L'Oreal's sacking of transgender model Munroe Bargdorf prompts online backlash
Critics accuse L'Oreal of paying lip-service to diversity for commercial gain

L'Oreal's decision to fire Munroe Bargdorf - the cosmetics company's first transgender model - just days after making her a brand ambassador has been criticised as an attempt to silence anti-racism activism.
The beauty giant dismissed Bargdorf after reports surfaced on Friday of a Facebook post in which she allegedly described "all white people" as racist, reports BBC Newsbeat.
According to The Daily Telegraph, the post, which has since been deleted, referred to the "entire existence [of white people] being drenched in racism", which is "inherited and... passed down through privilege".
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
L'Oreal's response was to fire Bargdorf, arguing that her comments were "at odds" with the brand's values, including its promotion of diversity:
The move has been met with incredulity online, where critics have defended Bargdorf's comments as an attempt to highlight systematic racism:
Bargdorf, a Londoner with Jamaican heritage, has also denied making a "racist rant". The 29-year-old took to Facebook to explain that her previous comments were made in response to the killing of an anti-racist protester in Charlottesville.
She claimed they were aimed at "western society as a whole" - a "system rooted in white supremacy" which is "designed to benefit, prioritise and protect white people before anyone of any other race."
While her original remarks were labelled offensive by some commentators, including presenter Piers Morgan, increasing numbers are declaring their support for Bargdorf, including Radio 1 DJ and former L'Oreal ambassador, Clara Amfo:
The #IStandWithMunroe movement could lead to a consumer boycott of L'Oreal, says Marketing Week, as the sincerity of the brand's diversity message is called into question.
Writing in The Independent, student activist Otamere Guobadia said: "[L'Oreal] wanted Munroe's transness, her blackness, her womanhood and all of the glory and the capital gain of her 'diversity' with none of the corollary activism and resistance that comes with her identity."
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
The Pam Bondi and Dan Bongino schism threatens Trump's DOJ
In the Spotlight Two MAGA partisans find themselves on either end of a growing scandal over Jeffrey Epstein and his ties to White House officials
-
8 ways Trump's bill will change your taxes
The Explainer The 'big beautiful bill' was recently signed into law. Here's what it might mean for your wallet.
-
One great cookbook: 'The Cook You Want to Be'
The Week Recommends And the way you want to eat — now
-
One year after mass protests, why are Kenyans taking to the streets again?
today's big question More than 60 protesters died during demonstrations in 2024
-
What happens if tensions between India and Pakistan boil over?
TODAY'S BIG QUESTION As the two nuclear-armed neighbors rattle their sabers in the wake of a terrorist attack on the contested Kashmir region, experts worry that the worst might be yet to come
-
Why Russia removed the Taliban's terrorist designation
The Explainer Russia had designated the Taliban as a terrorist group over 20 years ago
-
Inside the Israel-Turkey geopolitical dance across Syria
THE EXPLAINER As Syria struggles in the wake of the Assad regime's collapse, its neighbors are carefully coordinating to avoid potential military confrontations
-
'Like a sound from hell': Serbia and sonic weapons
The Explainer Half a million people sign petition alleging Serbian police used an illegal 'sound cannon' to disrupt anti-government protests
-
The arrest of the Philippines' former president leaves the country's drug war in disarray
In the Spotlight Rodrigo Duterte was arrested by the ICC earlier this month
-
Ukrainian election: who could replace Zelenskyy?
The Explainer Donald Trump's 'dictator' jibe raises pressure on Ukraine to the polls while the country is under martial law
-
Why Serbian protesters set off smoke bombs in parliament
THE EXPLAINER Ongoing anti-corruption protests erupted into full view this week as Serbian protesters threw the country's legislature into chaos