Lou Dbaibo: Q&A
By TADHI COULTER
In light of recent civil & racial unrest around the world, particularly in the United States, this series timestamps the perspectives, experiences and desires of a current selection of talent represented by Red Model Management.
TC: Have you, a loved one, or friend experienced discrimination? Describe that experience or combination thereof.
Lou Dbaibo: Sometimes I’ve been told I’m too Middle Eastern to be cast as White, too White to be cast as the token Middle Eastern girl. Although I have experienced discrimination in the industry as a Lebanese woman, I can't speak on behalf of Black people’s experience in the industry and, of course, outside of fashion on a day to day basis.
TC: Describe the impact this kind of discrimination has had on your life, with special attention to the world of fashion & beauty, and whether you see yourself as a change agent.
Lou Dbaibo: The Black Lives Matter movement pushed me to do my research and get more informed on the discrimination Black people face everyday from microagressions to how the system is geared against them. It propelled me to see ways I can get more involved in supporting and spreading awareness for the movement. I realized how much even the smallest actions taken to spread awareness makes a difference and I hope to live in a world where racial prejudice becomes obsolete.
TC: How have you been impacted by the Black Lives Matter (BLM) movement, and what would you like the fashion & beauty industry to take away from it?
Lou Dbaibo: I would like the fashion & beauty industry to employ more Black models and be more inclusive to different races and ethnicities and not just hire people as a temporary marketing tool in response to the BLM movement. It should be standard and not just celebrated when it happens.
