All About Race: This Picture’s Thousand Words…
Grampa Caligula
· 1 year ago
Sorry, guy, but this really seems like an argument looking for participants. At first glance, all I really see is two obsenely rich people on the cover of a fashion magazine telling me how much better it is to be them than to be myself.
Carmen D.
· 1 year ago
Hello GC! No argument on this one, just puttin' it out there for discussion. "all I really see is two obsenely rich people on the cover of a fashion magazine telling me how much better it is to be them than to be myself." Yes. That too! :)
ceecee
· 1 year ago
Honestly I don't see what the brouhaha over the this cover is about.
Carmen D.
· 1 year ago
Hey Ceecee! I am glad to hear that. I'm not sure BUT I am certainly considering that my own "lens" may be cloudy on this one. That's why I've put this cover out here for feedback.
Tom
· 1 year ago
I don't think I can go with the group here. I see them trying to push a well-known button. Why is he making a scary face? Why is she wearing a dress while he is wearing gym clothes?
Carmen D.
· 1 year ago
Hey Tom. What's nagging at me is why don't they have him in a beautiful suit (like the second picture) dancing with her, twirling her even? They could have posed like they are at a gala or something. Since Vogue readers don't care about James' profession for the most part, why the basketball? Vogue is about elegance, fashion...consumerism. What are they trying to sell now, jerseys?
Changeseeker
· 1 year ago
While I definitely agree with Grandpa on one level, I also agree with Tom that this is an old, old button they're pushing. But I would add something. She's not struggling. She's smiling. Broadly. In her "this-is-a-dress-but-it-wears-like-a-nightgown" dress. And he IS the big scary conqueror, apparently on -- and off -- the court. Hmmmm...
Keep in mind that this is a "woman's" magazine (isn't it?) largely read (I would imagine) by up-scale White ladies who can read. So just who is the cover for and who is it against? Is it supposed to titilate White female Vogue buyers? Is it supposed to make White males feel insecure? Is it supposed to portray Black males as physical behemoths with extra prowess in...er...playing basketball? Or what?
Tacky. Tacky. Tacky. And veeeery old news. I hope James is ashamed of himself for letting them pay him to look like the embodiment of the oldest Black stereotype in the book. I'm embarrassed enough for him for both of us, but he surely didn't need the money. What was he thinking? This is what Malcolm X died for?
Tom
· 1 year ago
Carmen, You've probably seen it but Temple3 has a post up on this too.
Changeseeker, I don't think it's clear that he had much control over the end product? They take a lot of shots, they airbrush, and I'm not sure that folks who appear in pictures together were necessarily even in the studio at the same time.
Carmen D.
· 1 year ago
Hey Changeseeker. Girrrl, you've got me thinking on a whole 'nother level. ;) The "don't....stop" smile completely missed me.
Hey Tom. No, I haven't seen Temple3 but I will check it out right now. Thanks for the heads up.
Changeseeker
· 1 year ago
Tom, I know you could be right on this. They might not have even been in the studio together. In which case (if it were true), I'd sure be interested in knowing what LeBron thought of the cover.
n-2-me-i-c
· 1 year ago
Carmen,
The cover of Vogue is causing quite a stir. They say James "screams of King Kong."LOL But James says that he was just showing a little emotion. ROFL.
I've got to move to another country...I can't take it any more.
n-2-me-i-c, I am glad to know we are not the only ones with conflicted thoughts about this cover. The excellent Fox sports article hits on a most important point. If Vogue had a more diverse editorial staff, at least Vogue could claim the cover composition was a conscious choice rather than one that sprung from an unconscious stereotype.
n-2-me-i-c
· 1 year ago
Carmen,
I usually agree with you but I think Jason Whitlock might have a point here.
Maybe the Democratic Primary has everyone on hyper-alert?
Carmen D.
· 1 year ago
n-2-me-i-c, I hope you know that this site is all about debate. I wish more people who disagree with me would speak up here. I do not agree with Whitlock. And I am not "angry" about LeBron's Vogue cover. Examining mass media images and their influence on how we see each other is what I have always done. (Keep in mind that I was an ABC News producer for 13 years. I know how the sausage is made.)
And on another note, clearly Jason Whitlock is not familiar with the Black Blogosphere. Every post I've read excoriates Perry for his latest movie. I haven't seen it, I won't see it and so cannot write about it.
Grampa Caligula
· 1 year ago
Wow! The buzz from this picture is really crazy! I hadn't heard the 'King Kong' reference until now! There actually may be racial stereotyping at play here, but I would argue that it's not what everyone thinks (or hopes, I imagine).
This is apparently Vogues' 'Shape Issue', with a byline - 'Secrets of the Best Bodies'. Now, if I turn my pc-sensitivity meter to high, I can see that what what should insult me as a left-leaning American is that the race and gender play a role in what's considered to be 'the Best Bodies'. So in this sense, we have gender AND race classifications.
But what if they were dating? What if they were married? If it wasn't common knowedge, but came out later, what face would this debate take on then?
I guess in a week or so, the outrage will be forgotten due to some Brittney Spears baby scandal . . .
n-2-me-i-c
· 1 year ago
Dear Carmen,
I am not a Whitlock fan but I do think he has some valid points when it comes to sports figures. In this case, I agree with him as it pertains to LeBron and Vogue Magazine. Nevertheless, I could have voiced my opinion w/o Whitlock. In the future, I will do my best to stay with the aim and spirit of your blog.
I think there is a growing hyper-sensitivity to race in our country. I am worried about it. It feels like a freight train of madness that is gaining speed. To me, everything is being put under a magnifying glass when it comes to Blacks and Whites. Maybe it's because I am caught up in this Democratic Party mess and still struggling with the rhetoric of Rev Wright.
I hope the real problem merely lies within my mind,.. that once again, I am imagining a catastrophic event that will never happen.
Peace.
Carmen D.
· 1 year ago
n-2-me-i-c, I am GLAD you pointed out Whitlock's article. There is so much information out there that I can't keep track of much of it. And Whitlock is certainly read by many people and influential.
I am working on a post about "hyper-sensitivity." I am not sure if anything is new or even intensified. I do think we are all raw and mostly because it feels like we are running in place, talking more than we should and listening less. Lord knows I have beau coup blind sides, but I am trying. You are trying. Everyone who stops by and leaves a comment is trying.
Look, Obama's closeness with Wright is a problem for me. I am not covering it day to day because I am trying to discern patterns. But another post is coming soon. Obama's speech was a breathtaking example of what dialogue can be about. But did it answer all of my questions about his relationship with Wright? Nope. Does he have to? I am not sure. That's what I am grappling with.
There aren't many rules here! Bring your ideas, your heart and your links. ;)
Carmen D.
· 1 year ago
Grampa C, if they were dating, I would have probably blown my top. The sexual stereotypes would have punched me in the face. On this one, I get all sides of the argument. But mostly, on issues of race, I listen to my gut. And when I first saw this cover over at Average Bro I winced. I brought the cover here so that we could all examine it together. And that's just what we're doing! Yay!
Mike
· 1 year ago
My perspective (I just blogged about it today) is that the stereotypes things like this perpetuate do matter. There's plenty of studies to back up the impact of stereotypes on important outcomes. But if we are going to care about stereotypes this is not where the focus should be--it needs to be in our (black community) own back yard. The negative stereotypes black folks perpetuate about ourselves far outweigh what is depicted here. The cover shouldn't be dismissed, but we certainly shouldn't spend much energy on it.
Carmen D.
· 1 year ago
Mike, I'm there with you regarding this cover not being of great consequence. But I am glad this image sparked debate. Analysis like this gets easier the more we do it. I am happy to start small and get onto the jumbo issues as soon as possible.
Sean
· 1 year ago
When Labron is dribbling down the court, that is what he may look like. When Giselle is doing the catwalk, ditto. What is the issue here? They are showing the contrast between a large muscular body and a lean tall body. About shapes, not color. Perspective people, perspective.
Carmen D.
· 1 year ago
Hi Sean, welcome to the conversation. If you read the post and comments closely the "issue here" should be clear. You do not need to agree with the arguments presented, but it's not okay to diminish the the validity of those arguments because you can't/don't/won't see it. Each of us has a valid perspective on this issue shaped by our experiences with race and media. Yours is not right. Mine is not wrong. We disagree and that's fine.
All Comments
Keep in mind that this is a "woman's" magazine (isn't it?) largely read (I would imagine) by up-scale White ladies who can read. So just who is the cover for and who is it against? Is it supposed to titilate White female Vogue buyers? Is it supposed to make White males feel insecure? Is it supposed to portray Black males as physical behemoths with extra prowess in...er...playing basketball? Or what?
Tacky. Tacky. Tacky. And veeeery old news. I hope James is ashamed of himself for letting them pay him to look like the embodiment of the oldest Black stereotype in the book. I'm embarrassed enough for him for both of us, but he surely didn't need the money. What was he thinking? This is what Malcolm X died for?
Changeseeker, I don't think it's clear that he had much control over the end product? They take a lot of shots, they airbrush, and I'm not sure that folks who appear in pictures together were necessarily even in the studio at the same time.
Hey Tom. No, I haven't seen Temple3 but I will check it out right now. Thanks for the heads up.
The cover of Vogue is causing quite a stir. They say James "screams of King Kong."LOL But James says that he was just showing a little emotion. ROFL.
I've got to move to another country...I can't take it any more.
Does this">http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7953426/LeBr... confirm your original thoughts?
I usually agree with you but I think Jason Whitlock might have a point here.
Maybe the Democratic Primary has everyone on hyper-alert?
And on another note, clearly Jason Whitlock is not familiar with the Black Blogosphere. Every post I've read excoriates Perry for his latest movie. I haven't seen it, I won't see it and so cannot write about it.
This is apparently Vogues' 'Shape Issue', with a byline - 'Secrets of the Best Bodies'. Now, if I turn my pc-sensitivity meter to high, I can see that what what should insult me as a left-leaning American is that the race and gender play a role in what's considered to be 'the Best Bodies'. So in this sense, we have gender AND race classifications.
But what if they were dating? What if they were married? If it wasn't common knowedge, but came out later, what face would this debate take on then?
I guess in a week or so, the outrage will be forgotten due to some Brittney Spears baby scandal . . .
I am not a Whitlock fan but I do think he has some valid points when it comes to sports figures. In this case, I agree with him as it pertains to LeBron and Vogue Magazine. Nevertheless, I could have voiced my opinion w/o Whitlock. In the future, I will do my best to stay with the aim and spirit of your blog.
I think there is a growing hyper-sensitivity to race in our country. I am worried about it. It feels like a freight train of madness that is gaining speed. To me, everything is being put under a magnifying glass when it comes to Blacks and Whites. Maybe it's because I am caught up in this Democratic Party mess and still struggling with the rhetoric of Rev Wright.
I hope the real problem merely lies within my mind,.. that once again, I am imagining a catastrophic event that will never happen.
Peace.
I am working on a post about "hyper-sensitivity." I am not sure if anything is new or even intensified. I do think we are all raw and mostly because it feels like we are running in place, talking more than we should and listening less. Lord knows I have beau coup blind sides, but I am trying. You are trying. Everyone who stops by and leaves a comment is trying.
Look, Obama's closeness with Wright is a problem for me. I am not covering it day to day because I am trying to discern patterns. But another post is coming soon. Obama's speech was a breathtaking example of what dialogue can be about. But did it answer all of my questions about his relationship with Wright? Nope. Does he have to? I am not sure. That's what I am grappling with.
There aren't many rules here! Bring your ideas, your heart and your links. ;)
And that's just what we're doing! Yay!