Essence community noted for ethnocidal post/video

Attempting to erase Soulaan Black Americans from their history and homeland.

 The vibrant and deeply rooted culture of Black New Orleans took center stage recently as ESSENCE Magazine released a collaborative video project titled Dear New Orleans. Meant to honor the rich traditions and resilience of this iconic American city, the content instead sparked heated discussions online. Critics accused the project of cultural erasure, or ethnocide arguing that it failed to accurately reflect the unique Soulaan roots of New Orleans.

As the video circulated, viewers on social media highlighted concerns about the portrayal of New Orleans culture as vaguely African or Caribbean ignoring its distinct Black American identity. Amplified by reader-added context on platforms like Twitter, accusations of historical erasure have intensified, forcing a deeper conversation about the representation of local Black communities and their authentic stories. This controversy raises questions about the responsibilities of media outlets in preserving and respecting the nuances of cultural narratives. Full article is here