Start writing a post

Why Alexi McCammond’s resignation from Teen Vogue is an important reminder to us all

Alexi McCammond, the would-be Teen Vogue editor-in-chief, is stepping down. And it makes sense.

Why Alexi McCammond’s resignation from Teen Vogue is an important reminder to us all

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - OCTOBER 27: Alexi McCammond attends day 2 of Politicon 2019 at Music City Center on October 27, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee.

Photo by Ed Rode/Getty Images for Politicon

Since the pandemic started, many instances of Asian hate and blame have occurred throughout the year. This week, with the San Francisco attack on an elderly Asian woman and the Atlanta rampage that claimed the lives of Asian women at three spas, it seems to be getting worse.

Now, Alexi McCammond, the would-be Teen Vogue editor-in-chief, is stepping down. And it makes sense.


She hadn't even officially started her role, but she already faced backlash for her decade-old anti-Asian tweets.

McCammond mocked Asians on Twitter, and recently, controversy erupted at Condé Nast over hiring the former Axios political reporter, given her past and the social climate that we're in.

In 2011, she tweeted, "Outdone by Asian" and "now googling how to not wake up with swollen asian eyes…." and "give me a 2/10 on my chem problem, cross out all of my work and don't explain what I did wrong…. thanks a lot, stupid Asian T.A. you're great."

(*Shakes head slowly and sighs*).

The Atlanta shooting and San Fran attack are more examples of how real racism is for Asian-American womenconversations.indy100.com

When someone posted the 2011 tweets on Instagram over the weekend, the public was rightfully appalled. Some people said that she was a teenager at the time, so these tweets shouldn't be held against her, especially if she had learned her lesson.

Others said that the racist nature should prevent her from obtaining the role no matter what.

I don't think she should get a pass because she was 17-years-old. She was still old enough to know better and not say things like that, even if it was a poor attempt at a joke or anger in particular situations.

I'll never forget when I was a young girl, and a classmate of mine blatantly said to my face that he didn't like n******. The way he said it was so nonchalant as well, almost as if it was a normal thing to say to someone.

It is unacceptable to make comments about a group of people because of the way they appear. It is incredibly disheartening since McCammond also happens to be a woman of color.

According to The Daily Beast, McCammond sent a note to her new colleagues on Monday, apologizing and expressing remorse for the course of events.

However, on Thursday, she tweeted that she decided to part ways with con nest along with her reasoning.

"I should not have tweeted what I did and I have taken full responsibility for that," the statement read in part. "I look at my work and growth in the years since, and have redoubled my commitment to growing in the years to come as both a person and as a professional."

Very true. She shouldn't have tweeted insensitive comments in the first place.

Even before that, fellow staff members had written a letter to management questioning her hire for the tweets and other reasons, The Daily Beast reported.

McCammond's resignation comes just two days after the calculated gunman shot up three Atlanta spas that killed eight people, six of them being Asian women.

Ultimately, this is a cautionary tale of how much words have weight. So, be careful what you say or put online. It may resurface.

Do you have something to say about this topic? Sign up to submit a post today!

Can tech help female entrepreneurs break the bias?

Women founders continue to come up against common challenges and biases - solving this problem is bigger than supporting women, it’s about supporting the national economy.

Can tech help female entrepreneurs break the bias?

Women founders continue to come up against common challenges and biases

Written by Kelly Devine, Division President UK & Ireland, Mastercard

Starting a business may have historically been perceived as a man’s game, but this couldn’t be further from reality. Research shows women are actually more likely than men to actively choose to start their own business – often motivated by the desire to be their own boss or to have a better work-life balance and spend more time with their family.

Keep reading...Show less

How am I doing as a parent?

Evaluating yourself is hard. It's even harder when attempting to assess your parenting because there's no set guide and nothing to count, measure, or quantify.

How am I doing as a parent?
Mum of two, bar manager, and lover of wine. And tequila.
https://twitter.com/Moonfacemum

Some time ago, I met my lovely friend for a drink, straight off the train from London. She told me about a very intense performance review she had at work recently, which, although scary, was incredibly useful; it gave her a general sense of how she was doing and areas to work on.

And it struck me we don't get this feedback as parents. Am I doing a good job? I have no idea.

Keep reading...Show less
#StartTheConversation by joining us on
x

Join our new platform for free and your post can reach a huge audience on Indy100 and The Independent join