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SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 22, 2009

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HE'S GOT A BOOK OUT, TOO

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Demi Moore:
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Hoffman 'Unconcedes' in NY-23

Still, Conservative calls overtaking Dem Owens 'long shot'

Nov 16, 09 8:32 PM CST

|NEXT STORY »

French Vogue 'Black Face' Sparks Row

October edition triggers debate on racism

By Mary Papenfuss| Posted Oct 14, 09 2:35 AM CDT|

(Newser) – A Dutch model painted black from face to toe in French Vogue has triggered angry charges of racism. The photos of model Lara Stone, taken by US photographer Steven Klein, are part of the magazine's October issue honoring models and photo shoots through history. What French Vogue and the photographer "should know is that painting white people black for the entertainment of other white people is offensive," notes a comment in Jezebel.

Another reader complains that painting a Dutch model "to look African was like a terrible peek into a disgusting colonial attitude, and frankly, made me sick." Others wondered the mag didn't use a black woman. One notes: "Um, Paris Vogue? This isn't what we meant when we said we wanted to see more women of color in fashion magazines."

[Images (2)]

[Quotes (1)]

Model Lara Stone attends an event celebrating 90 years of Vogue covers at Hotel Crillon in Paris earlier this month. (Getty Images)

Model Lara Stone as she appears in the October issue of French Vogue. (French Vogue)

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

Did people not get the memo? Blackface is not cool, edgy, smart, post-racial/post-modern. - nyc-caribbean in Jezebel

« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow

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23 comments

VIEWING:

Rocket448
Oct 14, 09 2:54 AM CDT

That's not "black face". That's a woman's face, painted black for effect. It's not racism. I'm sorry, but it's just not. Idiots. Reply

+16

IN RESPONSE:

SilenceDogood
Oct 14, 09 6:05 AM CDT

I agree, the hyperbole regarding all things race and racist is ludicrous.

IN RESPONSE:

jamerican
Oct 14, 09 8:42 AM CDT

I have to play my white race card and complain that I find it insulting to make a white person look black.

IN RESPONSE:

Netstorm2k9
Oct 14, 09 1:04 PM CDT

So, when Eddie Murphy put on white makeup in the eighties for that bit on SNL about the secret lives of white people, that wasn't racist?

| 0 minutes ago

George_Taylor
Oct 14, 09 3:10 AM CDT

They escalated a minor problem into a giant blow. The people who look for racism in others have zero tolerance, and make everything less fun and unenjoyable, even if no one was hurt. Anyway, if you get offended by art, do you actually think EVERYBODY similar to you is offended? Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Evji108
Oct 14, 09 3:52 AM CDT

To have at least a semblance of perspective on this issue, it is good to understand what "blackface" actually means. This is often lost on Europeans and other non-Americans because it is a particularly American cultural phenomenon. "Blackface" is not simply the putting on of black makeup, it refers to a nineteenth and early twentieth-century minstrel show where black people were depicted using black makeup on the face, exaggerated white lips and often a frizzy wig. The Vogue photos look like elegant onyx statues and are miles away from the insulting caricatures of true "blackface" in both intent and aesthetics. Reply

+11

IN RESPONSE:

Jes
Oct 14, 09 4:14 AM CDT

You really took on everything I needed to say, Evji, good show. The article quoted someone as saying the model was painted to look African? No, no she wasn't. She was painted the /color/ black, not dressed up to look of African descent. It isn't a shade of skin tone at all, it's pitch black. If she was painted scarlet would people be getting their panties in bunch for Native Americans? How about a bright sunny yellow to tick off Asians? No, because it's stupid to consider all spectrums and shades of a color off limits for political correctness.

IN RESPONSE:

Janniel
Oct 14, 09 8:12 AM CDT

I agree... she looks like a work of art...beautiful.

| 0 minutes ago

opheliaglass
Oct 14, 09 3:56 AM CDT

It's pretty, not quirky or racist. This is just good craft. Rather interesting. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

shonangreg
Oct 14, 09 4:06 AM CDT

Yeah, freedom of expression battles prohibition of racism. It seems to me that black face may have been racist before, I don't know. But as a form of art, coloring our skin is nothing strange. This is not inherently racist. It just came from a racist time. People need to look at context instead of instantly feeling offended or defensive. The photos on the jezebel site don't look mocking or demeaning. Still, it would have been better had they had some models with orange or green painted skin too ;-) Reply

| 0 minutes ago

dawebhead
Oct 14, 09 8:08 AM CDT

The best outrage is silent. Who buys French Vogue? Who advertises? Don't patronize the brand. Clearly, the controversy is the goal and they have accomplished that. The worst ism is trying to force others to agree and go along with your foundational beliefs. Reply

-3

| 0 minutes ago

PhillytoWinnetka
Oct 14, 09 8:47 AM CDT

Hello....they are trying to get publicity so that people will buy their magazine. I sincerely doubt any normal person leading a busy full life really gives a sh-t if they painted her black. What I want to see is a dark model painted white. Reply

-1

| 0 minutes ago

dwharwin
Oct 14, 09 9:05 AM CDT

How come everytime the magic word "black" is touched, everybody jump up and down crying racism, and because of this, time and time again created an over cautious mentality which in turn yield favoritism to the crying wolf, unknowingly to the people. Like Jes said, no eyebrows will raise if the model was painted in red, yellow or brown. Enough with using the black issue to get ahead, enough with the black s**t, it is just art, people. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

zik
Oct 14, 09 12:22 PM CDT

Last I checked art was supposed to make you think. This isn't racist, there was no intent of demeaning black people, it was an attempt at expression (though I really don't know of what, I'm not particularly interested in art or what Vogue chooses to express) but its freaking ridiculous to drag an example out of the dustbin of history just to make a point... Save it for actual racism, there's plenty out there Reply

| 0 minutes ago

JoeQ
Oct 14, 09 1:00 PM CDT

If she were painted in blue face I suppose the Blue People would be upset. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Ezizabef
Oct 14, 09 2:28 PM CDT

As a Blue Person, I can say that it would be an outrage.

| 0 minutes ago

alkaseltzersammich
Oct 14, 09 2:51 PM CDT

I'm black and not offended. Move on. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

dawnarun
Oct 14, 09 3:51 PM CDT

Doesn't matter what color she is. She's still an underweight broad with an ugly scowl on her face. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

idontwantone
Oct 14, 09 5:39 PM CDT

With regards to the pictures, unfortunately for Vogue most people can't understand what the images are trying to say and don't understand the idea or inspiration of the images because they are taken out of context. Might I also add that these pictures are making Lara Stone, one of my favorite models, who is considered beautiful, look black, and not making black people look like "buffoons" or ugly? Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Monjubikahn
Oct 15, 09 7:27 AM CDT

I agree. Its Hammer time. Can't touch this. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

LuLu
Oct 15, 09 2:07 PM CDT

French Vogue Weighs in on “Post Racial” BlackFace: Scraping through the Palimpsest of the Western Femininity http://musingsonspaceandplace.wordpress.com/ Reply

| 0 minutes ago

LuLu
Oct 15, 09 2:11 PM CDT

French Vogue Weighs in on “Post Racial” BlackFace: Scraping through the Palimpsest of the Western Femininity http://musingsonspaceandplace.wordpress.com/ Reply

| 0 minutes ago

kansas1946
Oct 16, 09 10:02 PM CDT

Oh, for God's sake. So now we can't use the color black. Maybe curly hair on white people is offensive, or maybe a black sweater. Maybe we can't SAY the word black. Let's see, it will now officially be known as "The little coal colored dress." Or maybe, "The little raven colored dress." I guess now we will put "really dark top" on our highways. We need to have a national campaign to break every piece of ceramic depicting a "white" people that was done in black, and include bronze sculpture in that because you know, those look really dark. I hate racism as much as anyone but this kind of tripe just causes real racisms to be lost in the clamour. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 23 comments »

fashion • racism • model • Vogue • black • photographers • blackface • French Vogue • Lara Stone • Steven Klein

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French Vogue 'Black Face' Sparks Row