We saw this and didn’t think it was meant to be offensive, but CNN gave it it’s fifteen minutes so…there is a controversy erupting over after the image of Dutch supermodel Lara Stone with black face paint was highlighted by the website Jezebel. To make matters worse, there were no black models in the issue…what do you think??
People Are Really Upset Over French Vogue’s ‘Blackface’…
Previous post: Will Taylor Swift Get Kanye West Back????
Next post: Lady Gaga To Hit The Road With Kid Cudi….
{ 1 trackback }
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
So Australia is racist because of the recent “Jackson Jive” black face taboo, but this isn’t as questionable? I think its important to question and challenge this kind of imagery and discuss what it represents, the motivation behind it and whether it is still viable to consider it offensive in our modern day…but keep a rational mind and don’t jump to opinions conjured in haste and brashness. The sensitivities related to black-face, minstrel shows and African American heritage are important and weighty, but it feels like the wrong people are getting too sensitive about things that don’t relate to them. If racism is something we want to stop then chastising international fashion models and stupid white kids from Sydney, Australia isn’t going to help…
yes. it will!
nobody should be able to do this.
mexico`s stamp has it!
popular japanese artist do it.
its NOT right cause of what it represents.
nobody should, cause your black, think of you in this manner (even though our entertainers arent helping).
and the only way to stop it is to address it.
i applaud CNN for it.
i agree with aleis
please don’t get me wrong. I don’t think it is right to slander, belittle or discriminate against anyone due to race and I definitely think that images like these need to be questioned and discussed, but realistically when these culturally insensitive images are broadcast on an national and/or international medium, even the fact that the audience doesn’t simply sit and accept it without significant critical analysis of the situation indicates at least a mainstream cultural consciousness. I don’t disagree with CNN for delving into this sort of taboo, however I feel that “fearing” and censoring the historically offensive meanings linked to an image such blackface doesn’t do anything in the way of breaking down its power as racist imagery. A broad minded, modern, non racist society should be one where all ideas whether cultural, historical, offensive or dangerous can be considered in an open forum so as to search out the true origin of an issue such as continued racism. Realistically, even talking about this on a blog website is tribute to that idea, but I feel that trying to lock away such signs and signifiers imbues them with too much power and makes people scared and closed-off, so when something intentionally offensive comes along we have no solid framework with which to fight it…
The intention behind the photo shoot may not have been meant to be offensive, however it is in poor taste. If they wanted a black face – use a black model.
To me black face has the big lips, tap dancing, and overdone stereotypes so this is in no way found it offensive BUT I do question the fact that they didn’t use any black models but needed to paint their cover model. If they had a black model and still painted their model there would be no issue [with me].
Black face, either done partial or complete – is unacceptable. But hey, as long as we let whitey get away with it, they will keep doing this shit. We really need to put our ‘footses’ down!
“To make matters worse, there were no black models in the issue…” i think thats exactly wat the issue is…i mean really? u wanted black bodies, then just get freakn black models they come in a variety of shades lol…i mean do u see vogue sayin they want white bodies and hiring black models and painting them white??? NOOOOOO…this aint no damn minstrel show a la 2009!
so i vote vogue did a BIG SHIT
HELLO IF I SAW THIS D FIRST THING IM THINKING IS THE UTTER AND TOTAL DISRESPECT FOR THE BLACK DIASPORA OF THEIR COUNTRY. how dare they and y wud u see it n be like it didnt bother u dats y dey do exactly wat they want to black people cuz of attitudes like that complecent n passive. if we DEMAND respect we will get it n dat shit dere cud never be respect.
jamie i disagree. to overcome a disrepectful past does not mean we have to accept any thing now in any modern society. in that case then we should be saying the word nigger then?
i beleive if it held a negative conotation before it cud only carry over nagativity in our modern day society, we need to be creative we dont need to go back in d past and revive racism to reflect any form of art.
For those who may be arguing that this is not offensive, can you please elaborate on any scenario where this kind of creative choice is artistcially justified, especially in light of the historical context for the use of blackface; the lack of black models on the same issue and the lack of black models in the high fashion industry in general.
The fact that you guys at the.LIFE files, as a site that covers a lot of Black celebrities and pop culture news as well as fashion stuff, didn’t think this was offensive (whether intended to be or not) or problematic until CNN told you it was though is just stunning and frankly, really kind of sad….
if you wanted a black model then you should have HIRED a black model………..period……………..BARBIE OUT
African American and RAcism over Vogue’s Magazine
I am trying to make myself believe that they painted this girl in black to show that no matter what color she possess, she will still look stunning? And being a model, you have to try everything, they can even painted her in RED, GOLD, BLUE, whatever they want. I don’t think there is really an issue of RACISM here. Maybe its just that some ppl were being so insensitive. They are a model, and they have to try everything, they have to wear anything for the sake of fashion