Sohla El-Waylly Isn’t Your Hero

A critique of Bon Appétit’s biggest martyr

The Overview

There are a number of concessions that need to be said before the truth of this subject can be discussed, so lets get those out of the way: Racism is bad. Unequal pay for equal work is bad. Bon Appétit’s former Editor-in-chief Adam Rapoport was rightfully dismissed for behavior unbecoming of his position and unbecoming of, well, a good person. Condé Nast was overdue for reform, and I hope they have taken the appropriate steps to rectify what most would agree were racist hiring practices and unfair treatment of their talent.

But, if you have followed Bon Appétit’s controversial summer, you are likely aware of its new cult hero and martyr, Sohla El-Waylly, former assistant editor of the acclaimed Test Kitchen. El-Waylly was one of the original “whistleblowers,” if you will, publicly calling for then Editor-in-chief Adam Rapoport’s resignation after racist images of him surfaced online. However, El-Waylly took it a step further in her Instagram post, calling for BIPOC contributors to be “given fair titles, fair salaries, and compensation for video appearances.” All of this feels right and just.