The argument made is that the stance that LeBron James has been photographed in is reminiscent of King Kong, while Giselle Bundchen is depicting the fragile, helpless women.
I will post my personal take on the cover tomorrow, but I just thought I'd throw the image out for you guys to take a look at first and consider. I don't want to sway your opinion before you get a chance to take a good look at it. If you want to think more about it, I suggest you ask what does it mean that this cover is being interpreted this way? Does this make a comment on race and gender in a positive or negative manner? What is at stake? From the buzz around the internet, this is the first black man to appear on the cover of Vogue. What connotations do we look at when that is thrown into the mix?
Gisele Bündchen and LeBron James Vogue Cover Controversy. A Socialite's Life. March 28 2008, March 29 2008.
Lebron, Gisele Bunchen Vogue cover stirs up controversy. TheStar.com. March 25 2008. March 29 2008.
1 comment:
i think you're right to point out that it isn't so much the cover that's problematic so much as it is the context in which discussions about the cover's racist overtones are made possible. what is it about this pairing (james and bundchen) that makes discussions about race, racism, gender, celebrity, and power dynamics so captivating? how do these discussions enter the popular discourse? is this a pr campaign? is this another attempt for america to assert its political correctness? does this, in the end, enable the public to gloss over deep-seated anxieties about racism? interesting image, but you have to wonder why this image is getting any coverage when there are so many other major issues that need our attention...
i.
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