Black- Face and the Pictorization of Blacks in the Media

 

There has been a resurgence of a lot of controversy regarding the usage of black-face in mainstream media recently. first the group of Australian physicians on a popular Australian  TV show portraying the Jackson 5 in black-face, then more recently the French Vogue "Supermodel" spread where Dutch model Lara Stone was painted in what seems to be black from head to toe. Some some people and fellow bloggers seem to be heavily disgruntled by the French Vogue spread and have accused french editor Carrine Roitfeld and the American photographer who shot the controversial shoot of being insensitive, careless, and ignorant. Perhaps French Vogue was merely trying to produce a strong image. Perhaps it was not intended to offend anyone, and perhaps they managed to do both. Or perhaps some of us are just too sensitive.

Photo Spread in French Vogue

Jackson Jive

I, for one don't claim to be above the complexity of race relations in this world, nor am a bigot but I actually kind of like the French Vogue spread. It just goes to show that there is a major flaw in the western hemisphere's perception of beauty, grace and power..I think if anything this image shows that black skin is just as beautiful if not more beautiful and striking than white skin? lol. I personally think she looks better black! I think it would have been more offensive if this model's face was painted black and her lips painted bright red - reminiscent of black minstrel characters or "golliwogs" and if her poses were more cartoony and bojangles-esque( ie. smiling, laughing and dancing and looking silly).

 

Golliwog Doll

Minstrel Show

Instead her stances in these photos speak to something else.. IMO, she looks powerful, regal at that! This depiction of a black person does not offend me as did that which was shown on that Australian TV show. People, the bottom line is, sometimes there is a subtle difference between making a statement of artistic expression and blatant intolerance. Its easy to jump on the bandwagon and state what might look obvious and quickly make a judgement, but sometimes we need to look further..Anyway, that's just my two cents..

Till next time,
Saffron.