Chef Angela Dimayuga issues the perfect rejection of Ivanka Trump’s lifestyle brand

As she posted about on Instagram, Angela Dimayuga-the executive chef at Mission Chinese Food-was approached by a writer from Ivanka Trump's website about doing an interview that spotlighted Dimayuga as a female entrepreneur. Dimayuga wrote this in response:

Hi Adi,

Thank you for thinking of me. I'm glad you are a fan of my work so much that you want to provide more visibility for my career to inspire "other working women." However, I'm for women who actually empower other women.

I don't believe that IvankaTrump.com is truly "a non-political platform of empowerment for [women]". So long as the name Trump is involved, it is political and frankly, an option for the IvankaTrump.com business to make a profit.

I don't see anything empowering about defunding Planned Parenthood, barring asylum from women refugees, rolling back safeguards for equal pay, and treating POC/LGBT and the communities that support these groups like second class citizens.

As a queer person of color and daughter of immigrant parents I am not interested in being profiled as an aspirational figure for those that support a brand and a President that slyly disparages female empowerment. Sharing my story with a brand and family that silences our same voices is futile.

Thank you for the consideration.

Dimayuga also spoke to Elle about her response, explaining, "People, especially in marginalized communities are feeling more encouraged to speak and have their voices and narratives heard, and we all want to hear from them. We are beginning to be both more willing to share with no bullshit, and at the same time learning how to be better listeners." You can see Dimayuga's message if you click through the Instagram below:

[Photo: Ali Shaker/VOA]