Of course they discriminate because they are black but black americans really are perceived differently here in Europe I mean we only see what is depicted on tv. You cant tell their nationality but when I go abroad i feel the difference.
It hasnt always been that way, I think people need to remember that there is abit of hostility between France and the U.S. over Iraq and the cultures are quite opposite. The current regime hasnt helped! Don't worry all my american tfs friends that should be over soon!
Yet when I was in Paris ppl thought I was Francophone because there are plenty of french-speaking definitely non-american black people who live in France... Even when I was in Luzern (CH), some ppl would talk to me in swiss german or french first...so I don't buy that these ppl associate Black to American only.
Also some of the world-known black women in modeling famously aren't Americans--Naomi Campbell and Iman, etc.
I think this nationality excuse as a basis of discrimination against black models isn't valid...i get the point yer trying to make that BET culture soiled the rep of blacks all over the world, but the big-name black models don't look like videovixens...the fact that they are associated as such is...well, racist.
Also people and the media cherrypick which images they want to apply to blacks... there are plenty of positive/non-threatening images and fictional examples of black people and black families available on the american and international market. -- bob marley to josephine baker to lauryn hill to will smith movies -- It isn't Black America's fault that the most popular "black music" imports to Europe or white american suburbs are mostly negative...what does that say about
your culture and what Europeans or non-black americans are expecting or even demanding from Black people?
Let's be real:
Black isn't Beautiful at the moment according to the agencies, some mag editors, and some designers. This has nothing to do with the War in Iraq, BET, black women not being "strong enough" or "having the 'in' body type".
Also a strong black model can and has done non-euro/non-north american markets. There is work for black models
especially if they look vaguely mixed in Asia...and especially if the product is being marketed as "urban" or "edgy"...
Finally, isn't the topic of the thread... "
Campbell criticises Vogue for lack of black models" ...I don't know about anyone else, but that reads political to me.
Off topic.......
Ta-ta said:
"Probably the most touching for me was a slideshow of American supporters abroad in which a number of old white guys in countries around the world (against the backdrop of structures older than our country) were giving the black power salute. There's something you don't see every day."
-- Just because an old white man gives a black power salute doesn't mean he is truly in solidarity with black people. In fact, these old white men disrespect black folks in thinking that they are entitled to give a black power salute...
. i clicked the commenter's url link to see what kind of person would think that such an insensitive comment was appropriate?it linked to her blog in which she explains she has lived in various parts of Asia 
.
It felt so good worshipping WORTHY black images for a change. It was the type of editorial that I've been waiting for a black person to do. 
