Racial Diversity In Modeling

[jennifer~]

Why do you hate it? I'm black and I don't have a problem with it at all. I'm not African-American because I'm from the U.S, not Africa, so I don't find anything wrong with it.

Once I read a blurb which actually described Naomi herself as an "African-American" supermodel, obviously written by an author wanting to avoid the term black, and lacking an alternative. You can guess the irony! I'll never forget that...

 

[jennifer~]

There's something jarring about seeing an Asian or some other ethnic race in a really French, marie-antoinette ballgown.

Actually, I'm a huge fan of such.

 

[Beena533]

There's something jarring about seeing an Asian or some other ethnic race in a really French, marie-antoinette ballgown.

Does this mean that people should wear whatever stereotype clothing is assigned to them? The best part about fashion is that people can wear whatever they please, regardless of race. Maybe women should stick to skirts, because seeing them in pants is a bit disturbing,

 

[Zen]

There's something jarring about seeing an Asian or some other ethnic race in a really French, marie-antoinette ballgown.

Not all coutures look that way.

I could see it being a bit awkward to see a black woman dressed in a "marie-antoinette ball-gown", acting as Marie Antoinette on a theatre stage, but come on! This is just a piece of clothing. When I see clothing, I see beautiful design and yes, I will notice a pretty face too. But I'm not going to have a "jarring" reaction because a black, or an asian model is walking in couture.

 

[Joseph26]

Naomi is asking for something very minimal in the huge picture of things - to use different and more diverse models. She isn't asking for people to give models of color more respect than white ones, but the same respect the white ones get.

respect? who is being irrespectful with black models? I don't understand that obsession with Vogue, there's Ebony and Essence for black ones just like there are Vanidades and Latina Magazine for Latin women.

Vogue is ok how it is right now, if there is a talented black woman like Jennifer Hudson or a Latina like Salma Hayek they will be on the Vogue cover but it doesn't have to be an obligation.

Naomi is a fake, we don't forget all the hate she had for Tyra Banks and Brandi Quiñones, she wanted to be the only black model in the bussiness, here you can see how mad she is with Brandi Quiñones, just hear what she says.

 

[seanutbutter]

respect? who is being irrespectful with black models? I don't understand that obsession with Vogue, there's Ebony and Essence for black ones just like there are Vanidades and Latina Magazine for Latin women.

Today I actually considered this very subject, the fact that there are magazines devoted to a certain race, and wondered why it hadn't been mentioned in this thread previously. When you think about it, there isn't a definite difference between having strictly black models in magazines like Ebony and having strictly white models in Vogue.

 

[kahlilg]

Oh no doubt Naomi was a huge hater. So I can see why a person would wonder if what Naomi is saying is something that should be listened to.

The reason why those magazines were started is because there was a time where Vogue did not want models of color. The first time Vogue had a black model on the cover, she was forced to cover her face (see Favorite Top African and Black Models.) The reason they still exist is because they still aren't being used as much as models in Vogue.

The difference between American Vogue and say Essence is that Vogue does not promote itself as a magazine emphasizing white-american models and white american-culture. Why? Because that is the dominating culture. The U.S. is a white dominated society. The moment when Vogue becomes more diverse is the moment when we won't need Essence anymore.

 

[kahlilg]

Why do you hate it? I'm black and I don't have a problem with it at all. I'm not African-American because I'm from the U.S,

Thank you. I find it more inclusive and I also find "African_American" too long. Of course there are times when people will be talking about "African-American's" exclusively, but I much prefer the term 'black.'

Yeah it has nothing to do with the post but I'd thought I'd share.

 

[fouroclock]

respect? who is being irrespectful with black models? I don't understand that obsession with Vogue, there's Ebony and Essence for black ones just like there are Vanidades and Latina Magazine for Latin women.

I agree with kahlilg. And I`m gonna expand the point in which it`s condescending to tell minorities that they have their own magazines. It fragments society, it doesn`t solve any issues. It`s actually reminiscent of mel Gibson telling Mayans to go make their own movie.

 

[carioca]

There's something jarring about seeing an Asian or some other ethnic race in a really French, marie-antoinette ballgown.

it's your opinion but i find it more "jarring" when i see a white european model being transformed with make-up into looking Asian or some other ethnicity for an editorial concept. why not just get an Asian model? it just goes to show that we aren't as accepting as we believe to be.

 

[carioca]

respect? who is being irrespectful with black models? I don't understand that obsession with Vogue, there's Ebony and Essence for black ones just like there are Vanidades and Latina Magazine for Latin women.

Vogue is ok how it is right now, if there is a talented black woman like Jennifer Hudson or a Latina like Salma Hayek they will be on the Vogue cover but it doesn't have to be an obligation.

Naomiis a fake, we don't forget all the hate she had for Tyra Banks and Brandi Quiñones, she wanted to be the only black model in the bussiness, here you can see how mad she is with Brandi Quiñones, just hear what she says.

the reason why there are race oriented magazines is because magazines such as VOGUE won't represent them, hence they make their own to let the public be aware that there are other types of beauty than a blue eyed, blonde haired, white skin woman.

and regardless if you like or dislike Naomi, she has a valid argument and it's shameful that people haven't questioned this fact. it doesn't have to be an "obligation" as you said for magazines to put ethnic models on the cover, but the fact is that most of the time they are completely ignored. just because it doesn't bother you who is on the cover and who isn't and because you are happy with the status quo doesn't mean that it is right to alienate races that are OTHER than yours. it's time for a change, and if there are people who continually accept the norm then nothing in the world would have ever changed!!!!!!

 

[dizzytacks]

Question- how many black models are there in comparison to white models, even if the casting isn't racially motivated the numbers speak for themselves

 

[kahlilg]

You tell em dizzytacks!!! I mean after all who cares that black women, hold on, WOMEN OF COLOR PERIOD are told they aren't beautiful enough I mean it's their fault they don't want to model.

And just because you don't see a bunch of black models doesn't mean they aren't there. It means no one is paying attention to them! And that's what this thread is about.

 

[Retro]

At least she plans to do something about it rather than just complaining.

 

[kahlilg]

And please do not take what I just said as "Everyone thinks white women are perfect!" I know that even in that there is classism, ableism, ageism etc. And even more than that white women are still being treated as second class citizens by white men, but that's a whole other rant. My point is, even though I will admit I think things are getting better, white women have been seen as the "perfect women."

 

[dizzytacks]

that is totally socialised, so your sonception of "the perfect woman" is just that "your" conception...

 

[kahlilg]

Are you one of those people who think that there is only racism if we want there to be?

Because if you are I guess you and I have to agree to disagree and stop here.

 

[dizzytacks]

i took a race and racism class, and it opened my eyes up ALOT, i was oblivious before but now i am just a little paranoid, i still havent decided what i think about racism, but i am constantly trying to learn more, in america racism is completely connected to the american economy and it flourishes on it but that could be a huge discussion, so what i am trying to say is america feeds off of racism and the media propagates it...

 

[kahlilg]

I'll save my snark and say, I really hope you don't think that since you took ONE class you think you know all you need to know about racism. And no, I am not claiming I know all I need to know about racism. You can't learn everything in a class room setting.

america feeds off of racism and the media propagates it...

Okay, so what is your problem with what Naomi is saying?

 

[misssakura]

Why do you hate it? I'm black and I don't have a problem with it at all. I'm not African-American because I'm from the U.S, not Africa, so I don't find anything wrong with it.

Because I don't like being called "white" either. I'm not "white", I'm British. Sorry I just think culture is more important than the skin colour.