An executive from Snapchat’s mum or dad company apologized for a controversial Juneteenth filter that slipped through the company’s review processes in spite of enter from black personnel.

Oona King, the vice president of variety, equity and inclusion of Snap, shot down allegations that the organization released the filter asking users to smile to “break the chains of slavery” with no consulting any black staffers.

“The mischaracterization on social media — that White executives at a tech business failed, nonetheless again, to include things like Black perspectives — is absolutely untrue,” King, who is black, told staff in a Saturday letter. “What is real is that regardless of our assorted backgrounds, we are all human, and individuals make issues.”

King explained black employees were “fully involved” in developing and approving the filter but admitted that Snap officers failed to notice how it might offend people on a holiday getaway marking black Americans’ liberation from slavery. Snapchat pulled the filter and apologized after it sparked a backlash Friday.

“This blunder has taught us a precious lesson, and I am sincerely sorry that it arrived at the price of what we meant to be a respectful commemoration of this important day,” King explained in the letter, which was released by The Verge. A Snap spokesperson confirmed its authenticity to The Submit.

Snap is however looking into wherever the plan for the so-known as “Lens” originated, the organization spokesperson mentioned. But black staffers were among those who proposed working with smiling to “trigger” the effect though two white employees questioned no matter if it was acceptable, according to King.

King’s staff reviewed the filter “from the standpoint of Black innovative content” but failed to take into account how it would look when made use of by folks who were not black, she reported.

“We truly feel it is beautifully acceptable as black persons to celebrate the close of slavery — as we do with picnics, BBQs, road events and other varieties of celebration across The united states — and say ‘Smile! Pleased Juneteenth we’re no longer enslaved! But we’re not nonetheless genuinely absolutely free possibly!’” King wrote. “However for a White human being to notify a Black human being: ‘Smile! You’re no for a longer period slaves’ is offensive in the serious.”

Contrary to other Silicon Valley giants, Snap has in no way launched a report on the diversity of its workforce. The business has plans to publicly release its diversity data, “along with further context and our plans for meaningful adjust,” the Snap spokesperson said.