Black Twitter has been applying pressure on these predominantly white corporations amid the outcry for racial equality since the death of George Floyd.
Black creatives launched the #VogueChallenge to highlight the lack of Black models and photographers at the magazine.
I’m late, can I join the party ? #VogueChallenge pic.twitter.com/wKzQdoJ7Cs
—
(@ryandouky) June 10, 2020
One of my followers made a #voguechallenge for me y’all
pic.twitter.com/dcpKoOF4Vu
— real real goood (@queen_yacinee) June 10, 2020
Many Twitter users criticized the challenge and called it senseless but it clearly caught the attention of Anna Wintour who has been the Editor-In-Chief for 30 years and admittedly hasn’t made an effort to make more space for non-white employees.
“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. 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. 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. We have made mistakes too, publishing images or stories that have been hurtful or intolerant. I take full responsibility for those mistakes.”
The 70-year-old continued, “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. 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. 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.”
Anna Wintour ended her statement vowing to make an immediate change and announcing it. “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.”
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