>Dr. Boyce Watkins and Others Respond to the Essense Magazine Controversy

-It seems that the world has grown irritated with Essence Magazine for hiring a new white fashion editor. Michaela Angela Davis, a former employee, has blasted the organization for effectively betraying its constituents with the non-traditional hire. She cites mass discrimination that has historically occurred within the fashion industry and seems disappointed that “our space” no longer belongs to us.

I certainly empathize with Davis’ point. Davis is a strong and direct black woman (I had her on my show), one who has very little tolerance for those who deviate from what she perceives as righteous ideology regarding women and minorities. Her passion for the issues that affect us seems to come from a genuine place, like a black woman who has seen enough and refuses to allow herself or anyone like her to be victimized by a clearly racist and sexist society.

With that said, here are some questions I have about Essence Magazine’s decision to hire a white fashion editor:

Also weighing in on the controversy is blogger Lola Adesioye of the Grio.

-The furor over Essence magazine’s hiring of a white fashion editor is shortsighted and disheartening on so many levels.