L’Oréal Paris Rehires Munroe Bergdorf After Firing Her For Speaking Out Against Racism

June just might become Black beauty month the way brands are attempting to pull up in the midst of renewed scrutiny when it comes to diversity and inclusion.

The latest brand to try to get on the right side of history is L’Oreal Paris. The beauty giant has just rehired Munroe Bergdorf after firing her in 2017 for speaking out against the racist Charlottesville protests led by White nationalists and far-right extremists.

Back then, it said her comments were “at odds” with the brand. Fast forward to today with two weeks of civil unrest and a rise in “support everything Black” mentality in the wake of George Floyd’s death and things, are well, different. Social media took the brand to task for its conflicting support of Black Lives Matter after being reminded of its past response.

“This could have been a moment of redemption for L’Oréal, a chance for them to make amends and lead by example,” wrote Bergdorf in a post on Twitter. “L’Oréal claiming to stand with the Black community, yet also refusing to engage with the community on this issue, or apologise for the harm they caused to a Black female queer transgender employee, shows us who they are — just another big brand who seeks to capitalise from a marginalised movement.”

The brand’s new president Delphine Viguier subsequently reached out to Bergdorf. “We [had] an open and constructive conversation, she listened to what I had to say and expressed her regret for how the situation was handled three years ago,” said Bergdorf in a statement Tuesday.

Bergdorf will now serve as a consultant on L’Oréal Paris’ Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Board. She said she accepted the position because she believes in “accountability and progress, not cancellation and grudges.”

Hey, we’re not mad at all. We are definitely in the mindset of making folks put their money where their mouth is. Get your coins, sis.

Swipe below to read her full statement.