Racial Diversity In Modeling

[iluvjeisa]

I love when people (guessgirl96,ilovejeisa) try to defend and make up excuses for Vogue's behavior. It exposes their true feelings. Once again comparing a high fashion magazine to a non-fashion magazine.

Can you please try to not misquote people and assume you know what they think? It's preposterous. It is a fact that there are some magazines - whether they are fashion magazines or not - that almost exclusively have black people on the covers. That is what I was referring to - I was definitely not equating Vogue and Essence. Furthermore, I'm trying to understand the mechanisms that lead to the skewed ethnicity distribution of covers (and editorials) that we are observing. I'm not saying if it's right or wrong, but if you must know I would prefer more variety, I'm trying to understand the underlying reasons for it (and considering reasons other than blatant racism).

 

[Joseph26]

There are threads about Eastern European models. Poor Eastern European models getting segregated by getting their own thread! Not to be rude, but for some reason, whenever the word 'black' is attached to something, people are either assuming segregation or affirmative action.

as far as I know every model can have her own thread, even if she's not a top model, am I right?

 

[Joseph26]

joseph26, how do you know most of the posters in there are black?
i don't recall filling out a race selection when i joined tfs...
you only know someone's race if they mention it...

precisely 'cause they have mentioned it, besides I know them from other forums

 

[Joseph26]

how do you propose we celebrate models of any certain race? (its a sad fact but race still matters)

if we are talking about diversity and equality then race shouldn't be celebrated hello!

 

[Mota3089]

Black is beautiful

Todays Models are all look a like. Same skin tone, same boring personality and background. We need diversity and real individuality.

The best thing about African Models is that all look different no matter how light or darker they are. They are extremely experimental, Colour looks a lot better on them.

 

[ysljunkie]

if we are talking about diversity and equality then race shouldn't be celebrated hello!

Look,RACE Matters and celebrating different races is what diversity:The fact or quality of being diverse; difference. A point or respect in which things differ and equality is!!!
Sure it may not seem that way when you have one thread about one race and one about another but as a whole thats what it is. What you saying that celebrating race (in a good way) is still racist and that it hurts equality and diversity and IMO thats is totaly wrong.

 

[Joseph26]

There are threads about Eastern European models.

you have said it "Eastern European models", not "white models", do you get the difference?

 

[Joseph26]

Black is beautiful

Todays Models are all look a like. Same skin tone, same boring personality and background. We need diversity and real individuality.

are they boring 'cause they are white?

The best thing about African Models is that all look different no matter how light or darker they are. They are extremely experimental, Colour looks a lot better on them.

that's a personal opinion, not a fact, I could say the same about latinas.

 

[Joseph26]

Look,RACE Matters and celebrating different races is what diversity:The fact or quality of being diverse; difference. A point or respect in which things differ and equality is!!!
Sure it may not seem that way when you have one thread about one race and one about another but as a whole thats what it is. What you saying that celebrating race (in a good way) is still racist and that it hurts equality and diversity and IMO thats is totaly wrong.

so am I supposed to celebrate that I'm latino? why? what would be the reason of the celebration? my color skin?

I don't see myself as a latino, I'm a human being and that's it.

I can celebrate my culture, my origins, not my color of skin.

 

[leyla m.]

i hate taking sides and have been reading posts on this thread for a few days now...
i would just like to add my 2 cents. racism in this case is becoming more of an issue because people tend to like to focus on what isnt there. in other words a minority (or minorities in general)
yes, naomi might have disliked it.. but to be honest: why such a big deal? i am not of what the world would call the norm either but confidence has tought me otherwise and trust me i am untouchable. call me black, gay, a jew... dont include my type of people or race on a cover (in fact none of the models come from my origin) of Vogue and it wont bother me. Vogue happens to be what it is. It might also promote black models on their cover but as we have seen so far, it doesnt seem to be much of their interest. please noone take offense, but big deal. Vogue just also happened to become the most famous and commercial fashion mag worldwide.. does that mean they have to do as everyone pleases? Vogue is a commercial tool and as much as i understand that many are interested in the cover (well models mainly because it promotes their carreer in particular) it is the content that matters to most. as far as i know there is quite a diversity every now and then inside.
Also the problem here is that not only does the model industry "just" happen to have a majority of fair skinned top models at the moment but the fashion the past couple of seasons has been a little extreme to experiment on darker skins as blank canvases. and which dark skinned models do we have out there right now (or even asians, etc) whom you would actually like to see on the cover of Vogue?
maybe thats an interesting question to be answered... as i wouldnt know myself.

again, for those who know me, i hate arguments anywhere and on tFS in particular so lets try and see this with a lighter heart and not take offence in any posts as they are not intended to do so

 

[Joseph26]

Leyla M for President!

 

[fouroclock]

you have said it "Eastern European models", not "white models", do you get the difference?

See what you're doing here? You're being a little b*tch right now. Don't be like that. My point was that the term 'black' is much more loaded than the term, eek, 'Slavic' and that associating certain people with the former arises much more question and debate that the latter term would. Also, there's so much behind the sociohistory of the Eastern Europeans and how they were badmouthed by their Western counterparts probably since the Early Medieval period, but that's another rant.

For argument's sake, let's say that 'white people don't exist.' Keeping that argument in mind, I think the reason why the outrage against white domination in Western culture is because the whiteness that the media repeatedly try to portray is absolutely false. These 'white people' by their real origin have their own cultural flavours, have had their own ups and down, and are much more fragmented than they seem. But the media for so long portrays 'whiteness' as this timeless, united and privileged with such affluence that they pretty much blatantly convey that if your skin is naturally darker you're automatically poor, imperfect and won't look good in that Balenciaga jacket. It's a glass ceiling that they've tried to put up so many times institutionally and through propaganda and this message does make some people feel as if they've been cast as the 'other' forever.

In response to your last post I'd say it's different to see diversity as a South American (with the exception of Brazil, but at the same time I`m not so certain whether they have the same social make-up as us) than in North America or Western Europe. There, assimilation is much more possible. And since the people of colour in the West can't assimilate as effectively, we're either oppressed or ignored because of it. Thus we celebrate it. It's hard to see yourself as a 'human being.' What's does that even mean. We're all too different to even categorize what a 'human being' is. And celebrating our skin colour is a statement - and I guess we're going full circle here - of beauty and how people of colour can look aesthetically pleasing.

 

[eternitygoddess]

but i think extending affirmitive action to fashion magazines is ridiculous.

So true.

Black is beautiful

Todays Models are all look a like. Same skin tone, same boring personality and background. We need diversity and real individuality.

The best thing about African Models is that all look different no matter how light or darker they are. They are extremely experimental, Colour looks a lot better on them.

Talk about racist. Imagine if you reversed your position, it would be the same as saying "Whites are beautiful. Blacks have same skin tone and same boring personality."

it is the content that matters to most. as far as i know there is quite a diversity every now and then inside.

Great point. Everyone forgets the content.

 

[ChristionCouture]

Anyone that questions equality needs a mental check-up! Joseph, you make absolutely no sense and I'm not wasting anymore of my time on you.

The editors at Vogue are public media professionals. Comparing the actions of a bunch of people that hold positions in the public media to the actions of people posting on an internet forum is absurd.

Once again, this goes even deeper than models on the cover of magazines. Not only are the magazines not representing it's populations' cultural balance , but the publishing and fashion industries aren't representing that either.

Members of the media have an obligation to represent the cultural balance of the population it serves.

Sites you should check out:

Lily-White Magazine Land

Publishing industry lags behind in ethnic recruits

The Diversity in Publishing Report

Vogue uses Blacks, but not as models

 

[Joseph26]

Also, there's so much behind the sociohistory of the Eastern Europeans and how they were badmouthed by their Western counterparts probably since the Early Medieval period, but that's another rant.

yeah, it's complicated 'cause every country has its history and after all we are talking about fashion! I mean, F-A-S-H-I-O-N, expensive clothes, stylish pictures, we all can survive without that, the fashion world is to have fun, being happy, not to be fighting due to race, IMO

if your skin is naturally darker you're automatically poor, imperfect and won't look good in that Balenciaga jacket.

what is important in the fashion world of today is the body, not the race.

In response to your last post I'd say it's different to see diversity as a South American than in North America or Western Europe.

you're wrong associating latino with south america.

North America = USA, Canada & Mexico

It's hard to see yourself as a 'human being.' What's does that even mean. We're all too different to even categorize what a 'human being' is.

Wikipedia to the rescue:

human being - any living or extinct member of the family Hominidae characterized by superior intelligence, articulate speech, and erect carriage

I'm a human being

 

[seanutbutter]

Talk about racist. Imagine if you reversed your position, it would be the same as saying "Whites are beautiful. Blacks have same skin tone and same boring personality."

Tell me about it. What I don't understand is why people are allowed to make comments like that and you're the first person to point out how blatantly racist it is. If reversed, even Naomi's comments could be interpreted that way.

 

[misssakura]

Black is beautiful

Todays Models are all look a like. Same skin tone, same boring personality and background. We need diversity and real individuality.

The best thing about African Models is that all look different no matter how light or darker they are. They are extremely experimental, Colour looks a lot better on them.

I read this statement once...twice...three times. Rubbed my eyes to make sure I wasn't getting the wrong idea. Read it again.

Where do I start? I don't think 'Black' = African. Secondly are you saying 'White' = Boring? Thirdly what about Asia?

There is so much diversity in the world, it doesn't all have to do with skin colour you know. The main issue in this thread is that the fashion editors are playing it safe by chosing the SAME KIND OF MODEL over and over again.

It would be the same story if there were the same kind of african models on the cover over and and over again.

There are different kinds of beauty and they are not being embraced by the fashion industry because for some reason it has backed itself into a narrow minded corner that it finds comfortable.

 

[Guessgirl96]

I love when people (guessgirl96,ilovejeisa) try to defend and make up excuses for Vogue's behavior. It exposes their true feelings. Once again comparing a high fashion magazine to a non-fashion magazine.

I think it's beside the point that one is a fashion magazine and one is not. My point was that there are magazines who aim at blacks, whites, latino, asians, men, women, young, old, etc. regardless of what the magazine is for.. And I dont think it's correct to expect diversity from one but not from another. Personally I think its okay for them to focus on different groups, and I can also respect the opinion that they should all be banished and instead only completely diverse magazines created, but I dont understand the idea that its okay for some magazines to advertise to a certain group but not others. Anyone is free to create a fashion magazine aimed at african americans and its not vogues fault that there isnt one, so again its beside the point what kind of magazine it is, fashion or not.

 

[Joseph26]

Anyone is free to create a fashion magazine aimed at african americans and its not vogues fault that there isnt one.

exactly! karma.

 

[ChristionCouture]

Tell me about it. What I don't understand is why people are allowed to make comments like that and you're the first person to point out how blatantly racist it is. If reversed, even Naomi's comments could be interpreted that way.

So you're trying to justify the inexcusable behavior of public media outlets with a comment from an internet forum member?