Essence Magazine is taking a lot of heat after it was discovered that their new Fashion Director Ellianna Placas is not African-American, but rather Caucasian. Placas, who previously worked at US Weekly and O, The Oprah Magazine is set to start her new gig in September but a lot of people are up in arms over the decision to hire someone who although being qualified is not African-American. Even former Honey Magazine editor Michaela Angela Davis tweeted her disapproval stating, "Its with a heavy heavy heart I have learned that Essence magazine has engaged a white fashion director, this hurts, literally, spiritually." She then went on to elaborate further on facebook, "If there were balance in the industry; if we didn't have a history of being ignored and disrespected; if more mainstream fashion media included people of color before the ONE magazine dedicated to black women "diversified", it would feel different". Davis definitely has a point about mainstream fashion outlests not being satisfactorily diversified, but that shouldn't be the reason why a publication geared towards African-American women can't hire a white woman to be its Fashion Director. Fashion is a global indulgence and for the most part is virtually color blind. Having a classic sense of style or an addiction to designer labels is not limited to women of a certain race or creed. Besides, Essence is in dire need of a change. And if Ellianna Placas is the right woman for the job, then I say Kudos to her! and Kudos to Essence! for making a sensible decision rather than a racial one.
