Yesterday Ziller pointed out some of the hubbubbling on the Vogue cover with LeBron James and Gisele Bundchen. Some are taking issue with the cover reinforcing negative stereotypes of black athletes, fearing – and legitimately so! – that continued exposure to such suggestive imagery will make society at large treat black people like ... gorillas? It's the kind of old school racism that makes me want to snatch a white women off the street before climbing a nearby skyscraper and pounding my chest in a furious rage. Don't try to stop me, I will swat away your helicopters, and throw barrels at your short Italian dudes. ROOWWWRR!This is what's confusing about racist accusations like this. It's sort of like: huh? What am I being protected from again? Are white people going to see the cover and try to capture me and/or feed me bananas? Are they going to mistakenly look for LeBron at the zoo instead of a Cleveland Cavaliers game? Where do these people who so easily conflate humans and animals live? And why would we write columns to accommodate their anomalous brains?
I have a lot of respect for ESPN's Jemele Hill, she has written a number of powerful, informative, insightful columns on race-related sport issues. But on this one she's forcing the issue. Let's break it down:
Hill has three main points.
1. They Wouldn't Make a White Guy Do This:
LeBron is just the third male ever to appear on Vogue's cover, but it's hard to believe Vogue would have made Brett Favre, Steve Nash or even David Beckham strike his best beast pose. And even if Vogue had, it wouldn't carry the same racial undertones as having a fear-inducing black man paired with a dainty damsel.This is actually best refuted by Robin Givhan -- who's black -- in the ABC story:
Givhan also notes that the shoot is about Lebron's personality, not his race. Would they have put Tiger Woods in that pose, just because he is black? Absolutely not.A player like Brian Urlacher or, I don't know, maybe Eric Byrnes, could easily be put in the same pose and not cause the same ruckus.
2. Blame LeBron, not Vogue:
Vogue deserves criticism, but more blame should go to LeBron and other black athletes, who need to exercise stricter control of their images. If LeBron is brave enough to wear a Yankees cap at an Indians playoff game, picking up a history book and educating himself shouldn't cause a strain.James is an aspiring billionaire, ostensibly one of the most powerful men in the world. If we were in fact combating stereotypes via magazine covers, he might be the perfect player to challenge any reader to reconfigure their perspective on black athletes. The Vogue cover more than anything else is testament to that. To pass on that in an attempt to protect his image (mind you, he's not appearing naked or anything), would be the equivalent of passing on, say, being a columnist for ESPN because they don't let you write enough "black stories."
3. Style Trumps Substance:As it is, LeBron was the first African-American male to grace Vogue's cover. Too bad it will be memorable for the wrong reasons.As Obama's landmark speech this week so eloquently reminded folks: There's a black experience. And it is important for everyone to be mindful of all of our respective histories. But you can do that and respect a person's individuality. The controversy over the NBA dress code is a perfect example. If Hill wants Stern to loosen up the dress code, she should loosed up on letting LeBron appear on the cover of Vogue without wearing a suit if he so chooses.
When I see Owen Wilson, I think he looks like a llama, but oddly enough, Wilson hasn't changed his career because of my opinions. Similarly, if there are people somehow confusing gorillas and black people, well, okay. Those people are obviously the least evolved people in the discussion.
This was a big crossover moment for a player who is proving to be more uniter than divider. Hill has a sharp eye, but on this matter she sounded a false alarm.
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The Racial Scoreboard
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The Racial Scoreboard embraces racism-as-sport and awards (or takes away) "Culture Points" based on news that may or may not have anything to do with race. Afterwards we all shake hands and go out for drinks.
How Many Racebaitings Equal One Racist? The fact that Hill missed the mark raises an important issue for the racial conversation. She may have used too much of her personal interpretation, but post-Obama we should agree that it's better to err on the side of educating an ignoramus, than letting it slide by. The conversation matters, yet at some point you have to draw the line. In this case I'd say a handful of misguided "Why Y'all Make LeBron Look Like A Gorilla" rants equates to one Don Imus "nappy-headed" type comment.
Team B: - 1 Jimmy the Greek Scandal
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Reader Comments ( Page 1 of 2)
1. You forgot to add he hilarious poll attatched to the story where not even 18% of her readers agree with her.
Posted at 8:42PM on Mar 21st 2008 by El Duke
2. Fantastic post. I was really confused when I heard that there were people criticizing the cover.
Posted at 9:42PM on Mar 21st 2008 by nganassim
3. the cover pic reeks of racist and sexist ideology. Look at how he is touching her - he is grabbing her as if saying "this woman is mine" fostering the belief that women are second class citizens.
And why is she in a dress while he is in athletic gear? This reinforces the idea of women belonging on the sideline and watching athletes like Lebron.
Posted at 1:09AM on Mar 22nd 2008 by Alan
4. I bet Tom Brady was jealous! Of Giselle, if you know what I mean.
Posted at 8:22AM on Mar 22nd 2008 by nickstoli
5. boycott chinese olympics
Posted at 10:54AM on Mar 22nd 2008 by bbelles4347
6. We fully applaud Jemele Hill calling Annie Leibovitz, David Stern, et. al. racists
Posted at 11:25AM on Mar 22nd 2008 by Joe McCarthy & Salem Judges
7.
funny thing, the first time i saw that cover the first thing that crossed my mind was King Kong. Not exactly what you would want to associate with a fashion shoot. I don't think a little fashion would have been out of place.
Posted at 1:14PM on Mar 22nd 2008 by Ghost Writer
8. alan, he's in athletic gear because he's an athlete surprise surprise. And guess what, she's dressed up because she's a model. The way this guy has been playing this year he should have an expression like that because he's playing like a beast, I say that as a compliment. You libs just reinforce my philosophy that liberalism is a mental disorder. Only you people have the absence of common sense that would make this into something that its not. You all think that you are so much smarter than the rest of us and see things that us "common folk" don't. This grabing for racial staws by your side is doing nothing but hurting free speech and the core of our democracy. If someone or business is dumb enough to be racist, then let them. The rest of America will just stop supporting that group. Get real, get a brain and get a life.
Posted at 3:57PM on Mar 22nd 2008 by angryguy77
9. There's a lot of things wrong with this cover.
1. Black male athlete & white woman - This magazine cover is perpetuating the notion that once black athletes become successful, they leave our beautiful African-American queens, for white women. Plus the image of the model looks rather fake, like maybe it was photoshop or something.
2. Black man portrayed as a beast - We know that on the court you make a lot of facial expressions, but off the court you don't have to. For Vogue to choose this "beastly" image of Lebron (the first black male on the cover) makes you wonder "is this what they think of us?" I'm sure he smiled during the photo shoot but no, this is the image Vogue choose. This also shows a lack of African-Americans behind the scenes and in the decision making process.
As an African-American, we must be conscious of how we portray ourselves, especially when we are doing something big for our culture. I applaud James and his achievements and only fault him if he was part of this decision making process
Posted at 11:54AM on Mar 25th 2008 by Junior
10. I cannot believe they can find nothing better to write about! The guy works hard, doesn't get into trouble, is a great role model so all you can write about is a photo you happen to not like. Get a life.
Posted at 10:42PM on Mar 26th 2008 by viccid1
11. Fantastic article. Most of your are missing the point of the cover...it is to sell magazines; get people talking about Vogue. Guess what...mission accomplished. LeBron is an industry unto himself. He doesn't need to be on the cover for a quick payday. Whatever he received in compensation is a drop in the bucket to his overall earnings. Of course there are racists in this country and yes there are racial issues crossing many spectrums of our lives. This is not one of them. All you knuckheads who drew the King Kong comparision or the black athelete sterotype would complain no matter what.
Posted at 10:43PM on Mar 26th 2008 by Tampa2
12. Everything now a days has to be about a race issue. How about a positive " Racial Harmony ". By the way do you think Lebron is putting mind to comments or the paycheck going to his bank account.
Posted at 10:43PM on Mar 26th 2008 by Rolo
13. What is the problem? LeBron keep doing what you are doing. Let Haters keep hating!!!
Posted at 10:43PM on Mar 26th 2008 by cab
14. WOW! why can't we all just get along.
Posted at 10:44PM on Mar 26th 2008 by Sonn
15. race is always in the back of the mind of every black and white american in the world, so it's not surprising this is and issue, to know what i mean check out the video at, www.showcaseyourmusic.com/romeo
Posted at 10:44PM on Mar 26th 2008 by kromeo
16. LeBron on the cover of Vogue is a big step for African-American men. I don't think He portaryed any negativity. Let's face it, he's a basketball player; one of the best in the world. He was playing his part in the whole "Beauty and The Beast" theme. I am a black man and former athlete. If Terrence Howard tried to take that same picture, he would be out of character. LeBron, the young, tall, strong and physically gifted young man, was very much in character. That's the same face he makes when he dunks over three opponents. As a black man, I can honestly say that ESPN.com columnist Jemele Hill and others are just nit-picking. When LeBron opens his mouth, he speaks very well. He doesn't get caught in sex scandals Colorado hotels with young women. He doesn't get caught driving drunk with a loaded gun and a pound of marijuana in his car. LeBron doesn't start brawls on the court. He's a basically a good guy and good role model. Let him have his magazine covers. He has never portrayed the black race in any negative fashion!
Posted at 10:44PM on Mar 26th 2008 by Robert House
17. No one would think these things were racial until the idea is put into their heads. Why don't you STOP always trying to make a mountain out of a mole hill? We adults are suppose to be showing the children the correct thing, not the other way around! Just stop all of the negativity, please!
Posted at 10:44PM on Mar 26th 2008 by Rhona
18. For those of you who wish to make a racial sterotype because LeBron appears with a white woman on the cover of Vogue, I urge you to get a life. Until we stop projecting race into every facet of our thinking, we will never progress as Black people or as a nation.
I truly understand racism is not dead; as a matter of fact it is alive and well; but,if everytime one sees a Black man with a white woman or a Black woman with a white man, whether they are rich brothers and sisters or just "typical" Negroes we project race into it, I think we are destined to relive the not too distant past,
I say move on! Be mindful of your own image and let LeBron continue to use Vogue and other magazine covers to continue his quest to become a truly rich Black man.
Posted at 10:45PM on Mar 26th 2008 by dr38g
19. Rhonda, you couldn't be more wrong, and if you are not a person of color you don't really get a vote. White people telling black people how they should feel about racism, is like men telling women what to feel about labor pain. I understand it might be hard for you to hear, but what we feel is legitimate, you don't get to say that looks O.K. to me, it's not your experience and it's not your image.
There has never been sufficient accurate / positive images of black people shown in any medium. However, false negative images are flooding the air waves and the majority population seems o.k. with this. Unfortunately it has helped to create a situation where white America has absolutely no idea who black people in general, and black men in particular are.
This publication never previously had a black man on the cover, so this is a great accomplishment for Lebron. However, the decision maker behind that ridiculous pose and cover shot selection was not a black person. To put it plainly, for too long black people have not been in control of their own images, and clearly non-black persons have shown a very limited view of what they think of black men. It's a shame too because a much more interesting photo would have emphasized Lebrons great style and fashion sense, and perhaps outfitted Gisele in a trendy sports get-up and an aggresive scowl.
Posted at 10:45PM on Mar 26th 2008 by Andre
20. I would have preferred to see Labron in business
attire or something that would better co-ordinate
with the young model. That would send the message
that this handsome, strong basketball star can fit
in very comfortably with the young, beautiful attired
model. Basketball is not all he is capable of doing. I am sure he is a very successful businessman
also.
Vogue - your image is about fashion!!!Stick with it.
BMP
Posted at 10:45PM on Mar 26th 2008 by Bessie