Alexi McCammond has resigned from her post as Teen Vogue’s editor-in-chief after some questionable social media posts have been brought to light.
In 2011, McCammond made comments on social media that were derogatory in nature about individuals of Asian descent. One tweet asked her followers for advice on how to not have “Asian eyes” after a long night, while another perpetrated stereotypes about Asian individuals’ intelligence, which many found offensive. Indigenous Americans were equally offended months later when McCammond posted a picture of herself wearing a costume that mocked indigenous American culture.
During this time, McCammond also used LGBTQ+-centered slurs on social media. One tweet from 2014 belittled baseball umpire Dale Scott for publicly coming out. Other posts feature McCammond using “gay” as in a derogatory fashion. Comments on other accounts’ posts from this time show McCammond using these slurs on various social media platforms.
When these incidents came to light soon after McCammon was hired, Teen Vogue quickly took action. Within weeks of hiring McCammond, she was fired for insensitivity and unwarranted prejudice. She also blatantly disregarded the company’s mission statement, which promotes inclusivity.
Teen Vogue’s publisher, Condé Nast, publicly released their mission statement. According to their website, Teen Vogue’s mission statement is “We aim to educate, enlighten and empower our audience to create a more inclusive environment (both on-and offline) by amplifying the voices of the unheard, telling stories that normally go untold, and providing resources for teens looking to make a tangible impact in their communities.” When McCammond posted these comments on social media, she proactively spat in the face of the company she tried to head.
Since her termination, McCammond has deleted these posts and published a statement of apology. “I have since deleted these posts, as they no longer reflect who I am or what I believe,” she wrote in a social media post on March 18. McCammond also promised her followers that she would actively try to be more inclusive and respectful of minority groups.
McCammond’s plight is a prime example of why users should censor themselves before posting on social media. As technology advanced in the early 21st century, millions of children were warned to be careful about what they do online because “it stays forever!” With modern technology’s ability to cache data more effectively than ever before, this is especially true. Posts on social media that may be considered controversial can impact hireability as more young adults enter the workforce. While some companies do not approve of “inappropriate” online behavior, such as profanity or posting scantily clad images, discrimination and hate speech is unforgivable.
It is also important to be wary of posting on social media because any given post might be the basis of an opinion someone forms. Posting racist material only shows the public specific examples of bigotry, so an accurate opinion cannot be formed about the poster. Social media users should be their authentic selves online, but it is a good idea to just refrain from posting anything discriminatory.
Photo by Kaily Paddle
