Blackhair Magazine, a bi-monthly publication that focuses on black women and their beauty, is at the center of controversy this week after the magazine accidentally featured a white woman on its December/January cover.
Unsurprisingly, the magazine has a longstanding policy that their models must be "of black or mixed-race heritage." Additionally, many of their models have curly textured hair. Although the cover star had natural and voluminous locks, she appeared to be white. Readers' suspicions were quickly proven right after the model on the cover was later identified as Emily Bador, who identifies as white and Malaysian, according to The Daily Dot.
After countless readers took to social media to express their outrage with the 'appropriated' cover, Bador promptly hopped on Instagram on Monday to explain her part in the incident. In her lengthy post, the model apologized for allowing her portrait to be among the magazine's selection of cover images to choose from, explaining that at the time of the photo shoot she was ignorant of the meaning of cultural appropriation. "I would deeply and sincerely like to apologize to every one for this, and black women especially," Bador wrote beneath an image of the magazine. "I would like to clarify, I believe this shoot is from when I was around 15 and didn't understand cultural appropriation or the impact it has on POC."
Bador continued her heartfelt note, commenting on her own upbringing and her understanding of Eurocentric beauty standards. She also admitted that she regretted taking the job, saying "I hold up my hands, I'm so so so sorry and I'm very sorry this cover was taken away from a black woman." "I'm upset and angry I was never asked by the photographer/hair salon/anyone if this image could be used for the cover Blackhair," she added.
Blackhair editor Keysha Davis also came forward to issue an apology for the inappropriate cover. "We are keenly aware of how black women are underrepresented in the mainstream media and the last thing we want to do is add to our erasure," she said in a brief statement on Facebook. Davis also explained that the PR staff was unaware of Bador's racial identity prior to selecting her to cover the magazine. "We were obviously not aware of this prior to selecting the image," she said. "We often ask PR companies/salons to submit images for the magazine, specifically stating that models must be Black or mixed race."
Still, the damage had already been done, and many upset fans voiced their concerns and frustrations on Twitter. Despite readers' demands, the magazine has not stated whether they will recall the magazine, though it is unlikely.
