
We have black friends !
” In August 2018 , Lindsay Peoples Wagner , then fashion editor of The Cut , published a revealing and searing report titled “ Everywhere and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like to be black and work in fashion.
” In it , “ 100 black individuals , from assistants to executives , stylists , celebrities , models , and everyone in-between ” gave firsthand accounts of the bias , marginalization and tokenism they ’ d encountered within the industry .
And yet , nearly two years later and following a series of high-profile , racially charged public relations nightmares , it would take a national racial crisis to reveal the parallel and persistent problem within the fashion industry—one ironically prompted by countless poignant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , if passive , shows of solidarity .
( In the case of those regurgitated stories , I ’ d simply call it “ lazy.
” ) For those of us who ’ ve long felt the fashion industry needs more black friends than the celebs on its pages , it has been further proof of how blind its media outlets remain to their own race problem—and how ill-prepared they were to confront it in a moment that demanded discussion .
As Jason Campbell and Henrietta Gallina , hosts of the intersectional podcast @ @ @ @ @ @ @ op-ed in Business of Fashion titled “ Fashion Is Part of the Race Problem ” : And then , there were the testimonials .
Offended by what many perceived to be a wholly performative show of support , several black fashion and culture journalists began speaking out on social media , calling out the hypocrisy of media outlets publicly expressing concern for black lives while allegedly marginalizing and tokenizing those on their own staffs .
Of particular note was Paper magazine ’ s now-former culture editor Michael Love Michael , who explained their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ included a somewhat dismissive exchange between themselves and the magazine ’ s CEO , Tom Florio , following an all-staff memo from Florio which promised solidarity and “ increasing editorial coverage of the macro issues of racism.
” Michael , a black , non-binary creative who uses “ they/them ” pronouns , paints a different picture of the culture at Paper , where they spent the past 2 1/2 of their 10 years in media .
After joining Paper as a permalancer and advancing to Culture Reporter ( a role Michael says was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ promoted to Culture Editor in November 2019 .
However , they say their promotion was hard-won in comparison to those of white colleagues .
“ Of course , everybody always tried to sort of downplay [ it ] and say it wasn ’ t like that ...
But I just think of how I ’ m aware of how raises were dispensed to certain people before me , ” Michael told The Root .
“ I was the senior-most person on our digital team before other white people who were promoted , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to one person , but to three people—two of whom had less experience than I did.
” It was Michael ’ s own request for a promotion and raise that marked the end of what they ’ d previously regarded as a “ honeymoon ” with Paper .
By their estimate , it took nearly two months to receive any response whatsoever to their formal request for a raise or promotion , only to be told no .
In their online exchange with Florio , the CEO indicated the issue hinged on Michael @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was willing to offer for the role , calling any insinuation that race was a factor “ disingenuous.
” “ Well yeah , of course—I deserve a lot more than I ’ ve been able to get , ” said Michael , who added that despite being told their work was stellar , they “ basically auditioned ” for the editorial role they eventually earned .
“ It was a really roundabout , drawn-out process ; but then I saw how easy it was for other white people that I worked with…I really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ put my full self into [ my job ] and I really felt like that was encouraged but then I just kind of realized that it was being completely taken for granted.
” But even after earning the title , Michael says they were not given commensurate autonomy .
“ I ’ m allegedly a part of leadership but I ’ m not really being treated like a leader in some ways , ” they said .
“ I look around and I see everyone ’ s white and they have certain capabilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ m just like , ‘ Is there ’ s some unconscious discrimination going on ?
Like , what ’ s going on ?
’ Bringing their concerns to a supervisor , Michael quickly became “ sort of fed up ” with the tenor of their meetings and approached Paper ’ s HR in hopes of mediation .
Instead , Michael said the meeting became an “ emotional ” one for them , the only person of color in the room .
“ [ T ] he very next morning , I was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boss and with the HR director ... my boss ended up leading the meeting and kind of putting me on the spot and being like , ‘ I want you to tell me everything you told HR ’ …It just felt like this setup…I didn ’ t feel like I could say ‘ no.
’ “ I left that meeting feeling kind of like it was just a way for them to kind of dot their i ’ s and crossed their t ’ s , ” Michael continued , “ and not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me or my wellbeing , or what this process was kind of doing to me in terms of my trust , my morale—which was already just sinking lower and lower.
” The disillusionment was only compounded by the coronavirus outbreak .
Michael told us that Paper , like many media outlets , coupled announcements of pandemic-related pay cuts with expectations of increased productivity .
After Michael ’ s expressed concerns about the emotional wellbeing of the staff became buried in a semantics debate that felt tantamount to tone-policing and “ gaslighting , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ edged out ” and seemingly given the silent treatment in their final two weeks at Paper with no announcement made about their departure ( an experience corroborated by another colleague of color ) .
“ It just really felt like I was like being allowed to leave like really unceremoniously as if I wasn ’ t a valuable member of the team , ” they told The Root .
Kayla Greaves , Senior Beauty Editor of InStyle magazine , echoes Michael ’ s experience when speaking about prior positions in the industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the easiest , most comfortable , comforting , supportive place [ she ’ s ] ever worked ” —and her colleagues for doing the heavy lifting in recent weeks without being asked—but her current workplace sits in stark contrast to her experiences at other media outlets .
( Greaves declined to name names , but a glimpse at her LinkedIn profile reveals former roles at Bustle Digital Group , Contempo Media ’ s S Magazine , and HuffPo , predated by positions at Upscale and Blavity ) .
“ [ T ] here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the past where it ’ s been mentally exhausting , it ’ s been taxing , it ’ s been discouraging to the point where , by the end of my time there , I was so checked out…It was such a fight to do anything—just to do something that had to do with blackness , ” she recalled .
“ And then , people wanted me to overexplain to them [ and make it ] more palatable for white people to take in ... And when you ’ re a company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of things you push onto your employees of color—and specifically , your black employees—how do you expect to retain these people ?
Nobody ’ s gon na want to stay in an environment like that.
” Greaves ’ words proved true as other journalists of color simultaneously aired grievances online in response to public statements made by their former employers .
Among them was former Refinery29 editor Ashley Alese Edwards , who began a thread of her own about her former workplace in response to its # BlackoutTuesday post , tweeting , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” On Wednesday , Edwards doubled down , calling on other current and former Refinery29 employees to share their stories of “ discrimination and microaggressions [ they ’ ve ] experienced from management.
” Her request garnered multiple responses , including an anecdote from writer Sesali Bowen about being confused for a caterer by a superior and recollection from writer Channing Hargrove of being asked to write “ an apology piece to white women ” after a piece she ’ d written about cultural appropriation went viral .
One of the most damning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , who wrote : Of course , the scenarios described run contrary to the public images of Refinery29 and Paper , both of which have long prided themselves on inclusive content and imagery—including Refinery29 's popular black woman-centric spin-off , “ Unbothered.
” And yet , multiple tweets alleged that Refinery29 's racial disparities extended well beyond black employees .
“ [ I ] n the spirit of solidarity , ” Latinx journalist Andrea González-Ramírez tweeted that she ’ d been paid significantly less than white colleagues in the same role during her @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Connie Wang recounted her demotion from a directorial role after asserting that the site should focus on quality over quantity .
Wang also recalled being expected to do the work of vanity hires positioned above her , calling the experience “ frustrating and humiliating.
” “ This week showed me how doing things ‘ the right way ’ —something WOC have been doing at their workplaces forever for security/safety—might work on an individual level , but it is profoundly ineffective at dismantling the status quo , ” she tweeted , apologizing to those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ At Refinery29 , which was recently acquired by Vice , the reckoning would seemingly be swift .
On Monday morning , the site ’ s union announced that co-founder and Global EIC Christene Barberich was stepping down from the site , prompting an immediate search for her replacement “ which will involve a ‘ fully inclusive hiring process.
’ ” A memo from Vice CEO Nancy Dubuc claimed the transition had been in the works since the acquisition and had only been accelerated by the complaints ; a follow-up tweet from the R29 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are many changes left to be made at the company to account for the aggressions that our past and current employees have faced .
We hope to continue taking leadership to task on their promises to promote a diverse [ and ] inclusive workplace in the immediate future.
” It ’ s the type of corrective action we should be able to expect from any corporation that claims to value diversity .
But as the testimonials of far too many journalists indicate , those claims—which extend well beyond fashion media—are often as performative @ @ @ @ @ @ @ boxes that overtook our timelines a week ago .
And while the responsiveness is appreciated , “ Why did it take extreme violence and a weekend of protests and riots for you to really pay attention ?
” asks Michael Love Michael .
“ We ’ re right here—we ’ ve been here all this time .
“ Paper is this thing that stands for elevating marginalized communities .
But that ’ s very much just on the surface , ” they said , pointing out that much of the public perception their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ success on social media .
“ Paper has a really immaculately crafted digital presence but that also [ is due to ] the brilliance of black women ... it ’ s pretty well known within the industry and that ’ s because we have these voices of black women running the accounts…but as far as writing [ and ] being an editor , there was just me , in terms of black people.
” And in a moment that has reinvigorated a discussion of the myriad ways in which anti-black racism manifests , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in which black talent , in particular , is sidelined .
“ I want the media industry , especially now , in this moment , to really contend with this idea that [ it ] survives on the backs of black labor , black culture , etc.
” they later added .
“ Stop exploiting us .
Stop using our likeness for profit to line your pockets , and respect us .
Respect our talent ; respect our value.
” “ I ’ d like to see companies take a hard look at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ There ’ s a lot of people we have seen who are scrambling at this time , and if you were scrambling , you were telling on yourself , ” she continued .
“ You need to have black people ...
Hire black people , invest in black people , promote black people , care for your black employees .
Let them have a seat at the table , let them make decisions , let them do their own thing .
Black people are the tastemakers of culture ...
So it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have black people on staff and in decision-making positions .
We will not steer you wrong ; we never have .
So I think that ’ s what companies need to do and they need to stick by that—if they ’ re saying they stand by black employees and they only have one black employee to stand by , they need to think about that.
” Instead , it seems some companies have been content to rely on the desperation bred by a constantly narrowing media landscape—not to mention increasing unemployment—to intimidate already @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s interesting how in media we ’ re like purveyors of truth and justice , and yet whenever people experience this sort of stuff—because they ’ re so afraid of : a ) losing their job , or b ) getting blacklisted , or c ) having no other career opportunities—we clam up and we overintellectualize real things that are happening on the ground that are abusive , toxic and fucked up , ” said Michael , who has launched the hashtag # blackerthanaPAPERbag to amplify the concerns of other employees .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ we go to another outlet , and then that [ last ] outlet just gets to keep being toxic and abusive and nobody does anything and it ’ s just like that .
But that , to me , is the aim of white supremacy : it is meant to make us silent ; it ’ s meant to make us question ourselves .
It ’ s meant to make us feel like we don ’ t have any other options so that it can continue to perpetuate its agenda , continue to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ If you ’ re experiencing a toxic , abusive environment that ’ s impactful to your mental health in a negative way , I ’ m sorry , [ but ] people need to know about that because you ’ re also potentially doing people coming in after you who look like you a serious disservice , ” Michael added .
For once , if momentarily , the fashion industry may actually be listening .
Paper CEO Tom Florio has since publicly apologized to Michael in a series of tweets promising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our team , from every background , feels valued and appreciated.
” However , while Florio boasted of “ a vibrant community with almost 40 percent people of color ” ( h/t New York Post ) ; that figure fails to satisfy the more nuanced aspects of Michael ’ s complaint .
“ I think black people know this , but I think a lot of white people when they think ‘ black lives matter ’ they mean literally the physical body or something , ‘ cause they think of the murder and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s what we see across all our timelines , ” Michael noted .
“ But that , to me , also means the interior life , the spiritual life of a black person , a black soul .
Like , black souls matter…our lives mattering also means that we have a self-worth that literally it can ’ t be bought , it can ’ t be sold , it ’ s completely invaluable .
So I guess that ’ s what I hope : that we just carry that with us every @ @ @

Maiysha Kai on The Glow Up, shared by Maiysha Kai to The Root

Though we’ve long known it to be true, in some ways “Black Lives Matter” has suddenly become the little black dress of the fashion industry: the oft-forgotten yet indispensable and unfailingly stylish way to show solidarity in a moment of global outrage. One need look no further than the spate of daily newsletters sent by an assortment of fashion publications, now suddenly laden with black-owned brands and talents previously only featured during Black History Month and recirculated articles of black celebs and influencers, for lack of any more substantive way to say they care about black lives.
As one who has done that same work daily for years, the sudden solidarity and recognition of the rest of the industry is bittersweet. Big ups to the brands getting a well-deserved boost in amid an economic downturn and senseless tragedy, but to the critical eye, these publications might as well have just said, “See? We have black friends!”
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But do they?
In August 2018, Lindsay Peoples Wagner, then fashion editor of The Cut, published a revealing and searing report titled “Everywhere and Nowhere: What it’s really like to be black and work in fashion.” In it, “100 black individuals, from assistants to executives, stylists, celebrities, models, and everyone in-between” gave firsthand accounts of the bias, marginalization and tokenism they’d encountered within the industry. And yet, nearly two years later and following a series of high-profile, racially charged public relations nightmares, it would take a national racial crisis to reveal the parallel and persistent problem within the fashion industry—one ironically prompted by countless poignant platitudes splashed across social media in public, if passive, shows of solidarity. (In the case of those regurgitated stories, I’d simply call it “lazy.”)
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For those of us who’ve long felt the fashion industry needs more black friends than the celebs on its pages, it has been further proof of how blind its media outlets remain to their own race problem—and how ill-prepared they were to confront it in a moment that demanded discussion. As Jason Campbell and Henrietta Gallina, hosts of the intersectional podcast The Conversations noted in a June 3 op-ed in Business of Fashion titled “Fashion Is Part of the Race Problem”:
[O]verall, the [fashion] industry’s slow and lackluster responses to racial injustice in the days since the killing of George Floyd has overwhelmingly been underwhelming, all too often consisting of vague statements and repurposed content. And black people in the fashion business know all too well that these symbols of support are no reflection of the darker realities under the surface of the industry... It’s no secret that we have very few people of color and fewer-to-no black people in leadership, decision-making, gatekeeping roles in this industry. Perhaps, then, it’s no surprise that fashion has established narratives that effectively support white supremacy—from the sinister measure of beauty by white European standards to the criminalization of black bodies in luxury stores to a legacy of erasing black culture’s contributions to fashion aesthetics to anti-black hiring practices and workplace bias. Indeed, the fashion industry has been and still is one of the greatest racial oppressors in the world, a fact that makes all those social media posts a lot less credible.
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And then, there were the testimonials. Offended by what many perceived to be a wholly performative show of support, several black fashion and culture journalists began speaking out on social media, calling out the hypocrisy of media outlets publicly expressing concern for black lives while allegedly marginalizing and tokenizing those on their own staffs. Of particular note was Paper magazine’s now-former culture editor Michael Love Michael, who explained their recent resignation in a now-viral tweet that included a somewhat dismissive exchange between themselves and the magazine’s CEO, Tom Florio, following an all-staff memo from Florio which promised solidarity and “increasing editorial coverage of the macro issues of racism.”
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Michael, a black, non-binary creative who uses “they/them” pronouns, paints a different picture of the culture at Paper, where they spent the past 2 1/2 of their 10 years in media. After joining Paper as a permalancer and advancing to Culture Reporter (a role Michael says was created for them), they were promoted to Culture Editor in November 2019. However, they say their promotion was hard-won in comparison to those of white colleagues.
“Of course, everybody always tried to sort of downplay [it] and say it wasn’t like that...But I just think of how I’m aware of how raises were dispensed to certain people before me,” Michael told The Root. “I was the senior-most person on our digital team before other white people who were promoted, and I suddenly found myself reporting not just to one person, but to three people—two of whom had less experience than I did.”
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It was Michael’s own request for a promotion and raise that marked the end of what they’d previously regarded as a “honeymoon” with Paper. By their estimate, it took nearly two months to receive any response whatsoever to their formal request for a raise or promotion, only to be told no. In their online exchange with Florio, the CEO indicated the issue hinged on Michael asking for more money than the company was willing to offer for the role, calling any insinuation that race was a factor “disingenuous.”
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“Well yeah, of course—I deserve a lot more than I’ve been able to get,” said Michael, who added that despite being told their work was stellar, they “basically auditioned” for the editorial role they eventually earned. “It was a really roundabout, drawn-out process; but then I saw how easy it was for other white people that I worked with…I really showed up as my full self, put my full self into [my job] and I really felt like that was encouraged but then I just kind of realized that it was being completely taken for granted.”
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But even after earning the title, Michael says they were not given commensurate autonomy.
“I’m allegedly a part of leadership but I’m not really being treated like a leader in some ways,” they said. “I look around and I see everyone’s white and they have certain capabilities that I don’t and I’m just like, ‘Is there’s some unconscious discrimination going on? Like, what’s going on?’
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Bringing their concerns to a supervisor, Michael quickly became “sort of fed up” with the tenor of their meetings and approached Paper’s HR in hopes of mediation. Instead, Michael said the meeting became an “emotional” one for them, the only person of color in the room.
“[T]he very next morning, I was called in for a meeting with my boss and with the HR director...my boss ended up leading the meeting and kind of putting me on the spot and being like, ‘I want you to tell me everything you told HR’…It just felt like this setup…I didn’t feel like I could say ‘no.’
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“I left that meeting feeling kind of like it was just a way for them to kind of dot their i’s and crossed their t’s,” Michael continued, “and not that they had any real concern for me or my wellbeing, or what this process was kind of doing to me in terms of my trust, my morale—which was already just sinking lower and lower.”
The disillusionment was only compounded by the coronavirus outbreak. Michael told us that Paper, like many media outlets, coupled announcements of pandemic-related pay cuts with expectations of increased productivity. After Michael’s expressed concerns about the emotional wellbeing of the staff became buried in a semantics debate that felt tantamount to tone-policing and “gaslighting,” they ultimately decided to resign—only to feel “edged out” and seemingly given the silent treatment in their final two weeks at Paper with no announcement made about their departure (an experience corroborated by another colleague of color).
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“It just really felt like I was like being allowed to leave like really unceremoniously as if I wasn’t a valuable member of the team,” they told The Root.
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Kayla Greaves, Senior Beauty Editor of InStyle magazine, echoes Michael’s experience when speaking about prior positions in the industry. She credits InStyle with being “the easiest, most comfortable, comforting, supportive place [she’s] ever worked”—and her colleagues for doing the heavy lifting in recent weeks without being asked—but her current workplace sits in stark contrast to her experiences at other media outlets. (Greaves declined to name names, but a glimpse at her LinkedIn profile reveals former roles at Bustle Digital Group, Contempo Media’s S Magazine, and HuffPo, predated by positions at Upscale and Blavity).
“[T]here are other places I’ve worked in the past where it’s been mentally exhausting, it’s been taxing, it’s been discouraging to the point where, by the end of my time there, I was so checked out…It was such a fight to do anything—just to do something that had to do with blackness,” she recalled. “And then, people wanted me to overexplain to them [and make it] more palatable for white people to take in...And when you’re a company like that and these are the types of things you push onto your employees of color—and specifically, your black employees—how do you expect to retain these people? Nobody’s gonna want to stay in an environment like that.”
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Greaves’ words proved true as other journalists of color simultaneously aired grievances online in response to public statements made by their former employers. Among them was former Refinery29 editor Ashley Alese Edwards, who began a thread of her own about her former workplace in response to its #BlackoutTuesday post, tweeting, “my patience for performative allyship is over.”
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On Wednesday, Edwards doubled down, calling on other current and former Refinery29 employees to share their stories of “discrimination and microaggressions [they’ve] experienced from management.” Her request garnered multiple responses, including an anecdote from writer Sesali Bowen about being confused for a caterer by a superior and recollection from writer Channing Hargrove of being asked to write “an apology piece to white women” after a piece she’d written about cultural appropriation went viral. One of the most damning accounts came from writer Ashley C. Ford, who wrote:
I worked at Refinery29 for less than nine months due to a toxic company culture where white women’s egos ruled the near non-existent editorial processes. One of the founders consistently confused myself and one our full-time front desk associates & pay disparity was atrocious. This is not to say that *I* personally was underpaid, as I was not, but it didn’t take long to learn that no other Black woman at the company was making anything close to my salary, while they were being overworked and under-appreciated. I went back to freelancing.
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Of course, the scenarios described run contrary to the public images of Refinery29 and Paper, both of which have long prided themselves on inclusive content and imagery—including Refinery29's popular black woman-centric spin-off, “Unbothered.” And yet, multiple tweets alleged that Refinery29's racial disparities extended well beyond black employees. “[I]n the spirit of solidarity,” Latinx journalist Andrea González-Ramírez tweeted that she’d been paid significantly less than white colleagues in the same role during her tenure, while current Senior Features Writer Connie Wang recounted her demotion from a directorial role after asserting that the site should focus on quality over quantity. Wang also recalled being expected to do the work of vanity hires positioned above her, calling the experience “frustrating and humiliating.”
“This week showed me how doing things ‘the right way’—something WOC have been doing at their workplaces forever for security/safety—might work on an individual level, but it is profoundly ineffective at dismantling the status quo,” she tweeted, apologizing to those she may have “let down.”
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At Refinery29, which was recently acquired by Vice, the reckoning would seemingly be swift. On Monday morning, the site’s union announced that co-founder and Global EIC Christene Barberich was stepping down from the site, prompting an immediate search for her replacement “which will involve a ‘fully inclusive hiring process.’” A memo from Vice CEO Nancy Dubuc claimed the transition had been in the works since the acquisition and had only been accelerated by the complaints; a follow-up tweet from the R29 union read: “However, there are many changes left to be made at the company to account for the aggressions that our past and current employees have faced. We hope to continue taking leadership to task on their promises to promote a diverse [and] inclusive workplace in the immediate future.”
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It’s the type of corrective action we should be able to expect from any corporation that claims to value diversity. But as the testimonials of far too many journalists indicate, those claims—which extend well beyond fashion media—are often as performative and empty as the series of black boxes that overtook our timelines a week ago. And while the responsiveness is appreciated, “Why did it take extreme violence and a weekend of protests and riots for you to really pay attention?” asks Michael Love Michael. “We’re right here—we’ve been here all this time.
“Paper is this thing that stands for elevating marginalized communities. But that’s very much just on the surface,” they said, pointing out that much of the public perception their former employer enjoys is due to its success on social media. “Paper has a really immaculately crafted digital presence but that also [is due to] the brilliance of black women...it’s pretty well known within the industry and that’s because we have these voices of black women running the accounts…but as far as writing [and] being an editor, there was just me, in terms of black people.”
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And in a moment that has reinvigorated a discussion of the myriad ways in which anti-black racism manifests, Michael is careful to specify the ways in which black talent, in particular, is sidelined. “I want the media industry, especially now, in this moment, to really contend with this idea that [it] survives on the backs of black labor, black culture, etc.” they later added. “Stop exploiting us. Stop using our likeness for profit to line your pockets, and respect us. Respect our talent; respect our value.”
“I’d like to see companies take a hard look at themselves,” Kayla Greaves agreed. “There’s a lot of people we have seen who are scrambling at this time, and if you were scrambling, you were telling on yourself,” she continued. “You need to have black people...Hire black people, invest in black people, promote black people, care for your black employees. Let them have a seat at the table, let them make decisions, let them do their own thing. Black people are the tastemakers of culture...So it is only of a benefit to you to have black people on staff and in decision-making positions. We will not steer you wrong; we never have. So I think that’s what companies need to do and they need to stick by that—if they’re saying they stand by black employees and they only have one black employee to stand by, they need to think about that.”
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Instead, it seems some companies have been content to rely on the desperation bred by a constantly narrowing media landscape—not to mention increasing unemployment—to intimidate already marginalized employees into silence.
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“It’s interesting how in media we’re like purveyors of truth and justice, and yet whenever people experience this sort of stuff—because they’re so afraid of: a) losing their job, or b) getting blacklisted, or c) having no other career opportunities—we clam up and we overintellectualize real things that are happening on the ground that are abusive, toxic and fucked up,” said Michael, who has launched the hashtag #blackerthanaPAPERbag to amplify the concerns of other employees. “We bury our pain and then we go to another outlet, and then that [last] outlet just gets to keep being toxic and abusive and nobody does anything and it’s just like that. But that, to me, is the aim of white supremacy: it is meant to make us silent; it’s meant to make us question ourselves. It’s meant to make us feel like we don’t have any other options so that it can continue to perpetuate its agenda, continue to profit off of us while exploiting us.
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“If you’re experiencing a toxic, abusive environment that’s impactful to your mental health in a negative way, I’m sorry, [but] people need to know about that because you’re also potentially doing people coming in after you who look like you a serious disservice,” Michael added.
For once, if momentarily, the fashion industry may actually be listening. Paper CEO Tom Florio has since publicly apologized to Michael in a series of tweets promising to “make sure every member of our team, from every background, feels valued and appreciated.” However, while Florio boasted of “a vibrant community with almost 40 percent people of color” (h/t New York Post); that figure fails to satisfy the more nuanced aspects of Michael’s complaint.
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“I think black people know this, but I think a lot of white people when they think ‘black lives matter’ they mean literally the physical body or something, ‘cause they think of the murder and they think of the killing and that’s what we see across all our timelines,” Michael noted. “But that, to me, also means the interior life, the spiritual life of a black person, a black soul. Like, black souls matter…our lives mattering also means that we have a self-worth that literally it can’t be bought, it can’t be sold, it’s completely invaluable. So I guess that’s what I hope: that we just carry that with us every day.”


theroot--2020-06-10--30 Days of Iconic Music Video Blackness With VSB, Day 10: D'Angelo 'Untitled (How Does It Feel)'

There are no-brainers and then there are no-brainers .
This one : is a no-brainer .
For starters , I VIVIDLY remember when D ’ Angelo ’ s Voodoo dropped in January 2000 .
We ’ d been waiting for a new D ’ Angelo album since he came through and crushed the buildings with 1995 's Brown Sugar .
When Voodoo dropped , I remember the constant debate over which album was better between the two ; they were as constant as the debate over who was the better MC , Jay-Z or Biggie .
Folks split off into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ little middle ground .
For the record , both are classic ( indisputable ) and more for the record , I ’ m a Brown Sugar , guy , though I love Voodoo with my whole heart .
And then came the video .
D ’ Angelo “ Untitled ( How Does It Feel ) “ ( 2000 ) D ’ Angelo clearly hit the gym and wanted to share it with the world .
Paul Hunter directed this video that was just one continuous shot of a sweaty , naked D ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all she wrote .
D ’ Angelo became a sex symbol , people spoofed the video and every dude ’ s girlfriend was glued to the television screen .
There was even a rumor that D ’ Angelo was getting “ served ” and his movements were the build up to the climax at the end when he is throwing his hands in the air , and waving them like he just didn ’ t care .
Worked for me and everybody else .
This video is so intertwined with his legacy at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , people automatically think of the video ( such that they were alive and old enough to be aware of D ’ Angelo at that point ) .
It is also part of what allegedly turned him into more of a recluse than he already was— the pressure of being this version of D ’ Angelo was a lot .
But as sure as the day is long , D ’ Angelo dropped one of the most memorable , recognizable , jealousy-inducing videos ever .
I thought about hitting the gym after I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also came to the same realization Drake probably did after listening to Kendrick Lamar ’ s To Pimp a Butterfly for the first time : I can ’ t do that , so why try .

Panama Jackson on Very Smart Brothas, shared by Panama Jackson to The Root

There are no-brainers and then there are no-brainers. This one: is a no-brainer.
For starters, I VIVIDLY remember when D’Angelo’s Voodoo dropped in January 2000. We’d been waiting for a new D’Angelo album since he came through and crushed the buildings with 1995's Brown Sugar. When Voodoo dropped, I remember the constant debate over which album was better between the two; they were as constant as the debate over who was the better MC, Jay-Z or Biggie. Folks split off into their two camps and there was very little middle ground. For the record, both are classic (indisputable) and more for the record, I’m a Brown Sugar, guy, though I love Voodoo with my whole heart.
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And then came the video.
D’Angelo “Untitled (How Does It Feel)“ (2000)
D’Angelo clearly hit the gym and wanted to share it with the world. Paul Hunter directed this video that was just one continuous shot of a sweaty, naked D’Angelo, and well, that was all she wrote. D’Angelo became a sex symbol, people spoofed the video and every dude’s girlfriend was glued to the television screen. There was even a rumor that D’Angelo was getting “served” and his movements were the build up to the climax at the end when he is throwing his hands in the air, and waving them like he just didn’t care.
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Worked for me and everybody else.
This video is so intertwined with his legacy at this point that when you mention Voodoo, people automatically think of the video (such that they were alive and old enough to be aware of D’Angelo at that point). It is also part of what allegedly turned him into more of a recluse than he already was— the pressure of being this version of D’Angelo was a lot.
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But as sure as the day is long, D’Angelo dropped one of the most memorable, recognizable, jealousy-inducing videos ever. I thought about hitting the gym after I saw the video, but then I also came to the same realization Drake probably did after listening to Kendrick Lamar’s To Pimp a Butterfly for the first time: I can’t do that, so why try.
Iconic.


theroot--2020-06-10--Of Course, the GOP Convention Is Heading to the End of America’s Digestive Tract

Florida is the asshole of America .
So it is fitting that the gathering of assholes may happen in the one place that is so strange that it is a game to look up “ Florida man ” and your birthday to see what ridiculous crime you land on .
I ’ m “ Thong-wearing Florida man arrested while building shed with garbage on stranger ’ s property.
” After North Carolina officials told President Trump that they couldn ’ t endorse a packed arena because of the coronavirus and all , the huffy president is taking his convention to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s the rumor .
According to the Washington Post , “ Republicans have tentatively settled on Jacksonville , Fla. , as the new destination for the premier festivities of the Republican National Convention in August , according to three Republican officials briefed on the plans.
” While details are still being figured out , the scuttlebutt is that they will have baby goat intestines and shaved dung beetles the size of Texas as apps for the guests .
They are still trying to figure out if Jacksonville has enough hotels to host @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enough meth .
The president—being the king of “ everyone come massage my nether regions while telling me how much you love me , ” which is reportedly called “ Pulling a Sen. Lindsey Graham ” —insisted on hosting a large convention-style announcement for his campaign and North Carolina was like , “ Nah , we good.
” The Post notes that smaller meetings will still take place in Charlotte , but , “ those smaller meetings are intended to honor the RNC ’ s contractual obligation to hold its convention in North @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for moving the large events elsewhere.
” Basically , Trump wants to be praised as he accepts the party ’ s nomination and he can ’ t let the coronavirus stand in the way .
“ I don ’ t want to be sitting in a place that ’ s 50 percent empty , ” Trump told North Carolina Gov .
Roy Cooper ( D ) late last month in a phone conversation , sources told the Post .
“ We can ’ t do social distancing , ” Trump said on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least , this is how I imagine he told him ) , “ Bitch , are you tripping ?
We can ’ t have a group of people in a place like that , as some 20,000 people could get sick !
” Trump responded : “ But what about me ?
What about what I want ?
” Cooper , whom the Post notes is up for reelection , asked Republican officials to provide a safety protocol plan and they responded with some bullshit about testing , aggressively sanitizing the lips @ @ @ @ @ @ @ president ’ s ass during this time and buses to transport important people , but they didn ’ t really offer specifics .
So with that , they are reportedly taking the show to the great country of Florida where you only have to be white , have an American flag headpiece , a beer cozy and you ’ re immediately welcomed .

Florida is the asshole of America.
So it is fitting that the gathering of assholes may happen in the one place that is so strange that it is a game to look up “Florida man” and your birthday to see what ridiculous crime you land on.
I’m “Thong-wearing Florida man arrested while building shed with garbage on stranger’s property.”
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After North Carolina officials told President Trump that they couldn’t endorse a packed arena because of the coronavirus and all, the huffy president is taking his convention to Jacksonville, Fla.—or at least, that’s the rumor.
According to the Washington Post, “Republicans have tentatively settled on Jacksonville, Fla., as the new destination for the premier festivities of the Republican National Convention in August, according to three Republican officials briefed on the plans.”
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While details are still being figured out, the scuttlebutt is that they will have baby goat intestines and shaved dung beetles the size of Texas as apps for the guests. They are still trying to figure out if Jacksonville has enough hotels to host the event, but it surely has enough meth. The president—being the king of “everyone come massage my nether regions while telling me how much you love me,” which is reportedly called “Pulling a Sen. Lindsey Graham”—insisted on hosting a large convention-style announcement for his campaign and North Carolina was like, “Nah, we good.”
The Post notes that smaller meetings will still take place in Charlotte, but, “those smaller meetings are intended to honor the RNC’s contractual obligation to hold its convention in North Carolina and shield the party from lawsuits for moving the large events elsewhere.”
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Basically, Trump wants to be praised as he accepts the party’s nomination and he can’t let the coronavirus stand in the way.
“I don’t want to be sitting in a place that’s 50 percent empty,” Trump told North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) late last month in a phone conversation, sources told the Post.
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“We can’t do social distancing,” Trump said on the call.
Cooper told Trump (or at least, this is how I imagine he told him), “Bitch, are you tripping? We can’t have a group of people in a place like that, as some 20,000 people could get sick!”
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Trump responded: “But what about me? What about what I want?”
Cooper, whom the Post notes is up for reelection, asked Republican officials to provide a safety protocol plan and they responded with some bullshit about testing, aggressively sanitizing the lips of those who would be kissing the president’s ass during this time and buses to transport important people, but they didn’t really offer specifics.
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So with that, they are reportedly taking the show to the great country of Florida where you only have to be white, have an American flag headpiece, a beer cozy and you’re immediately welcomed.


theroot--2020-06-10--A Missouri Woman Got Merriam-Webster to Agree to Update Its Definition of Racism

The conversation usually goes something like… Fragile white person : “ White people aren ’ t the only ones who can be racist , ya know !
Black people are racist against whites all the time !
” Progressive black person : “ Nope !
Black people can ’ t be racist because racism requires systemic power .
Black people simply don ’ t possess the social capital to be racist.
” FWP : “ WRONG !
Wrong , Sir .
A nybody can be racist .
Just look the word up in the dictionary and you ’ ll see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ racism as “ a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.
” Even that definition somewhat disqualifies black people from being racist since our fight tends to be for equality , not “ superiority.
” Still , we have often argued that the current definition is far too vague to accurately describe the impact of the only type of racism that really matters—systemic racism .
Fortunately , one black woman has taken the initiative and emailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ word be amended to reflect the reality of how racism works and , now , it looks like changes are underway .
According to CNN , 22-year-old Kennedy Mitchum—a Drake University graduate living in Florissant , Mo.—emailed the dictionary ’ s publishers about making the change last month and was surprised that they responded and agreed to update the entry .
“ I kept having to tell them that definition is not representative of what is actually happening in the world , ” Mitchum told CNN .
“ The way that racism occurs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ; it ’ s the systemic racism that is happening for a lot of black Americans.
” Mitchum said she sent her email on a Thursday night and got a reply from editor Alex Chambers the next morning .
After a few emails , Chambers agreed that the entry should be updated and said a new definition is being drafted .
“ This revision would not have been made without your persistence in contacting us about this problem , ” Chambers said in the email , which was provided to CNN .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in and apologize for the harm and offense we have caused in failing to address this issue sooner.
” Mitchum said she was “ super happy because I really felt like that was a step in a good direction for a lot of positive change for a lot of different positive conversations that can really help change the world and helps change how people view things.
” Merriam-Webster editor Peter Sokolowski pointed out to CNN that they also define racism as “ a doctrine or political program based on the assumption of racism @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and “ a political or social system founded on racism , ” but he agreed that “ we can express this more clearly to bring the idea of an asymmetrical power structure into the language of this definition.
” Sokolowski noted that updates are made to dictionary entries two or three times a year and , while definitions used to be kept short so they could fit in printed editions , that ’ s no longer the case now that so many people use online dictionaries .
“ The mission for [ Noah @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back in his first dictionary in 1806 , was to essentially present the current active vocabulary of American English and that ’ s still our mission today , ” Sokolowski said .

The conversation usually goes something like…
Fragile white person: “White people aren’t the only ones who can be racist, ya know! Black people are racist against whites all the time!”
Progressive black person: “Nope! Black people can’t be racist because racism requires systemic power. Black people simply don’t possess the social capital to be racist.”
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FWP: “WRONG! Wrong, Sir. A nybody can be racist. Just look the word up in the dictionary and you’ll see!”
The Merriam-Webster dictionary has defined racism as “a belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race.” Even that definition somewhat disqualifies black people from being racist since our fight tends to be for equality, not “superiority.” Still, we have often argued that the current definition is far too vague to accurately describe the impact of the only type of racism that really matters—systemic racism.
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Fortunately, one black woman has taken the initiative and emailed Merriam-Webster requesting the official definition of the word be amended to reflect the reality of how racism works and, now, it looks like changes are underway.
According to CNN, 22-year-old Kennedy Mitchum—a Drake University graduate living in Florissant, Mo.—emailed the dictionary’s publishers about making the change last month and was surprised that they responded and agreed to update the entry.
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“I kept having to tell them that definition is not representative of what is actually happening in the world,” Mitchum told CNN. “The way that racism occurs in real life is not just prejudice; it’s the systemic racism that is happening for a lot of black Americans.”
From CNN:
Mitchum said she sent her email on a Thursday night and got a reply from editor Alex Chambers the next morning. After a few emails, Chambers agreed that the entry should be updated and said a new definition is being drafted. “This revision would not have been made without your persistence in contacting us about this problem,” Chambers said in the email, which was provided to CNN. “We sincerely thank you for repeatedly writing in and apologize for the harm and offense we have caused in failing to address this issue sooner.”
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Mitchum said she was “super happy because I really felt like that was a step in a good direction for a lot of positive change for a lot of different positive conversations that can really help change the world and helps change how people view things.”
Merriam-Webster editor Peter Sokolowski pointed out to CNN that they also define racism as “a doctrine or political program based on the assumption of racism and designed to execute its principles” and “a political or social system founded on racism,” but he agreed that “we can express this more clearly to bring the idea of an asymmetrical power structure into the language of this definition.”
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Sokolowski noted that updates are made to dictionary entries two or three times a year and, while definitions used to be kept short so they could fit in printed editions, that’s no longer the case now that so many people use online dictionaries.
“The mission for [Noah] Webster himself, you know, back in his first dictionary in 1806, was to essentially present the current active vocabulary of American English and that’s still our mission today,” Sokolowski said.


theroot--2020-06-10--Take Bomb Selfies With This Trendy, $48 Ring Light

If you ’ re looking for a way to upgrade your selfies and YouTube tutorials , look no further than @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s only $ 48 and has three different light temperatures to really get @ @ @ @ @ .
It can easily fit your iPhone or Andriod phone , and allows you to @ @ @ @ @ perfect for your angles .
Grab it before it ’ s gone !

Selfie Ring Light | $48 | Amazon
If you’re looking for a way to upgrade your selfies and YouTube tutorials, look no further than this selfie ring light. It’s only $48 and has three different light temperatures to really get your skin tone to shine. It can easily fit your iPhone or Andriod phone, and allows you to wirelessly take photos that are perfect for your angles. Grab it before it’s gone!