Even as the worldwide protests over the murder of George Floyd by a policeman in Minneapolis brought to fore the discrimination faced by marginalised communities and triggered the Black Lives Matter movement, French cosmetics company L'Oreal expressed regret over the sacking of an employee over a comment in 2017.
Black transgender model Munroe Bergdorf was sacked in 2017 after she dubbed white people as racist. “L’Oréal champions diversity. Comments by Munroe Bergdorf are at odds with our values and so we have decided to end our partnership with her,” the firm had written in 2017 when it announced its decision to part ways with Bergdorf.
However, the decision of the company came to fore after it came out with social media post expressing support for the Black Lives Matter movement."L’Oréal Paris stands in solidarity with the Black community, and against injustice of any kind. We are making a commitment to the @naacp to support progress in the fight for justice. #BlackLivesMatter," the firm had written in an Instagram post.
After it faced backlash over its move to extend support to the Black Lives Matter movement, the company announced that Bergdorf has been offered a seat on a newly-formed UK diversity and inclusion advisory board of L’Oréal. The model has accepted the role.
Announcing the decision on Instagram, L’Oreal Paris brand president Delphine Viguier wrote, "I had an honest, transparent and vulnerable conversation with Munroe Bergdorf. We listened to each other and shared our feelings and perspectives on the situation with open hearts and minds. It was a powerful moment of human connection."
Further, Viguier wrote that she understood the pain and trauma Bergdorf faced as she felt silenced by L’Oréal which had the power to amplify her voice. "Here is what I heard from her: 3 years ago, Munroe felt silenced by a brand, L’Oréal Paris, that had the power to amplify her voice. While we both agree today that negative labels should not be used to define all individuals in any group, I understand much better the pain and trauma that were behind Munroe’s words back then and the urgency she felt to speak in defense of the Black community against systemic racism. I regret the lack of dialogue and support the company showed Munroe around the time of the termination. We should have also done more to create a conversation for change as we are now doing."
Viguier also extended support to Bergdorf's fight against systemic racism and said "L’Oréal will be donating to associations that support social justice and causes that are deeply personal to Munroe’s experience."
"We support Munroe's fight against systemic racism and as a company we are committed to work to dismantle such systems."
"Here is how we will move forward: As we stand united in our advocacy against all forms of racism, we will take action together. The L’Oréal Group is forming a UK Diversity & Inclusion Advisory Board of voices inside and outside the company, who will influence and inform our action plan. I have invited Munroe to participate on this Board and thank her for graciously accepting. We will honor Munroe’s advocacy for both the Trans and Black communities. L’Oréal will be donating to associations that support social justice and causes that are deeply personal to Munroe’s experience. Speaking out is worth it, only if we are able to listen, learn and grow."
"We all want to contribute to a society in which everyone can live safely, peacefully and equally, and that begins with repairing relationships and moving forward together. I thank @munroebergdorf for her willingness to do this,” Viguier said.
Accepting the position, Bergdorf wrote: "Feels good to finally have closure on this matter and I look forward to new beginnings with the L'Oreal team."