The Black Issue

While browsing the various fashion blogs i read...i came across this :

This is the cover of Vogue Italia titled as "The Black Issue". It is the first issue of its kind that features all black models such as Liya Kebede, Naomi Campbell, Sessilee Lopez and Jourdan Dunn.
Honestly im conflicted on how I feel ab this. I do like how it appreciates black beauty
in an industry that features pages of pages of the same types of white bitches. On the other hand is this just another way to divide people rather than bring people together? I dont know how to call it...it makes me happy to see a magazine take a progressive step into broadening the spectrum of what is beautiful but i'm not sure if this is just exploitation & just an issue that was done to say to the critics/readers that we(fashion industry) are not not racist we did a black issue..idk i'm curious to hear what yall have to say ab this!

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Permalink Reply by Dumeha Vernice on March 5, 2009 at 7:50pm

I must say I get annoyed when I see this. The assembly of black and brown women done up to mimic what is classified as beautiful from another perspective. The straightend hair the make-up application etc. I am more interested in what is beautiful from our perspective and the infinite exploration and discovery of that. As for Trace's Black Girls Rule issues ... um...in my observation it is an extension of exoticism black and brown women and their beauty rather than viewing/experiencing it from a place of their own empowerment. Also, the black women who really rule - those who run businesses (their own), raise children, are lead vocals of a kick ass band, compose and produce their art, and connect communities are rarely if not ever featured. They do not have ad space, coverage or honorable mention in these publications. If it all based on the aesthetic appearance, then what is being referenced is how these women - black - rule regarding the arousal of men.

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Permalink Reply by SincereJustice on March 9, 2009 at 1:07am

That's real, man. Economically speaking, folks of color hardly have the same generational wealth in comparison to White folks. (See Lipsitz' Possessive Investment in Whiteness)

Also, what does it really mean to be black?

jahluv said:

Instead of "taking what we can get" or getting happy about one issue - support a fashion magazine that is Black owned and has writers of color talking about things that are important to the African diaspora...

Trace Magazine - on the scene since 1996
Editor Claude Grunitzky

http://www.trace212.com/

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Permalink Reply by Dj Complex on March 9, 2009 at 4:01pm

I don't think they meant any harm....but If haven't heard the word....(its not the bird contrary to popular belief) being black is cool over seas.....Obamas presidency has opened lots of peoples eyes all over the world to the fact that....black people are the shit....

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Permalink Reply by SincereJustice on March 20, 2009 at 2:27pm

Indeed!

Dj Complex said:

I don't think they meant any harm....but If haven't heard the word....(its not the bird contrary to popular belief) being black is cool over seas.....Obamas presidency has opened lots of peoples eyes all over the world to the fact that....black people are the shit....