Jemele Hill wrote an article about the now infamous Vogue cover with LeBron James and Giselle Bündchen, saying that it had undertones reminiscent of King Kong and a frail white woman.
Although prejudice, stereotypes, and racism still exist today, this cover was from far from it—that's coming from a person who's also black and has experienced racism, stereotyping, and prejudice first-hand.
I applaud Skip Bayless, although I don't like him, for bringing up to Hill whether she was mad because LeBron is on the cover with a white woman.
She denied it! It couldn't be further from the truth.
Black women, as do white men, hate seeing black men with white women. I've also experienced this first-hand and any brother out there who's been there can co-sign me on this one.
I'm not trying to be purposely critical; I'm just stating the facts. I've had the dirty looks, the bad attitude, and everything you can think thrown my way as a result of dating out of my race.
Why are we always trying to create prejudice or stereotyping where there's none?
For somebody as careful with his image as LeBron, I doubt that he didn't have a say with how he'd appeared on the cover. Not to mention that all athletes do that "roar" during the games.
What's the problem with doing it on a cover of a magazine? Not to mention the photographer who doesn't come off as a bigot. Who knows!
Maybe this is the result of longtime oppression that create this thought where every little insinuation albeit here non-existent, into a stereotype or prejudice.
I think that Jemele Hill is a great writer, as she wouldn't be on ESPN if she wasn't, but I think she and other writers are reaching on this one.
Cry wolf anyone?
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6 months ago
I dig your point of view....I find it deplorable when the media finds controversary where none exists.
6 months ago
This is exactly what is wrong with this country and race!!, there is NOTHING racial about this cover,
it's fabulous, beautiful and has nothing!!! to do with race....G-d bless the media who has nothing better to do than stir up controversy, where there is none!!!
Good for you Vogue!!
6 months ago
Read your history people (Jack Johnson) King Kong??????????????????????????
6 months ago
I’m with everybody and millions of other Americans, who would say that race in not an issue with them. I’m sorry to say that there are still those Americans that do not want racism to die out like it should. I wish we could be a country where someone like Vogue could express themselves and have its meaning taken the way it was intended and not corrupted by those who want to gain that 15 minutes of fame by calling is something its not. I’m sorry you have so much time on you hands that you have to dream up this “controversy” or better yet I’m sorry you have a low self image of your self and others like you that you have to do this. Yes there is still such a thing as racism but who is more racist, those who put the pictures on the magazine or those who are calling them racist?? Come on America, no matter who you are descended from we can do better then this. This P.C. B.S. is destroying America as we know it! America was once looked at as the “Melting Pot”, as of late though, the fire was turned off. Whether you are an American of African descent, an American of Scottish/German decent (as I am), or an American of what ever descent, YOU are an American First, and that is how it should be! Not the other way around. Racism IS dieing, LET IT!!! Quit reviving it, and holding on to it, I’m tired of hearing about it!!!
from 6 months ago
if that were true we would. Its an issue because anything thats different reserves criticism. in life people like to define things and people don't like being defined, in this example it shows that an athletic, black male is more marketable as something barbaric, that is an example of my new term, racism via tolerance. It's still a factor with older rich white males, who own magazines like Vogue. They have influence just look at the republic party(yes i meant that grammatical error) If you believe that during the nomination process when a PBS debate was scheduled a debate then no-showed the most prominent "Black" republican in front of a packed auditorium of largely black students you see it still exists, check our prisons for confirmation its a minority but its there.
from 6 months ago
Ken, i've had the unfortunate opportunity to work for a company that worked on prisons, i've been to many across the U.S.A. it is very funny that to see people complain about who is in "their" local prisons. I've been in areas that the number of Americans of African decent out numbered the Americans of other decents, and wouldn't you know it there was a large number of Americans of African descent in jail compaired to others. There was a jail on an American Indian reservation and please prepare yourself, there were predominately American Indians in that jail. Go figure
6 months ago
Exactly right. This is just the media trying to stir up trouble wherever they can find it.
6 months ago
Right on Michael! Although I'm not the biggest fan of the media, this "controversy” is not the brain child of the media but that of a fellow American. The media is cowering behind a guise of we are just doing our job and just perpetuating the problem in stead of trying to stop it from the get go.
6 months ago
Right on Michael! Although I'm not the biggest fan of the media, this "controversy” is not the brain child of the media but that of a fellow American. The media is cowering behind a guise of we are just doing our job and just perpetuating the problem in stead of trying to stop it from the get go.
6 months ago
sorry everybody i'll try and fix my mouse clicks and stop posting twice.
6 months ago
that cover is BEAUTIFUL. and i think Vogue Magazine is too venerable to pander to racial hang ups.
6 months ago
it is always intriguing to me that instead of acknowledging issues as they are (racism, gender stereotypes, etc.), there are those who flee to the "ostrich syndrome" and stick their heads in the sand to avoid or negate what is in front of them. while the world is changing, point-of-views are evolving into a mature and thoughtful manner, racism DOES still exists whether you're tired of hearing about it or not. fortunately, many people are seemingly more conscious about how they think about people's differences and more open to intelligently respect those differences. the down side is that if the ostriches continue to walk around with blinders on instead of accepting what is real and dealing with ignorance head-on, we will constantly be in a downward spiral and the media will continue to help perpetuate racial stereotypes, as Vogue magazine did. Face it...in all the years that Vogue has existed, why is LeBron the first black male to grace its cover, particularly in light of all the other men who have been on the cover?
from 6 months ago
I know, I even said racism still exist, but don't you think it'd be a little weird if Lebron didn't have a say in how he appeared?? The whole thing was set up by Nike, you think they'd want Lebron to be portrayed in a negative light??? This is why i find the whole "blame vogue" thing really dumb. Lebron is too careful with his image to let people do what they want with his image.
from 6 months ago
How many males have donned the cover of Vogue???
from 6 months ago
Again this is where i found fault with her article, I think only about 2 or 3 men have been on the cover.
6 months ago
Jemele Hill is a moron, and she's the reason female sports writers are not, and in many cases should not, be taken seriously. There are good female writers out there, but she's definitely not one of them. She sounds like the racist one to me, comparing LeBron to King Kong? And she's black too? Wow...a town called hypocrisy must be a lovely place for her.
6 months ago
Good article but never ever say that Jemele Hill is a good writer. She's one of the worst out there.
6 months ago
There is something obviously very racist about the cover - the viewer. You see, we see and interpret images as we see the world. It is distorted by our own perception.
A picture of a little child to most people would be cute, but to a pedophile it is arousing. So it is with the Vogue cover. Anyone that sees racism in that picture is projecting their own racist attitude onto the picture. The Today Show had a black woman on this morning that said as soon as she saw the cover she though "gorilla." Really? To my credit I saw Lebron and Giselle and they seemed to be having fun. To see a gorilla takes a view of self-loathing towards one's own culture to a new level.
I think this photo actually is infinitely more important than anyone would first guess because it actually raises the question as to who is really racist? If you see something wrong with the picture then the answer is you.
from 6 months ago
You are putting in to words what my mind is thinking.
from 6 months ago
I have to agree w/ this anonymous writer. I was unfamiliar w/ the cover controversy and didn't see the cover until I started reading about the 'offensive' nature of it. Even with this slant, I still don't see a gorilla w/ a frail white woman. I see, as has been pointed out here, 2 people who appear to be having a good time w/ a photo shoot. LeBron is displaying some emotion - much like he might after a dunk at a key moment in a game.
I have to concur w/ the possibility that how one views this photo might have something to do w/ their own personal thoughts of society.
from 6 months ago
Agree!!!
6 months ago
Vogue has been in existence for 114 years but this is the first ever cover featuring a black male, and merely three other covers ever featured a black women. Vogue displays covers of extremely formal fashion and depicting refined elegance. This may be the first time Vogue has ever shown a face on their cover that could be viewed as angry or threatening, and Vogue chooses their first ever black male for this new look? It may not be possible to prove that this cover is racist, but Vogue's history of saying black people are not influential in the fashion industry does prove a history of racism from the Vogue editors.
6 months ago
Ok, lets end this, or at least think that we can. What do you think Lebron and Giselle? I haven't seen his comments on it yet, if and/or when they are out i can't wait to read them. I want to see that interview with that woman and Lebron. What is she going to tell him? It is being said that he had been on the choices of the front cover pics, I don't thinks he would want a negative image of himself on there. So how would this woman explain this to him? I want to see that interview.
6 months ago
Everyone knows when planning a photo shoot photographers and editors get together and discuss what message or theme they're trying to convey. This determines wardrobr, set/location, etc. After literally hundreds of frames (pictures) are taken they then select which one to use for the cover. Do you sincerely think this was a conincident?
6 months ago
"Black women, as do white men, hate seeing black men with white women. I've also experienced this first-hand and any brother out there who's been there can co-sign me on this one"
And black men hate seeing black women with white men, ask Halle Berry and Gercelle Beauvais-Nilon. Have you heard the comments regarding their newborns?
By the way, LeBron does look like a savage ape on this cover!
from 6 months ago
nah, man. When a black sees a black woman with a white man, they might make fun of it but they won't go any further than that. Trust me doggy, I been there, Black women hates that. They see it as white women taking all their good men and they end up being hurtful/hateful toward their white counterpart. That's just the way it is, ask any brother out there.
6 months ago
The fact that most white people don't seem to have a problem with the cover is very scary. Let's examine the cover carefully: a scary/angry looking black man (many are comparing to giant gorilla King Kong) holding a beautiful, delicate-looking white woman...why wouldn't that be considered offensive? Weren't black men hanged years ago when they were accused of hurting and/or threatening white women? Weren't black people jokingly compared with monkeys on a regular basis? I've heard that Vogue, in its over 100 years existence, has only had about 3 or 4 black people on their cover. This reinforces the notion that Vogue isn't over eager about putting blacks on the cover in the first place.
White people seriously need more sensitivity training; black peoples' gripes are legitimate, whether white people want to acknowledge that or not. Because of the legacy of racism--yes, black people--unlike white people--must be sensitive and protective of how they are portrayed in the media.
6 months ago
Well...I hate to play the Devil's advocate but that cover must be based on King Kong. Now, is there something racial about it? Not really. I dont think it is demeaning to Africa Americans. I do think it is demeaning for Lebron. If I was to pose on the cover of Vogue I'd demand to be portayed different to a huge, wild monkey.
They wouln't use the same pose for Barrak Obama or even Michael Jordan. They dont mean it, but they are making LeBron, not african americas, like a bug, wild monkey. If I was LeBron I'd be more careful with my image.
6 months ago
SERIOUSLY, HAS ANYONE SEEN THE LATEST "KING KONG" MOVIE, NAOMI WATTS IS
DRESSED EXACTLY AS BUDCHEN. THE EXPRESSION ON LeBRON'S FACE AND HOLDING
HER AS HE DOES, THE SAME AQUAMARINE DRESS.... IT WOULD BE NICE IF THE WOULD
WALK AROUND DAILY WITH OUR HEADS LOWERED WITH OUT LOOKING TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT
I AM SO TIRED OF AFRICAN AMERICANS BEING PUNISHED VERBALLY, ATTITUDES, ETC.
FOR BRINGING SUBLIMINAL OR NOT RACIST ISSUES TO THE FOREFRONT. WHUUUUUUUUU....
6 months ago
It's realy amazing how this has gone. I'll bet that if the King Kong reference wasn't ever brought up, the only thing that people would say is how scary it would be to meet him on the basketball court. Oops, i guess that's going to be concidered a racist statement. Me the white man (who by the way can't play basketball to save my life), is afraid of a black man. it's amazing how fast something can be taken out of context. How many times while watching a game has something similar to that pose been seen. How many times has someone played a game themselves screamed at an opposing player to intimidate them??? Until I hear that a camera crew member on the set of the photo shoot of this playing a tape of the editors of Vogue stating that they wanted a picture that will the most racists photo to put on the cover ever, i'm going to chalk this up to reverse racism at its' best.
6 months ago
not to be racist but i do think it looks like king kong and a white woman
6 months ago
keep the stereotypes about black men and Prozac white girls going Vogue! The picture was awesome! I like the way Labron has his mouth open like king kong and how this blondy is looking helpless but loving it. I hear lebron said he loved it. Of course he does. "Me ape you Jane"! . Don't blame Labron, most black athletes aren't the sharpest tool in the box. Maybe his smart white PR guys can eventually educate him! Lord knows he needs perspective .Tom Brady would never present himself in this manner. As as a black guy, I would way want to be a "Tom Brady " than Labron James any day! Gisele Bundchen would never approve of Tom doing something that would appear stereotyped! Black athletes simply don't get it ! If this is what it takes to get next to a super model, for get about it ,there are many other beautiful smart women who I can be next to without selling off my self worth! But you go Labron !!!!! KING KONG IS BACK !!!!
from 6 months ago
did u really just say "Don't blame Labron, most black athletes aren't the sharpest tool in the box." Obviously you arent the brightest crayon in the box because u cant even spell his name correctly. its LeBron and that comment you just left is not only racist but demoralizing to women
from 6 months ago
Are you serious???? It is comments and attitudes like the ones you express that demonstrate the highest level of ignorance!!!
from 6 months ago
My comment was left for Andre.
6 months ago
Perhaps all this type of arguement will only serve to make Vogue more money...perhaps checking Jemele Hill's bank account for any deposits from Vogue would be prudent.
6 months ago
How about what the guy on the today show said too? That is just LeBron's personality, an intense basketball player. People are saying Tom Brady wouldn't be intense--well duh! The guy also said someone like Jeremy Shockey, a white athlete, would appear intense too.
6 months ago
Plus, if you actually read the cover it says Giselle & LeBron, the world's top models and star athletes. So what do you want? Do you want LeBron looking like an athlete or not? You all keep saying he should've just posed "normal." People, he's just looking like an intense athlete and she's looking like a model. Do you want them both to look like models? Or perhaps you would like Giselle to pose like an athlete in a intense fashion?
6 months ago
You keep saying he's only one of a few black people to ever be on the cover, well he was only the third MAN to ever do so
6 months ago
I am an African American Woman. I think all the people who are turning this cover into a racial issue are just ridiculous and trying to make something into more than what it is.I mean this is an issue dedicated to bodies. And I'm sorry..that's LeBron James. He is exuberant and in your face on the court. Now If LeBron was a Noble Prize winning scientist who had cured cancer , then having him pose with a white woman with a basketball..Then YEAH , it would be racist..but last I checked.. HE PLAYS basketball for a living..And if you look at him on the court..this is what he does and looks like on the court. To all you Politically Correct" cry babies...sometimes a picture is just a picture..and You would probably see ALL Black Men with white women in
from 6 months ago
I agree with LaMonica. This is not a big deal, although they could have at least threw a suit on LeBron or something.
from 6 months ago
Lebron was the one picked the final Cover pictures like many other people who have appeared on the Cover.
from 6 months ago
I agree with Michael. Considering the fact that this is a *fashion* magazine, give him a suit and there's no problem whatsoever. It's not necessarily racist - though there are overwhelming racial undertones that are hard to avoid even without being PC - but I feel like the magazine could have done a more tasteful job.
6 months ago
I am so sorry to say this but america is still run by people whose goals are to keep black people in their place. say it's not so but this country is a haven for racist depictions.
6 months ago
Ralph, brother you nailed it! Vogue's cover merely showed that as LeBron said a big man is marketable!
6 months ago
I have tried and tried and tried to find the "scary/angry looking black man" on there. I must have vision issues because I don't see it. Oh, not that in the right circumstances James isn't scary...not once but twice this year he has personally ripped the heart out of the Blazers in wiping out double digit leads basically on his own. He is scary good. If you are his opponent, that is. And if you are walking on a street he drives down...yeah, that might make you nervous if he hasn't slowed down a bit from the much-publicized incidents earlier in his career. But seeing him in a pose reminiscent of breaking out of the triple threat position on his way to a lay in that looks easy for him but is near impossible for others while standing next to someone doing what she does best as scary? I call shenanigans.
I actually posted a piece on this on my personal blog where I pointed out that until it was mentioned it was a black man with a white woman that had not even occurred to me. Perhaps it is just my readership but the comments were pretty much unanimous and along the lines of "I saw an athlete and a model". And perhaps that is a hopeful sign because the majority of us have reached a point where that is what we see...people at the pinnacle of their profession and someone has to point out the differences before they occur to us.
Big ups to James for standing up and doing what he wants and telling the objectors where to stick it. Here is hoping he gets a title in the near future.
from 6 months ago
"And if you are walking on a street [LeBron James] drives down...yeah, that might make you nervous if he hasn't slowed down a bit from the much-publicized incidents earlier in his career."
-Umm, I'm interested to see which much-publicized incidents you are talking about here. I'm from Cleveland. Last time I checked LeBron hasn't had any incidents. Like...I don't know of anything he has done that's even questionable. He has two kids with the same long-standing girlfriend but they aren't married. Sue him.
"I saw an athlete and a model" is just too utopian for me. I don't have too much of a problem with the Vogue cover (it's just a picture) but it annoys me when people completely avoid any topic of race and try to stress something else.
No, the Vogue cover wasn't racist, but the negative connotations about a big, athletic, angry black male and a petite white woman do have some historical significance. As I said before, it's just a picture, but I'm bothered by the people who ignore the fact that there might even *potentially* be any type of racial connotations.
But I have a slightly different perspective. Carry on.
6 months ago
What a BRILLIANT article. Because i saw the "fight" as it was going on tv and for those of you who didnt see it...Ralph hit the nail on the head
6 months ago
Hey Matt, I wont get into a hip-hop type debate with you about misspells and bad grammar, you guys got me on that one. Labron... uuurrhh ... I meant LeBron and you just don't get it but it's o.k. (noticed, however, I did spelled Giselle correctly) LOOKIT, If pointing making a minute examination is important to you then feel good my friend. On your point ,about my statements: IT IS WHAT IT IS ! lastly, it would be impossible for me to be a racist. For I know " the invisible man "my friend. So turn off the the rap music (bill was right!) and meet Ralph Ellison , then maybe you will understand why and how games are played before your very eyes as you gleefully watch with enthusiasm.................
6 months ago
P.S. Matt . I don't need some dork telling (like you) me (as a black guy) what's what, o.k? Just because you are down with JZ and have gone to a snoop dog concert dose not give you the sophomoric right to define who you think I am or should be. That's what's wrong here. Dorks like you taking your point of view from the negative and stereotypical views of rap music , hip hop ,MTV and lately vogue. Comical!
The invisible Man!!
from 6 months ago
okay lets see just because you're black means that you know absolutely everything about rap music obviously, and how would i ever know you're black, ok, and just because im white means that i listen to rap music, and just because im white i know absolutely nothing about rap music, if we're gonna play that card, then just because you're black it means ur a stupid lazy pig who cant get a job, you eat all the white man's chicken, breathe all the white man's air with your wide nose, and you're dirty and live in the ghetto, but im not stereotypical, and you might not meet an of the above, but lets face the facts your argument makes absolutely no sense, you jump from one thing to another to keep from being wrong, and just plain make up stuff, so please don't waste our time with you're nonsensical tangents and act like you actually know something.
6 months ago
andre you're gay
6 months ago
OK, what if it was just LeBron by himself on the cover without the hot chick. Do we still say "gorilla." No, of course not, as we've seen thousands of pictures of the King with a fierce competitive expression posterizing some hapless would-be defender. This means that really, the only reason we're talking here is because a hysterical journalist was looking for a story. Look, we all know that racism is unfortunately a problem, but it seems like the threat of racism is the more contagious creature. This inversely over-PC attitude is as destructive as the problem itself because it finds racism EVERYWHERE instead of focusing on legitimate problems that could actually further society. Do you actually think that somehow LeBron got duped by Vogue? Do you think that the King didn't review the photographs and give them his personal OK? And honestly, if he gave them his OK then that's all we really need to hear. If LeBron didn't think it was racist, why should we? I do agree that they were going for King Kong imagery. His name is the "King" afterall. Would it somehow be better if they dressed him up as Elvis (another King) or Louis XIII? I imagine the graceland people would be bitching in the former and the French in the later. Personally, I thought the "King" Kong imagery was clever: he's a larger than life type of figure. We shouldn't be afraid of the fact that somewhere some redneck know-nothing is snickering at some imagined innuendo (though honestly they may not have even got it). Lumping us in with those jerks won't do anything to further race relations, and in fact, carries some back-handed implications with it too.
6 months ago
P.S. Matt . I don't need some dork telling (like you) me (as a black guy) what's what, o.k? Just because you are down with JZ and have gone to a snoop dog concert dose not give you the sophomoric right to define who you think I am or should be. That's what's wrong here. Dorks like you taking your point of view from the negative and stereotypical views of rap music , hip hop ,MTV and lately vogue. Comical!
The invisible Man!!
6 months ago
Only someone anonymous and cowardly would make a lame statement like that anonymous. ......
6 months ago
andre, you obviously have absolutely no idea what youre talking about
6 months ago
ya seriously i am with you man
6 months ago
ya seriously i am with you man
6 months ago
John:
I guess neither does Bill Cosby ,Dr. Rice(secretary of state), Tiger Woods or Oprah for that matter either ,huh? I don't know what you mean,I don't know what I'm talking about?? This is serious dude ,turn off the mindless rap music for a second. You like the( vogue ) image because it's easier for you to accept this as reality. People who have self respect know better. Those like you, however, hate us who instead select intelligence and self respect over a Jerry Springer mentality with Reality T.V. influences. That's how many of you have learned over the past years about other groups (erroneously, to say the least) So insult me, if you will john . I have a pretty good life and none of it came from Affirmative action programs or embracing a stereo type just to get a clap from you. You hate me ? Why of course you do. I wont ever except your concept of what black is or what it should be. NEEEEEEVER!
6 months ago
As for you Matt, I wont further waste my time or yours on this matter. This is not the the "Dave Chappelle's -dirty dozen hour". I regret that my view is a new revelation for you(something that maybe the rap and hip hop community may never have mentioned to you before) . But it's cool. I will save my views for another venue that includes a more informed group. (black and white). hmm "making stuff up",how funny? Yep, I made up Ralph Ellison -"Invisible man ". But I have a funny suspicion that it went right over your head smart guy . So, never mind you can get back to your X box.....
from 6 months ago
OK Andre I get your point...Read Invisible Man. Well, in fact I read Invisible Man, it was a great book. But for the purpose of making an argument in this comment section on Bleacher Report, could you please elaborate and tell us why this is significant to your argument? There is no need to make sweeping statements about Condi Rice and Bill Cosby here...we are talking about "Why Jemele Hill Is Wrong/Right" for her article about LeBron James and Giselle. I think you have potentially made a great point involving the Invisible Man but you need to actually provide some substance to tell us how parts of that book are important in analyzing LeBron's supposed stereotyping of himself.
But all you have done is make sweeping assumptions about some white guy who you assume watches Dave Chappelle and listens to hip hop. Please, for the sake of your argument, tell us why "black athletes don't get it" and why LeBron looks like King Kong
6 months ago
The conspiracy is that there is no conspiracy...
Doesn't mean to say the picture from content to meaning is right or indeed wrong, that it will or wont cause offense, as well as many other variables we are just blowing in the wind.
The only thing for sure is, we don't know what was intended and what was not...
To much jive already spoken on this, cut to it and overall the feeling is we would have wished for better no matter what side you take.
If you don't dig the picture speak up articulate yourself write an article, if you do like it speak up articulate yourself write an article.
6 months ago
It is racist and jemele hill is not a great writer.... shes a loser
6 months ago
If blacks find the cover offensive then it is. Why offend people? Why not be culturally sensitive?
I wouldn't want to see glorified Nazis on covers of magazines. It's not for whites to say if it is offensive to blacks. How arrogant is that?
I agree that there should be more black editors on magazines so that we have a balanced perspective.
I definately agree with most non-censorship, but some things are culturally insensitive and cannot be "explained away".
6 months ago
From the article... "Why are we always trying to create prejudice or stereotyping where there's none?"
There is prejudice in everything...
Does it not require some conversation about the fact it depicts woman in an uncomplimentary light also?
If the King Kong image is what they were going for, the classic film image done by a classic fahionista magazine...
The big wigs may not have calculated the fall out, but they sure are licking there lips at the extra controversy and free publicity it has caused...
Perfect for that kind of magazine, it duly gives them a false sense of being cutting edge...
6 months ago
Ralph, good article! I agree with you, LeBron is too smart and too powerful to not have some sort of power over his image. Honestly, if you look at that cover and see King Kong, isn't that racist in itself? I didn't see it. The only similarity that could be made with King Kong is color contrast and the fact that King James is pretty dang tall in comparison.
Every time I see an NBA player make a dunk, it seems like I see a similar pose to the one that LeBron has on that cover. One of my favorite writers, Jason Whitlock, also had something to say on this. You might want to check it out: http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7955740/Am-I-supposed-to-be-mad-about-LeBron?GT1=39002
from 6 months ago
Jason Whitlock has the edge on the argument much agreed Rob...
6 months ago
I am reminded of a Christmas South Park episode where the Jews were offended by the Christian imagery and the Christians were offended by Santa Clause, and the Atheists were offended by the word "God" at all. The point? You're always going to offend somebody. So when anonymous says,"Why offend people? Why not be culturally sensitive," it's important to remember that we are a culturally diverse nation, and to go about trying to not offend anyone would lead to a dearth of literature, art, and generally most anything interesting. Art, as the Vogue cover must certainly be considered now, is supposed to push these buttons. It's supposed to get you thinking about society as it exists today, and how we would change it. Change is good. It was not so long ago that the way not to offend someone was to agree that women should not be allowed to vote, and that schools should be segregated. Thank the Lord (oops is that offensive?) that not everybody is so "sensitive."
from 6 months ago
wow, thats perfectly put. i dont know if anyone could have said it any better
6 months ago
Daniel good points . But you, like others, have failed to realize that some of us who are black do not consider certain controversial issues demonstrated by (some) blacks as the standard of the black American culture or experience. That's what most on this blog missed. Take ,if you will, some of the folks (who are white) who we know have psychological defects and are played out on shows like Jerry Springer. I would never suggest that this must be the true essence of the white culture. I know for a fact, my white friends would never act that way and they don't feel those people and their behavior represent their own view of white American culture. Hey, I am the most conservative person you will ever meet. One would never see me at a Jessie Jackson or Al Sharpton rally. If a jewish person were to look a cover on a magazine and said to me , "thats not my depiction of what being a jewish is about" , I will not augured with him or her about their remarks (like some here have augured with me ). I love "family guy" and some of the jokes they make about minorities and even whites crack me up! I love it! But on a much larger scale , I know of no group who would want the weakest behaviors of their group made bigger than life in order to serve a contrived agenda by another group............
from 6 months ago
"I know of no group who would want the weakest behaviors of their group made bigger than life in order to serve a contrived agenda by another group............"
I couldn't agree with you more. I guess the issue comes down to whether or not the Vogue cover was actually doing that, or instead was playing for a modern take on classic cinematography, and happened to blunder into something larger. My intuition is that the later was the case, but I suppose we'll never know. Either way, it has definitely touched a passionate nerve, and I've got to believe that these types of conversations need to take place. It puts some things into perspective and illustrates the distance we still need to travel.
6 months ago
Well stated Daniel. thank you.
6 months ago
You are so so right on this one and Jemele's myopic comments are possibly born from having a secret resentment towards interrracial couples. I am a blackman who has a white mom and my older sister by two years is 100% white. Over the years when out with my sister, I would get the most hateful stares from a minority of black women, some who even suggested I was a sellout for dating a white woman. For one it's my sister for God's sake and if it wasn't I can damn well do what I please. People should be allowed to date whom they choose and be pictured with whom they choose. This is 2008 America and we have come a long way since the asinine miscegenation laws of the 20th and 19th centuries and I for one do not believe that I or anyone else should voluntarily retreat to such a hopelessly restrictive pass.
Edward in Los Angeles
6 months ago
"And if you are walking on a street [LeBron James] drives down...yeah, that might make you nervous if he hasn't slowed down a bit from the much-publicized incidents earlier in his career."
-Umm, I'm interested to see which much-publicized incidents you are talking about here. I'm from Cleveland. Last time I checked LeBron hasn't had any incidents. Like...I don't know of anything he has done that's even questionable. He has two kids with the same long-standing girlfriend but they aren't married. Sue him."
Ah, mostly I was shooting for levity. But the incident I refer to was on his 23rd birthday, Dec. 30th, 2007 when he was pulled over for 101 mph in a 65 mph zone. http://blog.cleveland.com/metro/2008/01/lebron_james_traveling_in_fast.html
Sad to see some of the reaction (not referring to the reply to my comment, more replying to the overall thread) to the original article devolve into name-calling and insults. For a while there was some constructive debate.
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