Like most people, I would assume, I have my prescribed list of shows that I love. That I’ll carve out time to watch, that I anxiously wonder if I’ve missed some new, interesting development. So a lot of new shows don’t make it onto my reader, unless through recommendation. So I had no idea that E! had launched a new reality show “So Cosmo.”
As the name suggests, it follows the ins and outs of life working for Cosmopolitan magazine. I don’t have to tell you that the magazine industry is not exactly known for diversity. In fact, it’s been an issue. This show is a reflection of that. And one of (perhaps) two Black women on the cast, Tiffany Reid, an African-American fashion editor for the team had to speak about a diversity in a recent episode.
In a meeting with her boss editor-in-chief Joanna Coales, Reid explained why she felt uncomfortable with designer Philip Plein’s Alice In Ghetto Land fashion show in Milan, Italy.
The show featured models dressed in denim, wearing gold chains and carrying boom boxes.
“There was some controversy with what he titled the show. It’s a beautiful show, very entertaining but he called it Alice In Ghetto Land.”
Her boss asks her if it made her feel uncomfortable.
Reid responds, “Yeah. I mean there’s a thin line between drawing from a certain culture and cultural appropriation. So it’s kind of conflicting for me where I need to be responsible for who I am as a Black woman in this industry but also understanding that they’re artists and so they have every right to express themselves the way they want to.”
Her boss’s response made me feel a bit uneasy at first speaking about art and intention and even the designer’s nationality. She mentioned that because he was German he might not have understood the nuance.
Tiffany responded perfectly.
“It’s just a matter of being more careful about it. As an artist, you can draw from whatever inspiration you want to but I think that you have to do it responsibly and in a way where you’re not perpetuating any damaging stereotypes.”
Finally, her boss acknowledges that words matter.
There you go, Joanna. Step into the light.
I’m well aware that this could have very well been entirely staged for the purpose of adding some type of racial conflict to a reality show. And that’s alright. That’s how these shows work. Still, I think it’s quite the lesson in how to address the daily racially tense issues that spring up often in our work places.
In this instance, her boss was willing to have a conversation regarding her feelings but even if that isn’t your story, we could all learn a lesson or two from Tiffany in the way she handled this interaction. She clearly described the issue, explained her feelings and whether or not the conversation penetrated her boss’s conversation or not, the fact that she spoke up and didn’t stay silent in the face of some foolishness is valuable especially when it’s a conversation shared on national television.
Image via E!
Veronica Wells is the culture editor at MadameNoire.com. She is also the author of “Bettah Days.” You can follow her on Facebook and Twitter @VDubShrug.
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