Readers blame Essence magazine for hiring a white editor

Angela Burt-Murray, Editor-in-Chief of Essence Magazine

Essence magazine created a controversy in the US this week by appointing Elliana Placas as its new Fashion Director. Why is the debate so intense? Because Elliana is white and is about to take a lead role on one of the biggest lifestyle magazines for black women.

Michaela Angela Davis, founding Fashion Director of Vibe magazine, wrote on Twitter: “It is with a heavy heavy heart I have learned that Essence magazine has engaged a white fashion director, this hurts, literally, spiritually.” She also said: "I feel like a girlfriend has died.”

Angela Burt-Murray, Editor-in-Chief of Essence magazine, defended her choice based on competencies: "I got to see firsthand [Placas'] creativity, her vision, the positive reader response to her work, and her enthusiasm and respect for the audience and our brand."

Writer Joan Morgan disagrees with Burt-Murray's choice because in her view, the publishing industry doesn't give enough opportunities to black writers:

"This is about the fact that the publishing industry, particularly when it comes to mainstream women's magazines remains just about as segregated in its hiring practices as it did in 1988."

"When these same institutions start to employ hiring practices that allow Black publishing professionals the same access to their publications, that's when I can get all 'Kumbaya' about Essence's new fashion director."

Essence cover, January 2009