Why Hire A Black Model When You Could Just Paint A White One?

[kayman23]

Yes, there is a huge difference. The blackface I posted was for entertainment. The African Queen thing was for deception. Her skin was darkened, but it was far from the artificial, over-exaggerated makeup of the travelling minstrel.

It's nice to know you are another (sic) white (sic) gay male that doesn't give a shit about racism because it isn't homophobia.

***NOTE TO SELF*** Remember to lambaste him when he makes an order comment about non-whites or homophobia being so wrong ***NOTE TO SELF***

 

[kayman23]

I'm not making apologies for the brain-dead, dopey, delusional, ditzes in the US clothes industry…

but perhaps they wanted what makes this TV actor so popular.

I don't know.

Even if they were, Jesse Williams, the actor/model you just depicted is actually biracial. They could have avoided this by I don't know getting actual biracial model.... *SMH*

 

[gsdx]

It's nice to know you are another (sic) white (sic) gay male that doesn't give a shit about racism because it isn't homophobia.

What in hell makes you think I don't give a shit about racism? You've been here over 5 years and you haven't got a clue about my stand on racism? Seriously?

I've been called a lot of things in my decade in this forum, but I've never, EVER been called racist!

That is a very serious and libelous allegation and I can't believe that you would even dare to suggest that I am.

 

[bankside]

Blackface, Yellowface, Brownface have been used to historically demean black and Asian people. Whiteface doesn't carry the same kind of racist historical baggage. I realize you're in another part of the world but they're not viewed in the same light over here so that's why you're noticing the different reaction.

Do you find it problematic when people do not recontextualise their reactions to things based on a story coming from a different part of the world?

Everyone posting here is in "another part of the world" compared to someone else, and I think it makes sense to analyse the meaning of the photoshoot within the context of its intended audience, and not apply, for example, perspectives on racial identity politics / historical baggage that might only work in one country.

The reaction should not really be based on the experience of the observer in their home country, but instead by taking into account what art has to say about identity and ethnicity in the actual location where this magazine was published.

 

[bankside]

He's from an Asian country, so its understandable that he wasn't aware of why Yellowface is problematic to Western audiences-- especially ones of Asian descent. And it's also understandable that he was unfamiliar with the issue regarding problematic depictions of Asians in our media and the lack of representation they're faced with due to 'whitewashing' of their roles.

In this day and age, as people around the world get more and more exposure to various cultures (and their cultural sensitivities), it's important for all of us to try to respect each others boundaries. It's called "cross-cultural sensitivity" and it's important in today's world, especially for business and organizations participating in a global market/vying for international prominence.




Numéro also did a photoshoot of a black mom and her child...with a black child and a white model in blackface and an afro wig.

http://images.nymag.com/images/2/daily/2010/09/27_numero_560x375.jpg

This is being viewed within the context of the ongoing discussion regarding diversity inside the fashion industry in the Western world. Specifically, the lack of opportunities for many PoC models (due to widespread, exclusionary practices that favor white models). In that context, it is a slap in the face to working PoC models. Having white women getting paid to fill in for them when they are already struggling in the industry is totally inappropriate and it just further marginalizes them. The 'artistic intent' of painting white models darker in photo-shoots or runway shows isn't happening in a vacuum where PoC representation is no longer an issue. I'm sure it's fabulous to be a Temporary WoC, then go off to get booked for the plethora of jobs available to white models only. All while WoC are getting constantly turned away because "that look isn't in/this look is too ethnic/that look isn't appropriate for this show we need a neutral palette."

Furthermore, the fashion industry has a long history of doing problematic things when it comes to race. Fetishizing PoC, cultural appropriation, using PoC as human props in photo-shoots to provide an 'exotic/wild/savage background' for their white models. etc etc etc There is no shortage of racism controversies when it comes to this industry.

If someone goes out of their way to 'play on race' for the purposes of art, go ahead. Just be prepared to deal with individuals who are in no way entertained and amused by it. Freedom of expression/artistic freedom doesn't give you immunity from criticism.

There is nothing new or edgy about any of it. It's just really tedious.

Okie we're so close...
First, I agree that European societies have real problems with ethnic exclusion, colour based hierarchy, equality of opportunity.
Second, I can work with your point about a global audience; clearly we've learnt of this publication because the Internet has extended the global reach of many publications.

But in contrast to thinking that the world should not be surprised to discover western distaste at the concept of yellowface, my point is that western critics need to use that cross-cultural awareness to understand the meaning of this publication within the context of its originating culture. And not to judge it through the lens of their western/American eyes.

I would be shocked if American Vogue did this given the context in the states. ; it would have a different cultural context, a wider global reach and a broader audience towards which the publishers would have some editorial responsibility. But Numéro? A regional publication for a French audience with to put it politely, far less reach? (I've never even heard of them before)

I know what i would make of that publication in the US. I don't know how to contextualise it in the discussion of racism within Europe I don't know enough history so I reserve judgement. I don't think it has the same meaning there, as published, which is something critics need to take into account. If it is problematic, the resolution would also likely be very different than in other parts of "the west." I know at the very least the magazine has no editorial responsibility to take into account criticism that fails to observe the meaning for the intended audience and seems to be more reflective of racial history and preoccupations in another country. To do otherwise would be to insist on a strangely imperialistic program of decolonialism.

Incidentally, if American Vogue were to use this kind of imagery, I think it would only be credible and positive with a very wide ranging selection of models transgressing a variety of ethnic images, and under the editorial supervision of someone with significant civil rights history and experience. I think it would also matter to see Vogue accept clients only on terms that would ensure diversity within their pages. With those criteria I can imagine a successful project.

Bottom line however, there is a gulf of difference between the image in Numéro and blackface. Blackface existed for the purpose of mockery and because only white people could be entrusted to portray black people with the lack of dignity required to uphold racist belief. Whatever the intent of the Numéro image, I don't think that was it. If that was the intent it failed.

Finally, white people do not generally describe themselves as White people unless they are part of some fringe race-based fascist group. It is not an identity or an ethnicity; it is only an adjective describing a relative lack of melanin in the skin. I find its use when capitalised to be unconventional and jarring. Possibly it reflects a deliberate choice to racialise white people or to "contain" them within an ethnicity, or to construct a sense of collective identity on behalf of white people who generally do not think of themselves as a collective. I understand that to be the rationale behind acknowledging a shared sense of identity in referring to the "Black community." If it is deliberate for those reasons, so be it, though understand it will be opposed on the grounds that it is an alien and divisive identity. If it is an inadvertent spelling done in parallel with a writer's choice to capitalise "Black," then please stop. The only "White" people are in a bunker in the woods somewhere fucking goats and watching Mel Gibson films or tripping over their red shoelaces while dropping their copy of Mein Kampf into a mud puddle.

Sorry about the long sidebar.

Oh, and the last image- I don't think the makeup is intended to represent ethnicity. It is intended to represent charcoal grey.

 

[PreTTy PeTe]

only twats would be upset about this.

and twats have no idea about the fashion world.

 

[kayman23]

What in hell makes you think I don't give a shit about racism? You've been here over 5 years and you haven't got a clue about my stand on racism? Seriously?

I've been called a lot of things in my decade in this forum, but I've never, EVER been called racist!

That is a very serious and libelous allegation and I can't believe that you would even dare to suggest that I am.

Oh, shut the fuck up talking to me with that "I've never been called" bullshit !

Where in the fuck have I called you 'racist' you? I said, "It's nice to know you are another (sic) white (sic) gay male that doesn't give a shit about racism because it isn't homophobia". If your ass cannot get that means you are clearly displaying all-out willful ignorance and negligence towards racial bias and racism then you are beyond help. If my intent was to call you a racist, then I would have called you one. I called you a "willful ignoramus that worries only about homophobia rather than racism, racial bias, and racial prejudice".

In other words, don't expect LGBTs of color to give a flying fuck about your own whines of homophobia when you cannot give a fuck about racial bias.

 

[bankside]

In other words, don't expect LGBTs of color to give a flying fuck about your own whines of homophobia when you cannot give a fuck about racial bias.

That's really unhelpful. Seriously? Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. Oh, and the rest of us too.

 

[bankside]

Let's have some more of our African Princess...

The more I see of this shoot, the goofier it looks. Some of the accessories are pretty though.

Agreed. Thanks for finding the pix.

Anyway, Numero has issued an apology, saying that they have a black model on the cover of the upcoming Numero Man and Naomi Campbell on their Russian issue:



And so did the photographer, he was supposedly going for a "mix of cultures" and a "Moroccan" look and it didn't translate well at all:



Source: HuffPo

Welp, that's two blackface controversies from Numero. Can't wait for the next one and what misunderstandings will be in store for us then. ~

I think the manner of apology is even more annoying.

"Sorry sorry sorry - we didn't mean it" OKAY QUICK - RUSH OUT THE BLACK PEOPLE…GET NAOMI for gods sake….

I would expect to hear much more from them about what they were trying to accomplish. From the photographer too. If they're not even willing to defend it as having artistic integrity….

 

[kayman23]

That's really unhelpful. Seriously? Talk about shooting yourself in the foot. Oh, and the rest of us too.

Uh Bankside, if you haven't noticed by now...I don't care when it comes to that. The analogy is very obvious.

There is no excuse for that type of willful ignorance especially these days amongst any racial/ethnic/sexual minorities. An inequity is an inequity, and when somebody give a tacit pass to such then they deserve whatever ridicule or ambivalence from others they are going to get.

 

[Hellax24]

I went searching and found and tumbler thread. This post broke my heart esp. as a PoC.

http://cuterest-uterus.tumblr.com/p...bits-of-the-conversation-regarding-shirley-qs

http://www.tumblr.com/tagged/blackface

With that I am done. People who don't get it, won't ever get it. They do not exist in the bubble and cannot comprehend.

CXXX