L’oreal is under fire for dropping their first-ever transgender model, Munroe Bergdorf. Bergdorf’s outspoken rant on Facebook led to intense uproar and controversy, causing the company to question their newly arranged partnership with her. Bergdorf was advocating for racial equality and making an attempt to educate the ignorant on systemic racism. L’oreal justified their reasoning behind firing her, claiming they “support diversity and tolerance towards all people irrespective of their race, background, gender and religion.” They added: “We believe that the recent comments by Munroe Bergdorf are at odds with those values, and as such we have taken the decision to end the partnership with her.” The hypocrisy of it all had myself and many others dumbfounded.
Bergdorf first joined L’oreal’s diversity campaign, making an excellent addition to the team as an African-American transgender woman. Voted 2017’s #8 most influential LGBT person in the United Kingdom, she has an extensive history of activism and advocating for minorities. However, it took L’oreal just under a week to pull the plug on her position.
Bergdorf, in a head-turning Facebook rant, explained how western society is a system that is rooted in racism. In her words, white people are conditioned to become racist throughout their lives, as the world they are born in supposedly caters to them, prioritizing their health, career, and overall addition to society. Understandably, many found themselves both angered and confused by her straight-forward speech. Bergdorf is frills-free and has no time for your tears.
Bergdorf first joined L’oreal’s diversity campaign, making an excellent addition to the team as an African-American transgender woman. Voted 2017’s #8 most influential LGBT person in the United Kingdom, she has an extensive history of activism and advocating for minorities. However, it took L’oreal just under a week to pull the plug on her position.
Bergdorf, in a head-turning Facebook rant, explained how western society is a system that is rooted in racism. In her words, white people are conditioned to become racist throughout their lives, as the world they are born in supposedly caters to them, prioritizing their health, career, and overall addition to society. Understandably, many found themselves both angered and confused by her straight-forward speech. Bergdorf is frills-free and has no time for your tears.
Although she shares a complicated and complex point-of-view, it stems from the truth and is evidenced by the world around us. People of color are reported to live in poorer neighborhoods than their white counterparts, despite earning comparable incomes, as evidenced through research conducted by Brown University. It has also been proven that black people are 2.5 times more likely to be shot and killed by the police than white people, which is likely an effect of racial profiling.
In more recent days, several public figures have come forward in an effort to defend Bergdorf. Model Clara Amfo requested she be removed from the campaign, quitting her L’oreal gig in solidarity with Bergdorf. It’s also safe to say that she has an immense amount of support on Twitter- and as Rihanna’s new makeup line emerges, many users have begun suggesting Bergdorf become a representative for Fenty Beauty. However, it didn’t take long for Illamasqua, L’oreal’s rival beauty brand, to admire her bold character and bring her aboard their modeling campaign. Contrary to L’oreal, they viewed Bergdorf’s statements as innovative and hope to support her in her goals to change the way society views and recognizes racism.
In more recent days, several public figures have come forward in an effort to defend Bergdorf. Model Clara Amfo requested she be removed from the campaign, quitting her L’oreal gig in solidarity with Bergdorf. It’s also safe to say that she has an immense amount of support on Twitter- and as Rihanna’s new makeup line emerges, many users have begun suggesting Bergdorf become a representative for Fenty Beauty. However, it didn’t take long for Illamasqua, L’oreal’s rival beauty brand, to admire her bold character and bring her aboard their modeling campaign. Contrary to L’oreal, they viewed Bergdorf’s statements as innovative and hope to support her in her goals to change the way society views and recognizes racism.
Upon first hearing Bergdorf’s claims, I misinterpreted her message and was hurt by the blunt accusations. However, further analysis led me to a general understanding of exactly what she means when she says “white people are racist by nature”. I’ve come to realize that she views racism as a set of unacknowledged privileges granted to people of a lighter complexion, rather than a series of intentional acts to further segregate or promote the idea of white superiority. By failing to recognizing your position in society and the privileges that benefit from the moment of your birth, you inadvertently contribute to the racial divide.
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"By failing to recognizing your position in society and the privileges that benefit from the moment of your birth, you inadvertently contribute to the racial divide."
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