L’Oreal faces backlash after firing transgender model for standing up against racism three years ago

Transgender model Munroe Bergdorf was fired three years ago for her comments on systemic racism which caused L’Oreal to fire her. Now, they are hoping she works with them again.

What We Know:

  • In 2017, the billionaire fashion empire cut ties with transgender model Munroe Bergdorf after making a comment on her Facebook and saying the following: “Honestly I don’t have energy to talk about the racial violence of white people any more. Yes ALL white people”.
  • L’Oreal received backlash from customers that boycotted the products due to the beauty empire not defending the model.
  • Three years later, L’Oreal expressed their support to the Black Lives Matter movement causing Munroe Bergdorf to finally speak out.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CA5MXbdD8ts/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

  • Their comment was not well received by the public and caused the model to say the following:

https://twitter.com/MunroeBergdorf/status/1267460238678069249?s=20

  • Shortly after, the new president of the L’Oreal brand, Delphine Virguier expressed her regret on behalf of the beauty empire and hopes to make amends by having an “open and constructive conversation”.
  • Munroe Bergdorf posted the following statement after her conversation with L’Oreal:

https://twitter.com/MunroeBergdorf/status/1270297538286018560?s=20

  • In her post, she mentioned that L’Oreal would donate $28,000 to various charities such as, Mermaids, a charity that supports transgender youth and UK Black Pride, an LGBTQ organization helping people of color.
  • The model later explained that the opportunity to join the L’Oreal team is very valuable to her. She explained the importance to champion for trans and queer voices in the beauty industry and is hoping to set an example to the community on setting apart their differences and work together to push a much progressive and equal world for all.

The unexpected statements are another example of the outrage in the community of George Floyd’s death. It has caused many companies to recheck their policies on inclusion and enforce policies against the community of color.