Cityline host Tracy Moore is urging fans to trust Black women and "unlearn privilege as a shield" after the show cut ties with Jessica Mulroney.
In a video posted to Instagram on June 10, popular social media influencer Sasha Exeter said Jessica, a close friend of Duchess Meghan, "took offence" to a call to action she made encouraging bloggers and influencers to support the Black Lives Matter movement.
Sasha said "a series of very problematic behaviour and antics" ensued, culminating in "a threat in writing last Wednesday." She added the exchanges had scared her as she believed her livelihood was at risk.
Jessica often appeared on Cityline as a guest expert, and late on June 11, the show announced she would no longer do so. Tracy also took to social media to address the news.
"Let's unlearn lashing out at Black women as a legitimate response to feeling called out," she wrote on Instagram, sharing a graphic that said "Trust Black Women."
"Unlearn privilege as a shield for your white fragility and use it instead to protect those who need it," she continued.
In addition to Cityline, Bell Media pulled Jessica's reality show I Do, Redo from its networks, and Hudson's Bay and Kleinfelds also severed ties with the stylist.
Tracy said the time she has spent working with Jessica made this week's events even more difficult for her.
"Jess has sat on the phone as I bawled, coaxing me, soothing me, lifting me up," Tracy wrote. "She has helped me in ways both big and small with my fashion side hustle. She's strategized with me, ate with me, laughed like crazy with me time and time again.
"And that's what makes this so hard. I am a friend. I am also a Black woman. The emotional labour often falls on our backs to speak up, push through and fight hard. The price for both staying silent or speaking up? Immense. Cue the extreme exhaustion."
Tracy also told her fans that "friends and family members will show true colours" during this time and it "isn't going to be an easy" period. She went on to tell people to check their privilege and do it often.
"Not just in public posts. In your daily life. In your workplace. At school. In the boardroom. It's the only way we get to the next step. This fight will continue to happen in both private conversations and loud public stand-offs... but understand this is just the beginning."
On June 3, Tracy spoke on Cityline about the ongoing work it takes to be an ally. She also encouraged people to use the world as a verb, pointing out it requires constant action and is "lifelong."
"It is incredibly hard to speak up for what you believe in. Every time I do it, I can feel the eye rolls. You know people are not getting it. It is a tough situation to be in.
"Are you going to be able to be that soldier? Because that's what allyship is. It is a verb, it is an active thing. It does not end when the coolness has disappeared from this issue. It is a lifetime commitment to making sure there is equality."
