Teen Vogue Slammed For Coronavirus Pandemic Rent Column

Teen Vogue is facing a wave of criticism after publishing an op-ed piece that discusses the eviction crisis and suggests that rent should be canceled. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, many people have lost their jobs and have been unable to pay their rent.

In the article by Kandist Mallett, the author notes that although states have taken measures to protect renters, the moratorium on evictions have ended in some places and has left thousands of people at risk of losing their residences.

“The answer to the housing crisis isn’t a moratorium on evictions that only delays these violent events while furthering indebting renters in the interim,” Mallett wrote.

“We should cancel rent outright as this pandemic rages. And we should work toward a world where landlords no longer hold this sort of power over people’s lives.”

However, many didn’t agree with her opinion and took to Twitter to share their thoughts. “The fed govt should be giving you cash to pay your rent,” one person wrote.

“If you cancel rent you’re going to make the rental crisis worse bc you’re going to push out small landlords and the only people able to own rental properties will be large corporations.”

However, one Twitter user suggested that the article should consider the financial troubles the pandemic has caused for property owners.

“Here’s the thing...I know it’s a tough concept...but, landlords have bills and taxes to pay! Yep...taxes.... that thing that government so freely accesses to spread the wealth... which of course is a fallacy,” the individual wrote.

Meanwhile, some thought the article was full of inaccurate details and slammed the magazine over the message.

“It’s dumb misinformation like this that needs to be fact-checked. Stop teaching kids not to be responsible and expecting everything in life to be free. Do y’all even know how economics work,” one person tweeted.

Another reader added, “This is the stupidest thing I’ve ever seen. If somebody wants to live somewhere without paying rent they need to purchase the property. It’s not a human right it’s a privilege.”

As of Thursday afternoon, Teen Vogue has not addressed the backlash in response to the article, which was first published July 15. The renewed outrage came after the publication shared the article on Twitter again on Wednesday.

The piece was written for Black Canary, Mallet's op-ed column on injustice in America.