Adam Rapoport of Condé Nast-Owned ‘Bon Appétit’ Resigns for Racist Behavior
Bon Appétit has more than 6 million subscribers on YouTube and its content is loved by many, but it also has many flaws, like its ex editor-in-chief culturally appropriating Puerto Ricans and underpaying its culturally diverse creators.
The scandal began when a picture of Adam Rapoport and his wife, Simone Shubuck, resurfaced. They wore Halloween costumes that were indicative of Puerto Rican stereotypes. In the caption, Shubuck called Rapoport “Boricua” and “Papi.” Boricua is a slang word for a Puerto Rican individual living in the United States and “Boriquín” stands for the indigenous name of Puerto Rico. Priya Krishna, who is a contributing writer at the New York Times and Bon Appétit, has posted her reaction to Rapoport’s offensive behavior. Take a look down below.
As a BA contributor, I can’t stay silent on this. This is fucked up, plain and simple. It erases the work the BIPOC on staff have long been doing, behind the scenes. I plan to do everything in my power to hold the EIC, and systems that hold up actions like this, accountable. https://t.co/admyW8W2eM
— Priya Krishna (@priyakrishna) June 8, 2020
Soon after, Bon Appétit Magazine issued an apology on Instagram and assured its followers that Adam Rapoport has stepped down from his position and will not be returning. Bon Appétit also said that not only has the brand been “too white for far too long,” but it has been discriminatory of “non-white” stories and recipes, calling them “not newsworthy.”
Illyanna Maisonet, the first Puerto Rican food columnist in the United States, has shared receipts of her and Rapoport’s word exchange through Instagram. Maisonet writes that she is disappointed that Bon Appétit disregards her Puerto Rican food pitches. Bon Appétit portrays itself to show solidarity, but its behavior states otherwise. Rapoport responds, saying that Bon Appétit is inclusive because “Rick Martinez has done his carnitas recipe. Priya many of the Indian recipes she grew up with, [and] Andy Baraghani his favorite Persian dishes.“
Some of you have asked about what happened with @bonappetit Nice of you to ask. I got a nice letter from #AdamRapoport this morning. Here is the series of IG DMs we shared moments ago. A montage… pic.twitter.com/ueRP5i91vx
— illyanna Maisonet (@eatgordaeat) June 6, 2020
Molly Baz, a Senior Food Editor of Bon Appétit, announced that she “will not appear in any videos on Bon Appétit until [her] BIPOC colleagues receive equal pay and are fairly compensated for their appearances.” Bon Appétit has denied all allegations of unequal pay to its employees and did not address that it hardly has any Black creators.
The BA Test Kitchen is staging a revolt to support and protect their BIPOC coworkers and I’m really hoping everyone else joins Molly and Carla pic.twitter.com/wiO2Vg8NYc
— Sarah Hollowell 🐋 (@sarahhollowell) June 8, 2020
Conde Nast also released a statement following the incidents.
As a global media company, Condé Nast is dedicated to creating a diverse, inclusive and equitable workplace. We have a zero-tolerance policy toward discrimination and harassment in any forms. (1/2)
— Condé Nast (@CondeNast) June 9, 2020
It is an absolute shame to see a large and influential food platform underpaying its creators and refusing them fair titles due to their skin color or culture. This is unacceptable and there should be repercussions for their insensitive and derogatory actions towards people of color.
I am an incoming junior at the UCLA College of Letters and Science. Through my love and appreciation for literature, social justice, feminism, public speaking, and writing, I am planning on pursuing a career in immigration and public interest law. I want to help those who are either the victims of the system or discrimination because I wholeheartedly believe that the purpose of my life is to help others and take cases that nobody else is willing to take.
