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Munroe Bergdorf is working with L’Oreal
Paris again, almost three years after she was sacked by the makeup giant for a
Facebook post about racism.
The cosmetics company cut ties with the transgender model over her comments about “the racial violence of white people”, saying they were “at odds” with the brand’s values of “diversity and tolerance towards all people irrespective of their race, background, gender and religion”.
The company recently came under
fire when it made a statement in support of the Black Lives Matter movement, with Bergdorf tweeting: “Excuse my language but I am SO angry. F*** YOU @lorealparis.
“You dropped me from a campaign in 2017 and threw me to the wolves for speaking out about
racism and white supremacy. With no duty of care, without a second thought.
“I said yesterday that it would only be a matter of time before RACIST AF brands saw a window of PR Opportunity. F*** you. F*** your ‘solidarity’. Where was my support when I spoke out? I’m disgusted and writing this in floods of tears. If you care about me or #blacklivesmatter, don’t let @lorealparis get away with this.”
Bergdorf said the brand’s new president, Delphine Viguier, had apologised to her for the way the situation was handled and invited her to sit on the company’s
UK Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board.Related... My Pride Anthems: Munroe Bergdorf Reveals The Life Lessons She Learned From Britney Spears In a post on Instagram, Bergdorf wrote: “As an activist, part of my work is to encourage big businesses to understand their responsibility with regards to diversity and inclusion.
“It’s imperative that in all industries, a wide range of people from different backgrounds and experiences are in the room at all levels and in decision making roles, to reduce oversight and to create a product that is built with all people in mind.”
She added: “I believe in accountability and progress, not cancellation and grudges. While what happened three years ago was extremely traumatic for me personally and professionally, sitting on a board to provide a voice and a champion for black, trans and queer voices in the beauty industry is important for me.”
“It feels good to finally have closure on this matter and I look forward to new beginnings with the L’Oreal team.”I have spoken with @loreal, please swipe for full statement.Thank you everyone for having my back with this matter over the past three years, it hasn't been easy. Looking forward to new beginnings and a new positive relationship with the L'Oreal team.Munroe x pic.twitter.com/DxltLF8Z7j— Black Lives Matter ✊🏾 (@MunroeBergdorf) June 9, 2020A statement by Viguier, shared on the L’Oreal Paris
Instagram page, said: “I had an honest, transparent and vulnerable conversation with Munroe Bergdorf. We listened to each other and shared our feelings and perspectives on the situation with open hearts and minds. It was a powerful moment of human connection.
“Here is what I heard from her: 3 years ago, Munroe felt silenced by a brand, L’Oreal Paris, that had the power to amplify her voice.
“While we both agree today that negative labels should not be used to define all individuals in any group, I understand much better the pain and trauma that were behind Munroe’s words back then and the urgency she felt to speak in defence of the Black community against systemic racism. I regret the lack of dialogue and support the company showed Munroe around the time of the termination. We should have also done more to create a conversation for change as we are now doing.
“We support Munroe’s fight against systemic racism and as a company we are committed to work to dismantle such systems.”
As well as forming the advisory board, she said the company will also honour Bergdorf’s advocacy for the trans and Black communities by donating to causes that support social justice and are personal to her experience, adding: “Speaking out is worth it, only if we are able to listen, learn and grow.
“We all want to contribute to a society in which everyone can live safely, peacefully and equally, and that begins with repairing relationships and moving forward together. I thank @munroebergdorf for her willingness to do this.”Related... Louder For The People At The Back! Trans Rights Don’t Come At The Expense Of Others Munroe Bergdorf's Must-Haves: Mac Studio Fix Foundation And Cocoa Butter Daniel Radcliffe Supports Trans Community Following JK Rowling Tweets: 'I Feel Compelled To Say Something'