Transgender former L’Oréal model Munroe Bergdorf defends "all white people are racist" comments

Model Munroe Bergdorf was part of a recent campaign created by L’Oréal that champions diversity, but after posting "all white people are racist" in a Facebook post, L’Oréal ended their partnership with Bergdorf.

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.

— L'Oréal Paris UK (@LOrealParisUK) September 1, 2017

L’Oréal says that Bergdorf's comments "are at odds" with their values. Their statement in full read:

"L'Oreal supports diversity and tolerance towards all people irrespective of their race, background, gender and religion. The L'Oreal Paris True Match campaign is a representation of these values and we are proud of the diversity of the ambassadors who represent this campaign. We believe that the recent comments by Munroe Bergdorf are at odds with those values, and as such we have taken the decision to end the partnership with her."

The model has since responded, writing online: "Just know that in tearing me down, you are proving everything that I said to be true".

The facebook comments that stirred the controversy have since been deleted, but read:

"Honestly I don't have energy to talk about the racial violence of white people any more. Yes ALL white people.
"Because most of ya'll don't even realise or refuse to acknowledge that your existence, privilege and success as a race is built on the backs, blood and death of people of colour.
"Your entire existence is drenched in racism."

As a response to Bergdorf getting fired, a Twitter hashtag #BoycottLoreal showed support for Bergdorf.

#IStandWithMunroe woc aren't merely tokens that companies can use when it benefits them #BoycottLoreal

— Aisha ☭ (@Legitaisha) September 1, 2017

#IStandWithMunroe #BoycottLoreal white supremacy & their fragile egos should never have right to shut down the real words of woc & poc

— EYE WRI$$ (@IRISINPEACE) September 1, 2017

You cannot be racist to white people. You cannot be racist to the oppressors #BoycottLoreal

— Alpha Chad (@gavstaaa) September 1, 2017

#IStandWithMunroe - so here's a full list of brands owned by L'Oréal to stop buying with immediate effect. #BoycottLoreal pic.twitter.com/wyAqB03i2q

— Ash Sarkar (@AyoCaesar) September 1, 2017

This morning, Munroe Bergdorf appeared on Good Morning Britain and clashed with host Piers Morgan over racism and sexism as well. "Sexism doesn't come from women, of course it's caused by men." Bergdorf said, "Women don't uphold the patriarchy." Morgan responded "You don't think women can be sexist?" and demanded Bergdorf explain what the patriarchy is. "The patriarchy is a structure that puts men at the top of power" Bergdorf defined, and Morgan pointed out that "The five most powerful people in this country are women."

The full clip is available below.

Update. Tonight, Monday Sept 4 Munroe Bergdorf has also appeared on Channel 4, and BBC news where she brings up another model in the same L’Oréal campaign as an example of someone who benefits from simply being white, Cheryl Cole. "She was convicted for punching a black woman in the face." Bergdorf insists, "I don't understand how I'm not in line with their values, but they will hire Cheryl Cole over and over again."

Model Munroe Bergdorf says she's had death threats after she said 'all white people benefit from racism'
In full: https://t.co/eIrJCc0DDj pic.twitter.com/gJGIPogm7Y

— Victoria Derbyshire (@VictoriaLIVE) September 4, 2017

In a statement, a spokesperson for Cheryl

"More than 14 years ago Cheryl was unanimously acquitted of a charge of racially aggravated assault. She is disappointed to find her name involved in Munroe Bergdorf’s media interview."

Back in 2003 Cheryl's full name was Cheryl Tweedy, and while she was cleared of a racially aggravated assault on a nightclub toilet attendant according to the Guardian she was convicted of assault, ordered to pay a £3,000 fine and to do 120 hours of community service.

The victim of the assault did not make any mention of racism in her first statement to police while she was being treated in hospital. It was only after she had returned to the club and met the PR agent and then spoken to the Sunday Mirror later in the day that the allegations emerged.

Mr Endersby, who has since left the club, admitted he thought Mr Bishop had been paid for arranging an exclusive deal with the newspaper. Tweedy's barrister, Richard Matthews, said this was clear evidence of "a decision to put a certain story forward".