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Post by mom on Jul 6, 2020 19:40:47 GMT
American Crafts announced their new DT. Not a single Black person. (edited to add: or any POC. I didnt see their original photo in time, but apparently all the women were white) They've been called out about it and only now are going to let Black crafters join the team now. WOW. How tone deaf can they be? http://instagr.am/p/CCT9IWpFO30 |
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Post by refugeepea on Jul 6, 2020 19:47:32 GMT
As soon as I saw it on Instagram, I knew there would be comments! I do wonder how the selection works? They reach out to people? The put out an announcement on social media?
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pancakes
Drama Llama
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Post by pancakes on Jul 6, 2020 19:51:35 GMT
Such an afterthought!
One commenter was right on: Did POC apply? If so, why aren’t there any on the DT? If they didn’t apply, why do you think that is?
They should’ve been actively reaching out to great scrappers, not waiting for POC to apply.
Also I’m annoyed that they think the problem is that they “didn’t include any black crafters.” Because adding a token black crafter would’ve made it ok? Where are the other POC?
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Post by mom on Jul 6, 2020 20:05:50 GMT
As soon as I saw it on Instagram, I knew there would be comments! I do wonder how the selection works? They reach out to people? The put out an announcement on social media? I saw in comments they are asking people to submit work and if anyone wants to recommend someone, send them their name. |
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Post by sleepingbooty on Jul 6, 2020 20:17:00 GMT
Also I’m annoyed that they think the problem is that they “didn’t include any black crafters.” Because adding a token black crafter would’ve made it ok? Where are the other POC? Other POC, other languages, other traditions and other cultures. I'll give this much to AC: they have included at times POC in some of their lines and they were on the forefront of this compared to most other major scrap brands. I've bought those papers so I'm always pleasantly surprised when I flip through an older mini album or project and see other skin tones included. I know those papers. I don't understand how incredibly tone-deaf they are now with their DT in the midst of a major American movement. |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jul 6, 2020 20:18:27 GMT
Such an afterthought! One commenter was right on: Did POC apply? If so, why aren’t there any on the DT? If they didn’t apply, why do you think that is? They should’ve been actively reaching out to great scrappers, not waiting for POC to apply. Also I’m annoyed that they think the problem is that they “didn’t include any black crafters.” Because adding a token black crafter would’ve made it ok? Where are the other POC? And it's sad, but now any POC crafters added will be the "token POC designer." and you can bet there will be some crafters who question if they only got their place on the DT because of their skin color. |
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Post by mandolyn9909 on Jul 6, 2020 20:30:22 GMT
I find it very hard to believe that no person of colour or different ethnicity applied that was also very deserving of a spot.
One of my favourite scrapbookers right now is Nathalie Desousa (not sure her ethnicity exactly but I would guess hispanic). She is on lots of design teams and gaining in popularity, I am going to suggest her to american crafts but at this point I agree that is is almost a slap in the face if she wasn't picked in the first go around and had applied.
First they stop supporting shimelle...now this! So disappointed in AC brand lately.
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Deleted
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Nov 19, 2024 6:39:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2020 20:32:45 GMT
I find it very hard to believe that no person of colour or different ethnicity applied that was also very deserving of a spot. One of my favourite scrapbookers right now is Nathalie Desousa (not sure her ethnicity exactly but I would guess hispanic). She is on lots of design teams and gaining in popularity, I am going to suggest her to american crafts but at this point I agree that is is almost a slap in the face if she wasn't picked in the first go around and had applied. First they stop supporting shimelle...now this! So disappointed in AC brand lately. Is Nathalie on IG or YT? |
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Post by lostwithout2peas on Jul 6, 2020 20:36:15 GMT
I laughed to myself when I read their post and thought, really?? They didn't see it beforehand? Then I wanted to see their design team to see if they had any diversity at all, but I couldn't find the picture anymore. I just keep thinking to myself, it couldn't have been a complete white out, right? They wouldn't be that stupid, right??
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Post by mandolyn9909 on Jul 6, 2020 20:36:46 GMT
I find it very hard to believe that no person of colour or different ethnicity applied that was also very deserving of a spot. One of my favourite scrapbookers right now is Nathalie Desousa (not sure her ethnicity exactly but I would guess hispanic). She is on lots of design teams and gaining in popularity, I am going to suggest her to american crafts but at this point I agree that is is almost a slap in the face if she wasn't picked in the first go around and had applied. First they stop supporting shimelle...now this! So disappointed in AC brand lately. Is Nathalie on IG or YT? She is on both I believe. Just looked up her IG it is Tachita55 ETA I am not affiliated with her in anyway...just a superfan! She is very talented and she is on Vicki boutin design team...I can't tell you how many vicki boutins products I have bought because of her! LOL |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2020 20:41:26 GMT
She is on both I believe. Just looked up her IG it is Tachita55 ETA I am not affiliated with her in anyway...just a superfan! She is very talented and she is on Vicki boutin design team...I can't tell you how many vicki boutins products I have bought because of her! LOL Found her and following! Love her work!!! |
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Post by lostwithout2peas on Jul 6, 2020 20:46:42 GMT
I find it very hard to believe that no person of colour or different ethnicity applied that was also very deserving of a spot. One of my favourite scrapbookers right now is Nathalie Desousa (not sure her ethnicity exactly but I would guess hispanic). She is on lots of design teams and gaining in popularity, I am going to suggest her to american crafts but at this point I agree that is is almost a slap in the face if she wasn't picked in the first go around and had applied. First they stop supporting shimelle...now this! So disappointed in AC brand lately. I love her!! She's on the design team for Citrus twist!! |
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Post by mom on Jul 6, 2020 20:47:16 GMT
I laughed to myself when I read their post and thought, really?? They didn't see it beforehand? Then I wanted to see their design team to see if they had any diversity at all, but I couldn't find the picture anymore. I just keep thinking to myself, it couldn't have been a complete white out, right? They wouldn't be that stupid, right?? They were that stupid and Ali Edwards (in her Insta stories) shares a video about this. The crafter she shares is right on point --- Black women are in every craft and there is amazing talent from POC. Its time to include them. |
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Post by mom on Jul 6, 2020 20:48:11 GMT
I find it very hard to believe that no person of colour or different ethnicity applied that was also very deserving of a spot.
One of my favourite scrapbookers right now is Nathalie Desousa (not sure her ethnicity exactly but I would guess hispanic). She is on lots of design teams and gaining in popularity, I am going to suggest her to american crafts but at this point I agree that is is almost a slap in the face if she wasn't picked in the first go around and had applied. First they stop supporting shimelle...now this! So disappointed in AC brand lately. To be fair, I don't know if they had a DT call and ask people to apply, or if AC just quietly picked people. I suspect the second. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2020 20:48:33 GMT
I have seen others ask AC "well did any POC apply?"
They may feel intimidated or feel that there is no reason to put in the work when the DT is always white.
You also have to think that they may have a full time job. Because of oppression and not being paid the same as their white coworker, they aren't afforded the same lifestyle as middle+ class white families where mom/wife can stay home. So time isn't as open as it is for white women.
I have been wanting for DTs to be more diverse for years. I have contacted them and my request has fallen on deaf ears.
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Deleted
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Nov 19, 2024 6:39:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 6, 2020 20:51:35 GMT
I don't believe AC that they never realized this...
How many years have we complained about lack of diversity?!
Shame on you AC.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Jul 6, 2020 20:52:49 GMT
AC and other major brands also need to stop excluding crafters who don't speak English perfectly. There are so many hyper talented people around the world who don't get to break through in the core market because their blog or YT channel isn't in English. They could absolutely spring the small translation fee (seriously, translaters are vastly underpaid) to make these crafters' work fully appreciated by their usual English-speaking audience. Build bridges instead of setting hyper American-centric expectations. It's not that hard and it doesn't cost that much money.
American Crafts are the world's largest and most recognised scrapbook company globally. There's no excuse.
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Post by refugeepea on Jul 6, 2020 21:12:47 GMT
There's now an apology and no picture of the new design team.
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Post by don on Jul 6, 2020 21:21:43 GMT
I can see where that could be the main problem ...
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Post by refugeepea on Jul 6, 2020 21:25:43 GMT
Wasn't there another crafter who is Hispanic that said she would never buy another American Craft product because of what Maggie Holmes said? I think there was already a call for cancellation of their products before this started. I guess I can see how POC may not want to sign up for that team.
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Post by sleepingbooty on Jul 6, 2020 21:31:35 GMT
Wasn't there another crafter who is Hispanic that said she would never buy another American Craft product because of what Maggie Holmes said? I think there was already a call for cancellation of their products before this started. I guess I can see how POC may not want to sign up for that team. That's very recent. The DT call deadline would've been at least weeks before several Hispanic and Black women decided to boycott Maggie Holmes. They made it very clear that they were holding Maggie's words against Maggie, not Crate Paper or AC. |
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Post by ihaveonly1l on Jul 6, 2020 22:07:51 GMT
I would bet lots of POC and very diverse crafters applied and were not selected because the judges/selection group all are white and are drawn to that whitewashed look. While there are a lot of people on the Instagram post complaining that it should be on merit and not color, I don't think they understand that the scoring (probably) wasn't fair to start with. If every single judge is a white person from Utah where AC is located they are going to place higher scores on similar crafts compared to anyone with a different background. Heck, remember when Kristina what's her name became a big scrapper? She didn't fit the stereotype of a scrapbooker and some people struggled with her despite her talent. Imagine if AC tried to showcase using their products in non-traditional scrapbooker ways. I'm a white lady from middle America and I'm struggling with using a lot of scrapbooking products because I find myself with two 20 something year old boys and the traditional kid scrapbooking is over for me. If they had a middle age non-grandma yet person on their team, I'd probably be super excited.
The part that I am the most shocked about is not one person as this cleared many desks said, "Hey, is our customer base represented?" The fact that AC never looked at that group and was like, "Hey...something is odd about this.." is the biggest concern. They see no problem with their team but are now concerned with saving face.
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julie5
Pearl Clutcher
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Post by julie5 on Jul 6, 2020 23:10:58 GMT
I was going to say something here but I couldn’t figure out how to word it. I’ve seen 3 design teams posted in the last couple of weeks and every single one was white women. I mean if no Persons of color applied, ok. But In this climate, these companies should be actively scouting on social media. It’s not hard to find BiPoc crafters on insta.
ETA if you’re going to claim diversity, YOU (the company) should FIND the diverse individuals.
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Post by refugeepea on Jul 6, 2020 23:33:55 GMT
That's very recent. The DT call deadline would've been at least weeks before several Hispanic and Black women decided to boycott Maggie Holmes. They made it very clear that they were holding Maggie's words against Maggie, not Crate Paper or AC. That makes sense.  |
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Post by lisacharlotte on Jul 7, 2020 0:19:55 GMT
As long as they make the requirements so limiting (high You Tube/IG/Blog following and no pay) they're automatically weeding out anyone who cannot do this as a full time job they don't get paid for. I've said this before, solicit work from a variety of crafters and the company should host a blog/YT/IG. They'd get more diversity and variety. As it is now, everyone's work looks the same.
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pinklady
Drama Llama
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Post by pinklady on Jul 7, 2020 1:37:26 GMT
Such an afterthought! One commenter was right on: Did POC apply? If so, why aren’t there any on the DT? If they didn’t apply, why do you think that is? They should’ve been actively reaching out to great scrappers, not waiting for POC to apply. Also I’m annoyed that they think the problem is that they “didn’t include any black crafters.” Because adding a token black crafter would’ve made it ok? Where are the other POC? And it's sad, but now any POC crafters added will be the "token POC designer." and you can bet there will be some crafters who question if they only got their place on the DT because of their skin color. Possibly but if they are kick ass crafter to begin with, their work prove they are deserving of the position. I want more diversity so that’s how I’m choosing to look at it. |
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Post by joblackford on Jul 7, 2020 4:04:27 GMT
We had been talking about the issue here a million years ago (well, turns out it was only January, in the Before Times, it just felt like years ago) 2peasrefugees.boards.net/thread/101643/design-teams-whiteIt’s not a new problem, and while they do seem to have had a couple? of international white crafters over the past few years (clevergirlcraftings posted several years of DT intros in her stories) it should be blindingly obvious to anyone at the company *who is paying any attention* that their team is very very white. BTW they’ve corrected their “mistake” (poor choice, this was not a mistake) and gotten rid of the DT announcement post that added insult to injury by listing the white ladies as their “Master Design Team.” Someone asked them about that and yes, they’re dropping that terminology too. Maybe they need to diversify their corporate paid staff as well as their unpaid team so they can make some real changes. |
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Post by joblackford on Jul 7, 2020 4:07:42 GMT
BTW if anyone is looking for new people to follow on IG there are many suggestions in the comments of AC’s apology. You just have to dodge the racist bitching comments to find them.
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Deleted
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Nov 19, 2024 6:39:12 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2020 4:43:11 GMT
As soon as I saw it on Instagram, I knew there would be comments! I do wonder how the selection works? They reach out to people? The put out an announcement on social media? Whatever they're doing, it's NOT working. If you want to recruit a diverse team, you have to go outside the normal Utah/LDS/White/30-something hangouts. FFS. There are BOOKS written on how to do this. American Crafts SUCKS. |
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Deleted
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Post by Deleted on Jul 7, 2020 4:46:36 GMT
I don't believe AC that they never realized this... How many years have we complained about lack of diversity?! Shame on you AC. Including me. Here. 2peasrefugees.boards.net/post/2784918/threadCross-posting this thread to that one too. American Crafts sucks. Yeah, I said it twice, cuz they suck really hard. |
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