I'm sorry I don't buy it. I think this was a photo chose from a lot of options, but ultimately chosen to depict an athlete and a model. This is the "Shape Issue", and these two represent different shapes.

I don't know if they knew about this particular poster but the first time I saw this cover I thought it was pretty interesting that they decided to use a photo in which she looks so obviously scared. Unless she was hysterically crying tears of cellulite in all the others ones, I don't know why they picked this one.

whether or not the editors of vogue intentionally used the brute image as their inspiration for the representation of lebron james on their cover, the real shame is that we are all feeding the machine by acknowledging the stereotypes and racist undertones. i imagine that if there was some malicious intent in their actions, their satisfaction would be somewhat decreased if we didn't acknowledge said maliciousness at all. why give them credit? why not just celebrate the fact that king james is on the cover of a white-targeted magazine?

Wow. Did I read that right Rosa? Ignore racism and it will go away?

Do you ever feel like you are banging your head against a wall, Cord? Here you are– showing them side by side PICTURES– not even resorting to all of your "fancy book learning" and they STILL refuse to see.

I'm going to go back to reading my Bonilla-Silva now. I suggest others do the same. Clearly some of you need him more than I do.

Ignore it and it will go away?

Oh, and he should be happy he's allowed to mocked by white people?

meep, we are comment twins how cute…

playla–
It's no surprise that we're twinsies. Your name links to a chronicle of higher ed site! No wonder you "get it."

Aww man I thought it linked to a Sausage Pizza Party Pornosite…I gotta change that!

I agree wholeheartedly that we are not a color-blind nation, and that to ignore issues when dealing with race will not to make them go away. But I’ll restate my earlier opinion; I do not think that there was an error in judgment made at Vogue magazine; I think the blunder exists outside the realms of a fashion magazine.
Bonilla-Silva, the professor of sociology at Duke University, guess what, he’s somewhat obscure. I had to google the shit out of that guy, but thanks for the suggestion on reading material (seriously).

I kind of wonder that maybe they hadn't seen that particular poster, and didn't know how closely they were copying the imagery. I think the truly sad thing is that, even if they hadn't seen the poster, this type of imagery is so engrained in our culture and consciousnesses that it gets re-created over and over again, intentionally or not.

When I saw this cover on the newstand my first thought was "why is Giselle on there?". The cover would have been much better with just LeBron - she looks almost photoshopped in or something. I'm a whitey so maybe I just don't get some racial undertones.

Giselle certainly does not look helpless. And they are both so fucking rich so it's hard to empathize with either of them. Lebron James had a $90 million Nike contract before he even played a game in the NBA and Giselle is the highest paid model in the world. Those stats should be what's making people uncomfortable.

Gisele doesn't look as helpless as the woman in the poster, but she also doesn't look particularly powerful. She's off balance, leg positioned like she's being pushed/carried on his thigh, with his arm holding her up. He's powerful, balanced, leaning slightly forward and making a strong (and menacing?) face. Their body dynamics are totally opposite. Weakness and aggression. It's undeniable that there are some serious racial and gender undertones enacted in this photo, no matter how much money either of them makes.

well she's a model not a dyke.

Way to take it down some notches Angela. Nice. Enjoy your time in the gutter.

If you have seen the photo up close, like I said earlier, you can see in her face that she is clearly uncomfortable and looks frightened, which is an unusual choice for the cover of a fashion magazine.

Vogue got what it wanted P.R.

Wow, Angela, another good message to send out there: Only dykes look strong.

You can be both

I'm thinking Angela was just pointing out the fact that a model doesn't typically assume a strong persona/face/characteristics; also Angela funny and sarcastic.

*is*

I think I just find it ironic to rely on prejudiced stereotypes to make a point/joke in a post about prejudiced stereotypes… But hey, potato, potahto.

Chelsea, thank you for the beer info on the other thread…that's all I'll really need.

I do not think she looks frightened or helpless and the pose is so typical barbie fashion pose…I am a whitey and maybe miss some undertones too from time to time but c'mon.

As not a blacky

As an artist, I sometimes make things that look like other works of art because I saw them once, and never remember it again until someone points it out to me.

As a black person, the similarity is undeniable, but doesn't it say something that back then, someone of Lebron's stature would be considered maniacal, and now, he's considered fine for consumption by the masses?

(also, I find it sad that I have to tell everyone that I'm black for an opinion about this to hold more weight.)

Also, Anna Wintour must be a racist nazi. Clearly thats what she was saying with this cover.

I've enjoyed reading all the comments on our culture and how we deal with race… a lot of good points. Specifically though; I must admit I don't believe Vogue intended on spotlighting the glaringly racist angle. The model/athlete pairing is a classic one. I see Gisele as not taking the scared victim role - rather the happy-go-lucky girl. And initially, I saw LeBron displaying intensity, not brutality. Also, the inside shots support a more ubiquitous relationship. I think Vogue, however ignorant you want to call them, did not consciously select the image for its controversy; rather its energy.

Cerebratious, I don't give your comments more credit because you're black… I do because you've proved yourself intelligent in past posts.

And I thought we all knew Wintour was a nazi??

What if Vogue didn't use him. then it came to light their decision not use him was he would look to much like king kong. Dammed if you do, dammed if you do,. I give them credit it was a great publicity move,

The USA claims equality but seems to be very sensitive to any percieve slight.

Well, the Iranians claim they have no gays, the Irish no abortions or divorce, the Mexicans no corruption…everyone's in denial.

Well, when you're trying to maintain an illusion, you have to be very sensitive to never let reality show through.

I'm in denial about the work I should be doing today instead of procrastinating! haha…

anyone can find racism or sexism in anything if they go looking hard enough for it. At this rate, my kids cartoons are going to become racially critiqued. I just find it all ridiculous that a few close minded assholes left in America spur this much dissection of a damn picture on a worthless fashion magazine.

I'm sure I'll get crucified for saying that, but dammit I've had a bad day and don't really give a damn.

We'll crucify you upside down and backwards.

Janice-get your ass back to work, pronto….and bring me a beer.

Admittedlyaddicted-my thoughts exactly.

admitted the only thing to be crucified for is calling Vogue a worthless fashion magazine

Haha, this is research work I'm ignoring, not beer work. Beer work starts in two hours. Can't ignore beer work or the beeraholics come looking for me. I can, however, bring you some vodka from my freezer! It's icy cold.

But not as fun to say as beer.

I'll take the vodka with a shot of oj. And I forgot to say please. I get a little ansy when I start seeing the bottom of the glass. Please and thank you.

To friday! *clink*

"anyone can find racism or sexism in anything if they go looking hard enough for it."

Not true. And, we didn't have to look particularlyhard at this image to find it racist. The racism is glaring for anyone with one eye and at least half a brain.

"At this rate, my kids cartoons are going to become racially critiqued."

Where the fuck have you been?!? There is a whole body of scholarship in the (sometimes blatant) racism and misogyny in children's cartoons. Just google "racist disney" to get yourself started.

"I just find it all ridiculous that a few close minded assholes left in America spur this much dissection of a damn picture on a worthless fashion magazine."

So– because I object to being subjected to racist imagery I am a close minded asshole? Seems to me that YOU are the one who is unwilling to open your eyes and see what is RIGHT THE FUCK IN FRONT OF YOU.

"I’m sure I’ll get crucified for saying that, but dammit I’ve had a bad day and don’t really give a damn."

You know what? Being confronted with people who defend racist images makes me have a bad day, too. And I'd like to not give a damn about what happens in your whitetopia– but your people keep putting this shit out into the world to mess with my day– so i don't have that luxury.

No meep your a bitter cry baby. grow up. whiteopia-your people?¿?¿?¿ can hand out pretty well

RAGE ON

meep says: Being confronted with people who defend racist images makes me have a bad day, too

/I don’t think there’s a consensus that this is indeed a racist image.

Okay, when my brothers talk about LeBron James, they call him a "fucking beast." As a compliment.

Sure, his demeanor on the Vogue cover could be described as savage, but that is because it represents how disarmingly powerful he is on the court. He jumps so high, runs so speedily, shoots and passes so exactly, it is intimidating. Just like a supermodel's (say, Gisele's) figure is so beautiful it is intimidating, this athlete's strength is intimidating.

I don't know much about basketball, but I do know James is one of the greatest players ever. He is like Michael Jordan and Shaqille O'Neal combined.
He has become so strong it is almost not human. This shoot is not trying to subtly assert black people are subhuman, but that LeBron James' physical capacity is even greater than that expected of humans. When he was twelve, he was almost seven feet tall. Is that not intimidating? He is the most dominant player on the court. Is that not intimidating? He can drive the ball like no other. Is that not intimidating? He averages 30.7 points per game, man! He is extremely intimidating; that's why he is such a success.

Cord, before you claim comparing LeBron James to a feral animal is offensive, remember that you call gorgeous women "dolls." Dolls aren't even living things. But there is nothing wrong with this petname, because you are not saying these females have the mental capacity of a doll. Just like Vogue is not saying LeBron James has the mental capacity of an animal. Now imagine if some cock ferret accused you of stating all women are dolls because you once used that metaphor.

What next? Are blogs going to accuse Sports Illustrated of forcing him to make a monkey face because he is black?
http://content.answers.com/mai.....s_2002.jpg
Even though they christen him "The Chosen One?"

I didn't see anything racial about it until everyone started making a fuss. In fact, I still don't. I see Lebron James posing next to Gisele. I guess that makes me a huge ass racist. Thank God people like Al Sharpton have come on television to show me how racist I am. Phew.

it's hard to understand racism in the context of pop culture america. here's why…we are bombarded with images, stories, tabloid-versions of EVERYTHING, EVERY minute of EVHERYday. And so the definition of racism is so subjective, and also changes from subject to subject, day to day. The sad, but obvious fact is that there is no cut and dry understanding for the white person, i'm talking even the really genuine ones who want nothing but tolerance and acceptance of all — for even those people, there's a clear lack of how to be truly racially sensitive. bc even if you think you are, you were born white…the color of your skin will never enable you to truly emapathize. i'm at a loss.

This immediately looked strange to me. I am a white woman, I don't read alot of Voguey magazines but something about her face is unsettling, enough so that I grabbed it off the shelf stared at it and showed it my boyfriend when we were in the check out line (which is where and how I saw it)and he said it looked pretty strange to him too. I am not someone who goes around pointing things out for no reason and I had no idea there was already a controversy. It just looks strange to me and maybe you can't tell in these photos but up close, when the magazine is in your hand it looks fucking weird.
Well, that's it, I don't want this to turn into we like to see the bad white man in everything and you all can't see the nose on your face…we just have different perspectives.

undertanding, so if white people can only understand certain things because of the color of their skin what is it that black people will never be able to get because of their skin color…and don't say entitlement because every race has entitled assholes…

playla…i didn't say white people can only understand certain things, i meant, and sorry if i did not do a good job of expressing this is that: no, white people will never be able to understand fully what it is like to be black because they have never been black. and in turn, it will always be difficult to even the most careful, empathetic white person what it is to be black. period. i am not sure where you are 'leading' with the quesion of what is it that black people will never understand? say what you mean.

I hate to break it to you guys, but racism will never go away. It, along with prejudice, homophobia, etc., has existed since the dawn of time and will continue to do so. Stop being such goddamn hippies. And stop putting words in my mouth. I never said that ignoring racism would make it go away. What I WAS saying is that if vogue editors did indeed intend to be racist but did not have the balls to come out and acknowledge this publicly then why acknowledge their hatred? They’ve got a beautiful black man on their cover. Hey hey heeeey!

woa woa woa woa, who are YOU calling hippy. Just because I like certain "jam bands" and poke smot doesn't mean that I'm a stinkin' hippie!

jk/ing

LeBron is worshipped as a god in my town. Don't cry for him or Giselle.

Oh evil twin.

That made me think of the song, Don't Cry for Me Argentina.

And then THAT made me think of the Andrew Llyod Weber thing with Madonna, "Evita". Then…ANTONIO BANDERAS.

I know Mandy Patinkin did Che first, but I want to think about Antonio tonight.

I am thinking about Mandy too, now.

Indigo Mantoya. ("you killed my father, prepare to die")

Playa - I think what you find unsettling about her face is she looks like a post-op tranny. Disregard her body and just focus on her face. She looks like her name used to be Tim or something.

The thing I find most unsettling about the photo is that it looks unbalanced. No, not in a size, race or any other way that people could interpret as racist (God, the fact that you have to specify in today's society is really fucking annoying). No, am I the only one who thinks the whole photo is a bit "crooked"? I was rearranging my furniture a few months ago and at one point all the furniture was on one side of the room; that is what I'm reminded of when I look at this.

Many years ago in a little second-hand shop on Melrose I saw an old 4-by-6 ft canvas poster depicting a black man lazy-bonin' under a shade tree with fantasy visions floating around his head and a caption that read: "A woman, a horse, a watermelon and a chicken-man oh man what a dream!"
This magazine cover seems to be cut from the same canvas.

I think that's a stretch. Just because he's black, he's like a giant ape? I think they would have done the same (admittedly awkward looking) cover with a white athlete–if the best athletes were white. But they're not. AND, he's dark, which looks better for what I think it is–a take-off of the original King Kong. A sympathetic character, if you've seen the movie. Here's one pic (i'm sure there are others that look more like the mag cover):http://www.art.com/asp/sp-asp/_/PD–10283297/SP–A/IGID–1170651/King_Kong.htm?sOrig=CAT&sOrigID=9948&ui=547090AD21E04FABB5CDD09D1439627E
Is anyone here interested in joining the Facebook group "Barack Obama: Stop Running for President and Pick Me some Cotton"?

i realize this is delayed, but it's exactly like I said (#35) meep (#42) - if you're looking for it, you're going to find it in everything. If you want to spend your life bitter walking around and picking up bad covers, that suck for no other reason than the fact it's a shitty picture, and then turn it into some racially motivated statement - go ahead. I'm not the type to spend my life holding grudges and dwelling on things that I can't fix or change beyond my own household. I choose to not look for it, because it's stupid and my family doesn't practice it. Over here in my 'whiteopia', my kid is taught to watch a cartoon for what it is, a fucking cartoon…

oh, and my whiteopia is 1/2 hispanic…so don't think that my family hasn't experienced first hand the ignorance of the few 'close minded assholes' left in this world.

Pardon your ignorance for thinking that i was referring to you, when in actuality I was referring to the assholes that still think you're parents should be working for mine. Afterall, it is the narrowmindedness of them that perpetuates your feelings of need to find racism in anything white, no? If you're going to crucify line by line, make sure you keep your head on straight far enough in to actually read what was written.