New Delhi: Anna Wintour, the editor-in-chief of US Vogue, has issued an apology for running “hurtful and intolerant” stories, and for not giving enough opportunities to African-American artists in the fashion magazine.
Her message was circulated as a company-wide memo on 4 June and comes at a time when protests have rocked cities across the US after the killing of African-American George Floyd, by the Minneapolis Police.
Wintour apologised to her co-workers for the abysmal representation of Black individuals at Vogue during her 32-year-long tenure.
“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,” she wrote in the memo.
Wintour also acknowledged that she had been remiss in creating a safe working environment for the African-American employees.
“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,” she said.
“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,” added Wintour.
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Several US media organisations called out
Several media organisations in the US have been called out for the lack of opportunities, as well as the toxicity inherent in workplaces against people of colour.
Earlier this week, the Editor-in-Chief of the popular Condé Nast food magazine Bon Appetit Adam Rapoport stepped down from his position after images of him sporting a brownface emerged. To compound his problems further, Bon Appetit employees came forward alleging unfair treatment of people of colour at the organisation.
After Rapoport stepped down, Condé Nast released a small two-part statement on Twitter saying, “As a global media company, Condé Nast is dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. We have a zero-tolerance policy toward discrimination and harassment in any forms.”
Similarly, lifestyle website Refinery29’s editor Christene Barberich also stepped down after allegations of racial discrimination in the company.
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