From Twitter
Teen Vogue staffers Monday released a letter protesting the hire of Alexi McCammond as the publications new editor in chief.
In recent days, an article published on AsAmNews in 2019 about McCammond’s past anti-Asian tweets began to trend.
In 2011, McCammond ridiculed an Asian teacher assistant on social media after that TA gave her demerits for her work on a chem problem.
She also made comments about not waking up with “swollen Asian eyes,” being “outdone by Asian #Whatsnew,” and comparing someone to an “old Asian woman…lololol.”
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McCammond apologized for those past tweets and deleted them.
“Today I was reminded of some past insensitive tweets, and I am deeply sorry to anyone I offended,” McCammond said in 2019 of her posts. “I have since deleted those tweets as they do not reflect my views or who I am today,” she said in 2019.
In their letter to the management of Conde Nast, Teen Vogue’s parent company, the Grio reports they called out McCammond’s past anti-Asian and homophobic tweets.
“As more than 20 members of the staff of Teen Vogue, we’ve built our outlet’s reputation as a voice for justice and change—we take immense pride in our work and in creating an inclusive environment. That’s why we have written a letter to management at Condé Nast about the recent hire of Alexi McCammond as our new editor-in-chief in light of her past racist and homophobic tweets,” the staffers wrote.
“We’ve heard the concerns of our readers, and we stand with you. In a moment of historically high anti-Asian violence and amid the on-going struggles of the LGBTQ community, we as the staff of Teen Vogue fully reject those sentiments. We are hopeful that an internal conversation will prove fruitful in maintaining the integrity granted to us by our audience.”
Others have also protested the hire including Diana Tsui, editorial director of recommendations at The Infatuation.
Conde Nast Communications Officer Joe Libonati sent CNN Business the following statement.
“Alexi McCammond was appointed editor-in-chief of Teen Vogue because of the values, inclusivity and depth she has displayed through her journalism,” Libonati wrote in an email. “Throughout her career she has dedicated herself to being a champion for marginalized voices. Two years ago she took responsibility for her social media history and apologized.”
CNN also reports that McCammond apologized for her past tweets to Teen Vogue staff on Monday.
“I’m beyond sorry for what you have experienced over the last twenty-four hours because of me. You’ve seen some offensive, idiotic tweets from when I was a teenager that perpetuated harmful and racist stereotypes about Asian Americans. I apologized for them years ago, but I want to be clear today: I apologize deeply to all of you for the pain this has caused. There’s no excuse for language like that.” I want you to know I am committed to amplifying AAPI voices across our platforms, and building upon the groundbreaking, inclusive work this title is known for the worldover.”
Conde Nast has been involved in other diversity controversies of late. Adam Rapoport resigned as Editor in Chief of Bon Appetit over an alleged discriminatory culture at the magazine.
The Chief Content Officer at Vogue has admitted the publication made mistakes that were “hurtful and intolerant” to Black creators. She took full responsibility.
Conde Nast has since hired its first diversity and inclusion officer.
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