Roland Martin, Michaela Angela Davis Discuss Essence’s Controversial New Hire (VIDEO)

Absolutely,Kudos to Essence for being in the forefront of diversity. But really, do they need it? What does that even mean? I'd like to address the bigger employers with more dominant brands that are really having a problem with diversity and it isn't Essence. The bigger issue is the industry but in the meantime, there are black women who need to feed their families. Vogue is not about to be shamed into hiring a black person simply because Essence hired a white woman. I wish I could say that the new editor had worked her way up for up the ranks for years. I'd never advocate someone getting passed over, but a freelancer for 6 months. I can't even make the argument.

Thanks for this post. Most important? Intelligent discussion of the larger issue. Inclusion.

Thanks to Michaela Angela Davis & Roland Martin for that. I always enjoy hearing them speak on relevant issues.

What is the 'value' in hiring a white fashion editor. Did you even search for the best African American. How many African Americans women/men are waiting for this opportunity for so long.The Europeans have monopolized the fashion industry/runway and magazines for century and because we are in a So Called New Era, then Find a New Era African American. Why do African Americans at the Top of their industry 'always end up giving it over to Whites' How long did it take you to get where you are.

What difference does it make the color of the person's skin? This is a stupid argument and she should be ashamed for even making it an issue. I don't care if the mag says it caters to purple people, they can hire whomever they want. Whether this woman freelanced for them for 6 months or 6 years they considered her to be qualified for the position. This shouldn't even be an issue nowadays. I think this makes her look like a racist and stupid, I don't care how Michela tries to paint the picture.

UGH. Michaela is so damn dramatic about everything that she can't see past her short sighted vision on this topic.Her argument and excuses make no sense to me. The vast majority of the subscribers to Honey when it existed was black women. She wants to play with words and say it's was an urban mag now??? Get outta here! She denied to Anderson that she wouldn't have a problem w/Town & Country justifying hiring white editors after finding out the vast majority of their readers are white? Again get outta her! She DOES have a problem with it (not Town & Country in particular, but general mags w/majority white readers) because she's SAID it before!!! Fighting racism with racism is a lose lose situation for everyone.