After working for the publication for almost 4 years, Tatsha Robertson was laid off from People Magazine this past May. Robertson, who came to People after a stint at Essence Magazine is alleging the publication operated in a manner that was overtly biased and discriminatory towards African-Americans.
Robertson, who was one of 4 black employees out of 110 total employees at People Magazine, also alleges she was often condescended to and left out of important meetings. She also alleges that stories she pitched that involved African-Americans were often shot down or derided.
According to The Daily News,
Cover stories on African-Americans were a rarity — the suit says a “black individual was the main feature” on the cover “exactly twice” in 2013, when the magazine put out 60 issues.
“In total since 2010, only 14 out of 265 covers have been focused on African-American individuals,” the suit says.
And since 1990, “only three individuals selected as the ‘Most Beautiful Person’ have been black, out of 25 selections.”
Robertson’s lawyer, David Gottlieb of Wigdor LLP, said, “The media has a responsibility to report and act with integrity. People Magazine has betrayed that responsibility by engaging in discrimination, both in its pages and through its employment practices.”
The suit says that with Robertson gone, “One can only imagine that it will be ‘business as usual’ at People Magazine going forward — more white people on covers, more stories about white people, and a completely dismissive attitude towards African-American employees.”
The suit seeks unspecified money damages from People, Time Inc. and Gleick.