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It looks like Ebony Magazine’s legacy in the Black community may be in jeopardy, with a resurgence of backlash that’s morphed into another protest hashtag.
This week, thousands of fans took part in the viral #EbonyChallenge where they were asked to look up what cover of the publication was in circulation during the exact year and month of their birth.
While many took part in the fun trip down memory lane, several journalists and Black media groups were quick to use the counter hashtag #EbonyStillOwes to remind the public about Ebony’s history of not paying its writers.
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According to the Chicago Tribune, in February, Ebony agreed to pay dozens of freelancers nearly $80,000 to settle a lawsuit over unpaid work stretching back more than two years. Yet 10 months later most of those writers have still not been paid.
“I can’t in good conscience play the @EBONYMag birthday cover “game” that seems to be flooding social media,” writes NABJDigital. “I refuse to support a publication that still owes writers tens of thousands of dollars for published work going back to 2016. #EbonyStillOwes #PayTheWriters”
Twitter user @KiaSpeaks just initiated the #EBONYChallenge & we are here for it! She used her birthday month & year & matched with one of our legendary covers! It was the Nov. ’81 issue featuring music icon Diana Ross! What’s your Born Day EBONY Cover!? https://t.co/wDoqGQfVxU
— EBONY MAGAZINE (@EBONYMag) November 25, 2018
Several industry veterans have spoken up about the way Black writers have been treated at the magazine. But in the midst of this backlash, rather than respond, the publication has instead focused on preparing for its Power 100 List gala, an event meant to celebrate the most inspiring and influential leaders of color who are impacting and shaping our world.
“The EBONY Power 100 list is comprised of all-star individuals from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines who possess an incredible and innate passion for innovation, culture and community leadership,” EBONY Media Operations CEO Michael Gibson, recently told Forbes. “The same values that have driven the EBONY brand for nearly 75 years.”
One 2018 influencer whose invite seemed to have gotten lost in the mail is Mari Copeny, an industrious 11-year-old who is known as “Little Miss Flint.” She has gained national attention for launching a campaign to provide free bottled water for Flint residents impacted by their ongoing water crisis. Her Pack Your Back charity is dedicated to improving the quality of life for Flint children.
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“After receiving 24k votes and being the #2018EbonyPower100 people’s choice award winner @EBONYMag has told me the Gala is not ‘open to the public’,” the disappointed young activist shared with her followers on Monday. “Shout out to everyone who voted for me, I was really excited about this, maybe next year I’ll actually make it onto the real list.”
This immediately outraged her supporters who started flooding Ebony’s mentions with demands that Copeny be allowed to attend the gala which takes place this Friday in Los Angeles.
“@EBONYMag if you don’t allow @LittleMissFlint to experience this event, after winning and carrying Flint on her back for years, this will go down as one of the biggest snubs of the year. It’s all about empowering the youth to impact the future,” warned one reader.
But media personality Jawn Murray thinks we should all put the publication on a time out until they do right by the contributors who have kept it afloat for so long.
“As a former freelance writer, I find it deplorable that @EBONYmag STILL OWES writers thousands of dollars & instead of paying them, they’re planning galas & such,” Murray tweeted. “I stand with those that #EbonyStillOwes & there should be no #EbonyGala until the writers are Paid In Full! #Ebony”
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After receiving 24k votes and being the #2018EbonyPower100 people’s choice award winner @EBONYMag has told me the Gala is not “open to the public”. Shout out to everyone who voted for me, I was really excited about this, maybe next year I’ll actually make it onto the real list. pic.twitter.com/FLHaCXM7PA
— Mari Copeny (@LittleMissFlint) November 26, 2018
As a former freelance writer, I find it deplorable that @EBONYmag STILL OWES writers thousands of dollars & instead of paying them, they’re planning galas & such. I stand with those that #EbonyStillOwes & there should be no #EbonyGala until the writers are Paid In Full! #Ebony pic.twitter.com/AU77FMWPcx
— Jawn Murray (@JawnMurray) November 26, 2018
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