Hot Mama Daily Offers Her Two Cents
October 17, 2009 by Tracy Hopkins
Filed under Entertainment, Fashion
I’m an opinionated gal and once in a while I need to vent about things in the world of fashion, beauty, and pop culture that I’ve read about or witnessed. Here are two recent stories that made this Hot Mama heated.
French Vogue does blackface.
- Controversy was sparked — and rightfully so — over French Vogue’s 14-page photo spread featuring supermodel Lara Stone in blackface. I don’t know where to begin. For starters, blackface is completely offensive to black people and there’s nothing cheeky or fabulous about it. Secondly, black models don’t get nearly enough opportunities, so why would the magazine decide on using a “faux” black model instead of hiring the real thing? Perhaps an argument could be made that Tyra Banks has “painted” white models “black” during several seasons’ of “America’s Next Top Model.” Since she’s a black woman, is it the same thing or is there a different intention when the photo shoot and editorial is controlled by a white woman?
- A Newsweek journalist criticized Angelina Jolie for not combing/styling her adopted daughter Zahara’s hair. The writer, who happens to be a black woman, called little Z’s hair a “hot mess.” Never mind that I wish I had a copyright on that phrase, but what’s wrong with letting this little girl’s hair grow free of chemicals and the hot comb?
Angelina Jolie with her daughter Zahara.
Yes, Zahara’s hair would look cute braided or up in a pony (as it has been worn in the past), but I disagree with writer Alison Samuels that her hair looks dry and unkempt.
If Zahara’s hair really starts to look crazy, you better believe I’ll be one of the first to say so. But at the moment, I think it looks clean, curly, and cute. Sounds like the real issue here is that some black women don’t feel Jolie is qualified to raise a little black girl. And that’s a whole nutha ball of hair…and wax.
- Now that I’ve told you what I think, I’d like to hear your opinions on the Vogue blackface controversy and the state of Zahara Jolie-Pitt’s hair.
Image credit: Steven Klein/French Vogue, Bauer Griffin
I think Americans will see this as racist because of our history, but perhaps the Europeans view it as artistic expression. Of course, this would not be printed in American vogue for that reason. If the model’s color is intended to represent African skin, they have presented it in a way that is flattering and beautiful, not demeaning or degrading in any way, so I personally see this as an artistic move. I agree with you that there are many beautiful black models and using one for this shoot might be more widely accepted, but on the other hand, no one would be talking about it like this.
Thanks for the insightful comment Susan. From an artistic standpoint, I actually don’t find the styling of the photo offensive; unlike real blackface they did not exaggerate her features, paint her charcoal black or outline her lips in white. But perhaps because it’s a white model painted to look black in major fashion magazine when they could have easily used a black model, it crosses the line. And as you point out, they probably did it for shock value and to get people talking.
Susan, as a black woman living in the UK i can tell you that the blackface is equally as offensive in Europe as it is in America. Prejudice against people of colour is just as rife. I really cannot see any way to justify or try to understand the intention behind this photo spread.
The underlying issues are the same on both sides of the pond, it just appears that the Americans are a bit more sensitive about it i.e. this would never make it into American Vogue.
Another case in point would be the incident a year or so ago when Louis Hamilton ( a mixed race british Formula 1 driver) took part in a Grand Prix somewhere in Spain and people in the crowd turned up in blackface and Afro wigs! There was outrage as that was clearly racist and intended to offend. I suppose, again, it goes to intention.
Sometimes I just don’t get what they are trying to say in fashion. When they do something like this, it over-shadows the clothes and aren’t they supposed to be the point? I look at that picture and I think where are her eyebrows? What is that thing on her head? I think that the choice of blackface is wrong and insensitive.
I think Zahara is lovely. Her curls are cute. I worry about Angelina’s back, though. She’s always carrying at least one of her kids and some of them aren’t babies anymore. Let the kid walk, hold her hand.
I agree with you. I like Zahara hair. Seems like it is naturel and kept in a curly style. I too was taken a back when I read what the other person wrote on her hair. Little girl seems happy and content with her adoptive parents, and too me, thats more important too see a child well cared for.