Do Not Claim To Be All About Diversity and Then Silence Diverse Voices
So in case you haven't seen lately, there's some controversy surrounding cosmetics company L'Oreal and they're recent firing of transgender woman of color Munro Bergdorf for her since deleted comments on Facebook about white privilege. Understandably it pissed a lot of people off, myself included.
Now the Facebook post was only speaking about Bergdorf's views on white privilege and the responsibility of non POC's to be open to discussion and to accept that they have a certain level of high ground when it comes to status, safety, and sense of self. Also that there's a layer of casual racism that comes across unintentionally that they need to be more aware of. But all L'Oreal could see was an angry person of color ranting against white people so they sacked her.
In a statement they spoke of them being "Champions of diversity" and stated that Munroe didn't align with those views. Now, putting aside the utter BS of that statement; let me point this out: Still employed is singer Cheryl Cole whom in 2003 was arrested for assaulting a black bathroom attendant. So, how can they blow horns and pat themselves on the back for being championing diversity when they not only silence the voices of people of color but hire people who have a checkered pasts such as Ms. Cole?
I mean, can you really be a proponent of diversity and equality when you don't even value the opinions of diverse individuals? When you fire them for speaking out against inequality and racism. When you make it clear that the only way you'll allow diversity is if it's quiet and complicit. If it doesn't rock the boat.
If you want my opinion, and I'm sure L'Oreal doesn't but oh well, that's not a real champion of diversity.
Now the Facebook post was only speaking about Bergdorf's views on white privilege and the responsibility of non POC's to be open to discussion and to accept that they have a certain level of high ground when it comes to status, safety, and sense of self. Also that there's a layer of casual racism that comes across unintentionally that they need to be more aware of. But all L'Oreal could see was an angry person of color ranting against white people so they sacked her.
In a statement they spoke of them being "Champions of diversity" and stated that Munroe didn't align with those views. Now, putting aside the utter BS of that statement; let me point this out: Still employed is singer Cheryl Cole whom in 2003 was arrested for assaulting a black bathroom attendant. So, how can they blow horns and pat themselves on the back for being championing diversity when they not only silence the voices of people of color but hire people who have a checkered pasts such as Ms. Cole?
I mean, can you really be a proponent of diversity and equality when you don't even value the opinions of diverse individuals? When you fire them for speaking out against inequality and racism. When you make it clear that the only way you'll allow diversity is if it's quiet and complicit. If it doesn't rock the boat.
If you want my opinion, and I'm sure L'Oreal doesn't but oh well, that's not a real champion of diversity.
Comments
Post a Comment