Racial Diversity In Modeling

[MissMagAddict]

I would love to know who the photographer was on that I-D photo shoot. I want to get a good look at that sicko!

Photographer: Tung Walsh
Stylist: Sam Ranger
Model: Sasha @ Verve

 

[Assembler]

I didn't realize Aunt Jemima was a racist image. Is that true?

 

[xmodel citizen]

I didn't realize Aunt Jemima was a racist image. Is that true?

Yes, Aunt Jemima was essentially a stock character from ministrel shows, the "*****" type. Aunt and Uncle were common terms used by white people when speaking to slaves, whether or not there was any relation (hence why we have "Aunt Jemima" and "Uncle Ben"). There's some images in racist advertising here.

 

[ChristionCouture]

Gemma, Lilly, and Hillary in black face.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=impHycAssD4

 

[kahlilg]

^ dancing to crazy in love. everytime i see that video i cringe. it isn't funny but was it for a photoshoot or something?

 

[Assembler]

Yes, Aunt Jemima was essentially a stock character from ministrel shows, the "*****" type. Aunt and Uncle were common terms used by white people when speaking to slaves, whether or not there was any relation (hence why we have "Aunt Jemima" and "Uncle Ben"). There's some images in racist advertising here.

Thanks, I read through the slide show. I'm first generation Canadian, and though we covered some American history in school, I had no idea about the advertising. I have Aunt Jemima syrup. I just thought she was supposed to be a lady that everyone loved and so they called her Aunt, and that she made really good syrup. I didn't know the term Aunt was actually offensive, and related to a servant's position.

This is interesting though, I wonder if casting directors might avoid black models for fear of being accused of racial slurs. Like in the picture above with the woman in the head wrappings, I just thought it was beautiful, but others got really angry about it. And the cover of the magazine with Lebron (?) and Gisele that people were really upset about. Maybe an over sensitivity of the public to misconstruing an image means black models are shied away from. I don't think that can be it for the most case, because I would imagine most pictures couldn't be misconstrued to having a hidden message. And certainly runway couldn't be. Unless people picked apart why a certain model was wearing that outfit, etc.

 

[janznote]

Black Models and Their Campaigns Thread (New)

Black Models and Their Campaigns
There has been a lot of controversy about the lack of black models in magazines and excitement lately about the industry's initiatives to include black models in magazines. This is to be applauded. The bottom line however, is that editorial in magazines just doesn't pay the bills. A black model can be seen in every top magazine there is but if she doesn't get offered the campaigns, she won't be able to survive.

I recently saw a list of campaigns for this season and I saw only three black models on it Liya, Chanel, and Naomi. There are tons of black models and more than enough top black models that aren't listed at all. This needs attention.

I hope to see this thread flourish with posted campaigns. I'm starting it off with Liya Kebede and Tiffany & Co.

Let's talk about it.

 

[Jacque Marcel]

Was that photoshoot with Hillary, Gemma, and Lily ever published? Did Meisel shoot that and why the bananas? People usually use hair brushes as microphones not bananas. Unless the intent/joke was to equate black people to...

 

[smartarse]

is Uncle Ben [rice] racist?

 

[Bahiyya]

^ That was the history behind the image . But it doesn't seem to offend people too much now, considering that it's still being used and the brands are successful (as far as I know). Heck, I buy the maple syrup.

source: Answers.com

This strong ad support would become something of a stumbling block in later years, when many consumers rejected the use of stereotypical images of African Americans in advertising. Such advertising icons as Aunt Jemima, Cream of Wheat's Rastus, and Uncle Ben came under fire, and some were even revised to accommodate modern tastes. While his portrait remained unchanged, Uncle Ben shrunk down over the years from a full-sized image that took up the entire box front to a small oval at the top. In fact, the portrait disappeared from the box in the 1980s. Some observers cast this move as a reaction to consumer protests, but the company asserted that it was merely a marketing maneuver in preparation for a brand extension. The image was eventually reinstated, and remained a brand logo into the late 1990s.

 

[SHSH]

Arlenis Peña is amazing, as a fellow black hispanic i am proud

aunt jemima uses a racist image and so is uncle ben its one of those things that we overlook and become so desensitized to. Why uncle and auntie? well back in the day whites used to sometimes call black women auntie, i.e. the slaves that would look after children etc I mean why auntie why not Mrs or Miss historically they were always called gal something else. i.e. color purple esque times.

oh my god i cant believe gemma did that video none of them can dance and whats with the bananas?!?!?!?! the self tan the stupid afros, how strangee

 

[Guessgirl96]

Whats wrong with the Gisele and Lebron cover?

 

[fashionista-ta]

Arlenis Peña is amazing, as a fellow black hispanic i am proud

aunt jemima uses a racist image and so is uncle ben its one of those things that we overlook and become so desensitized to. Why uncle and auntie? well back in the day whites used to sometimes call black women auntie, i.e. the slaves that would look after children etc I mean why auntie why not Mrs or Miss historically they were always called gal something else. i.e. color purple esque times.

oh my god i cant believe gemma did that video none of them can dance and whats with the bananas?!?!?!?! the self tan the stupid afros, how strangee

There's Uncle Remus too ... Uncle/Auntie aren't terms of disrespect, are they? It's common among both black and white people now, to teach children this title for an important family friend ... someone who's like family. I also grew up calling my own aunt Auntie ... Gayle's children call Oprah Auntie O.

 

[xmodel citizen]

No, Uncle and Aunt as used in the famous food products were terms used for "good" slaves (aka ones who willingly catered to whites with no attitude). There's nothing deragatory about calling your own uncles and aunts or your family friends "Uncle and Aunt". But used in those advertising, they are stereotypical and racist throwbacks to minstrel shows and slavery, plain and simple. There's a difference between calling a close family friend "Aunt" and calling your "*****" slave Aunt.

Google it or read the link I posted. There's a loooong history of racism in avdertising, especially here in America.

 

[MissMagAddict]

Whats wrong with the Gisele and Lebron cover?

Search back through the thread & you'll find pages of information & opinions on the subject.

 

[LetThemEatCake]

@ this thread and seeing the words Aunt Jemima

 

[aldn]

Well that's what i would like to change ideally. everyone should be included.

 

[MissMagAddict]

@ this thread and seeing the words Aunt Jemima

I know...it makes me hungry for pancakes every time

 

[xmodel citizen]

@ this thread and seeing the words Aunt Jemima

Hey, I find it interesting. I started learning about the history of racism in advertising recently and I think it's fascinating how something as simple as a pancake mix can be used as a tool to promote antiquated (or not so antiquated) racial stereotypes. It proves how much power and influence advertising and messages sent by the media have. They really have the power to shape public perception, which makes the state the fashion industry is in even sadder.

 

[LetThemEatCake]

^^I agree with you. I guess I need to read the whole thread. I noticed how long it had been in this forum and I had never clicked on it.