As you all know, the April cover of Vogue Magazine featuring basketball star Lebron James and supermodel Giselle Bundchen is a very hot topic on the net right now. Many people (including a large portion of the CL readers) believe that the cover was racially motivated and that they had a plethora of other photos to choose from instead of the one that was selected.
We posted a “CL COMMENT SPOTLIGHT” last week featuring the top comments that stood out to us in our original post on the topic and to our surprise MJ’s comment was featured on NBC’s The Today Show this morning.
Shout out to CL commenter/visitor MJ for making the segment and make sure to view the related links to see his/her full comment.
Related Links:
- Is the Vogue Cover racist (video link)
- COMMENT SPOTLIGHT: LEBRON & THE VOGUE COVER (link)
- Is Vogue’s “LeBron Kong” Cover Offensive? (link)
Keep making people famous CL!
Wow, that’s cool!
I agree with her comment.
It is good to see that mass media can find well written comments to express our outrage.
nice, concreteloop is doin the damn thing! Keep it up with the topics! Much respect!
I still don’t get the controversy. it is not that serious people. it is a damn picture. all i see is a baskerball player looking like he is about to slam dunk, and a model posing. to me the picture is not that attractive, but it is not offensive . i did not have flashbacks of slavery or civil right when I saw the picture. it is a conceptual picture about sports and a athletic lifestyle. if he would have been in a tuxedo holding the women like a glamour shot, then we would be calling the picture a sell-out! it is not that damn deep. I swear sometimes we as a people worry about the wrong thing…..
WOW!!!! Glad to know that the CL is taken seriously…lol
I wouldn’t say that the cover was racist, but it is sickening. We are brain-washing the minds of our young african-american boys, while making our young african american girls feel insignificant. I’m disgusted…
the best thing about that particular issue of Vogue was the Jill Scott interview.
but i mean really though? is it THAT serious?! he made history of becoming the first AFRICAN AMERICAN MALE on the cover of VOGUE!!!
something that DIDNT have to happen… GEEZ!!!
if they did it with Jennifer Hudson, they’d do it for him… Granted there are better photos, but i’d rather see this one than another white guy on the cover…
come on black folk, stop being so darned sensitive!!!!!!
i was wonderin why they always have the black people mouths open, for example, lebron with this cover, and jennifer hudson also had her mout open on the cover.
Personally I dont think the cover was as serious as people were making it out to be.
But congrats to those featured on The Today Show. Concrete Loop is rising fast. TMZ who??? Lol…
Congrats to concrete loop who knew that CL is not underground.
OMFG the world is going to become even more deaf to the plight of the black community if we continue on this path of complaining about every insignificant thing and trying to make racial issues where there are none. Quit being so hypersensitive people.
Congrats to CL for making one of my favorite shows and Im so jealous of the comment that made the show lol.
@ #6 and 9 I So Agree With You Guys. Black People Acting Super Sensitive And Ignorant Then Got Attention From It. Some People Dont Appreciate Anything. Complain Until They Rule The World Lol Black People Want Everything To Be About Them Thats All It Is. Lebron Isnt Mad So Why Are Other People? Makes No Sense
I agree with #6, it just wasn’t that serious. Giselle is a hugely popular supermodel. That is why she is there with Lebron. I think the issue for some is simply the fact that he is there with a white female period. You wouldn’t be getting this level of vitriol if it was a black woman with him on the cover in that same pic.
When I saw the segment this morning on the Today Show featuring a comment from CL, I was so proud! I wholeheartedly agree with the comment and I am happy that there is dissension over the cover Vogue chose. Sadly no matter how loud we complain about these stereotypes the more they try to force us to believe that “This is who we are” and “We should be happy to have a person of color on the cover.” For those spouting off that it’s not that serious, please take a closer look because it really is!
Wow….it’s nit that serious? Take of your rose colored glasses for once! Subtle racism is the worst kind because it’s people like you who think “it’s not a big deal.” I guess if he’d of been on the cover with a noose around his neck ti would’ve been cool too, as long as he made the cover. GTFOH!
People with their^^^^^^ mindset are the same ones that would’ve kept their own people enslaved if slavery was here today. They would say, “it’s not that bad,….we get clothing, food, and shelter…..massa treats us real good.”
I see CL is doing it BIG keep up the great work.
Now regarding Lebron I understand her comment and I agree but what does Lebron think? Is he offended?
I just wish the one on the inside was the cover.
Hey Beauty QT
Right 13, especially in this age of “should we or shouldn’t we have a black president”.
Still, I am a believer in the right to say what you want. So, if it bothers you, then you should continue to voice your opposition. Make sure you write Anna Wintour( Vogue Editor) and let her know you didn’t like it.
Whasup DAME! Haven’t spoke to you for a while! Hope all is well with you…
the cover itself it’s not racist.. that’s what he wanted! ‘some’ people couldn’t be more sensitve..
HE wanted that himself. WAKE up people!!
I agree w/#9 as well. EEFFFNN senstive yo! and # 6!!!
I wrote Vogue about my dislike of this cover
wow come on people he made the cover and its cool cover whats the big deal some times blk folk are to danm sensitive what so racist about the picture hes a pro baller and she a model come on people lets focus on more important issues then a danm vouge cover….
I dont see what the problem its just a b-ball player with his game face on looks like the same ugly face micheal jordan used to make lol and he is holding a model would it have been better if Jennifer Hudson was on the cover again with her mouth open or maybe tyra banks I dont get it someone fill me in
How fitting. The first African American male on the cover of Vogue since it’s inception and he’s seen holding a basketball and clutching a white woman. Many simple minded black people will say other blacks are too sensitive but Vogue’s editors anticipated this reaction to an otherwise bland cover.
CL, II want to say that you have a great blog. The comment being featured on The Today Show proves the media depends on your site for accurate and precise information about the black perspective on entertainment. It’s no wonder you have haters in the blog world. Keep up the good work!
A lot of you are acting like house slaves… too stupid and ignorant to see how the media portrays us. I’m tired of dumb black people. Anna Wintour and her posse want to have a token black person on the cover once in a while just to dodge criticism. If you aren’t smart enough to realize that this is the same exact portrayal and positioning as the original King Kong poster then you don’t have the right to comment. How can you say that at least there is a black person on the cover. They could have made him look like a sexy model but made him look greasy by showing him in a basketball uniform and tattoos baring and all. This just reinforces stereotypes about black males.
A PhD candidate in minorities and women in media.
Wow, didn’t realise it became so big. Wish they had a black woman though like Naomi Campbell.
hehe.
I have a problem with the photo…….
IT’S NOT THAT SERIOUS. I will continue to maintain that. It’s a bad picture. Nothing more. But if you want to have the extremist attitude about it. Go ahead. There is nothing wrong with a black man and a white woman on the cover of a magazine. It’s modeling and it’s art. If she was holding a piece of rope, then we might have a problem. If he was ripping off her clothes, it might be a problem. If they were standing in a jungle, it might be a problem. If she had a pained look on her face, it might be a problem. AS it is, he really isn’t even acknowledging her in this photo. Furthermore, if I didn’t know any better, I might would think she was “added” to the photo. It’s a bad picture. Shame on Annie Leibowitz, she’s a far better photographer than this.
Also what was the piece about on Lebron James was it about sports is that why he has a basketball with his uniform on or about fashion cause then I would understand maybe he should have been in a Tux or something like the model ??
YES.
It IS that damn serious. There is nothing more important to us as African Americans than the continuing dialogue on race and it’s IMPLICATIONS, be it real or imagined.
Race and perception is playing a MAJOR role in politics, television, and movies, et al. And It infuriates me that some DO NOT see it. You are a FOOL if you don’t believe that editorial decisions in the media are not made based on this criteria.
You obviously have NOT worked in this field.
Look at the Jezebel link that Angel provided:
There was a more tasteful shot, MUCH more indicative to Vogue’s M.O. that couldhave been used. It harkens back to JHolliday’s cover last year with her mouth wide open spread all over the entire cover!! Surely there was a more demure shot of her, right?
Are white models and actresses featured on the cover getting their “excitement on”?
Please.
Wake the hell up.
Congrats to CL! I just feel like if he was the first african american male then they should have had him on the cover alone. I understand that the fitness article was about the both of them but he still should have been alone on the cover just to give him his own glory for making it on there period.
Can someone please tell me what the problem is again? MARQUITA i feel the same way you do.
I don’t see the big deal….guess I’m just ignorant for taking the cover at face value. Let me go read a book and get my knowledge up so I can come on here and have deep convos and start seeing what all you intellects see. So I can make everything a racial issue and pull a rabbit out my ass.
Please Lebron don’t make that face when going for dunks anymore. Don’t want to remins people of slavery and King Kong, smh
And as for LeBron and his thoughts, historically, he hasn’t proven himself to be a sophisticated thinker.
Sorry, but I’m gonna call it – he’s a rich, but dumb athlete.
A lot of people are jumping down Vogues back…but Lebron didnt have to take the photo. He had the option on whether or not he wanted that look. If you feel that something is or isnt wrong with the pic…always remember that people will only do to you what you allow them to do.
@32 Cut It
I’m done! I mean, at the end of the day they are entitled to their opinion. Black people will NEVER get together because you have that small few that things are JUST FINE the way they are.
MAtter of fact….VOGUE please place a black man on the cover with a noose around his neck. I’m sure those same ones won’t have a problem with that either.
This is what happens when you have no higher education, or didn’t get a proper dose (the kind you only get in college or from parents) of Africana History.
what i don’t understand is that ‘flavor of love’ is probably one of the most stereotypical and offensive portrayal of a black man on television since buckwheat, but it has a large african american audience…where’s the outrage there????!!!
Wow. This is so insignificant. We have far more pressing community issues than on how 2 millionaires are featured on the front of a billion dollar magazine. Lebron and his agent both have mouths and could speak for themselves if they felt insulted. To make this community centered was just stupid.
First let me say I love coming on concreteloop. I am glad there is a forum where people can voice their opinions and people can agree or disagree, in a civilized manner. I do not find the cover offensive; I do think the pic is not the best, but this pic did not conjure up any racist stereotypes to me. BTW, I am probably older than many of my fellow cloopers so I have lived a little. I’m a married mom of three boys, college-educated who has seen many things and again I don’t find the pic offensive. We have to choose our battles and there are so many things more relevant than a Vogue cover. As a matter of fact they probably just sold many more covers with all the publicity. I have a strange feeling that if Lebron were on the cover with a woman of color that pic would receive just as much criticism. Readers would get into the whole dark skin/light skin, natural hair/weave issues. Just my 2 cents.
yeah i think people need to chillax a bit.
So Anna and Annie Lebovitz suckered the big dum munkie to pose wif hiz mouf open?
First of all Vogue PUBLISHED the offending photo.
And right, he took a variety of photos. Some with his game face on, which is not offensive.
What IS offensive is a simple case of content and intent.
AGAIN, i have to go with the fact that going with this photo as opposed to the other was not just a “bad” editorial decision. It was purely intentional. And I’ll chalk it up for those who don’t see it as people who have never worked in media.
#17 and 26 it is not that serious. It is a cover with a athete who has his “game face” on! the issue is about sports and atheltics and they have two people on the cover who are know for the atheltic bodies….I think that more people have an issue with him being on the cover with a white woman as opposed to how he is being portrayed.even in this day people still have a problem with black men and white women being shown in a intimate or close fashion. and as for the house negroes comments…give me a damn break. that is the major problem amongst black people today. everyone is entitled to their opinion and just because someone does not agree with you does not make them a sellout or a race trader. since you can’t defend your position with some intelligence you have to resort to name calling which is juvenile. just because we are all black does not mean we have to think alike. get a grip!
Well if it was Vogue’s intention to cause controversy, you bought right into it. HOOK, LINE, and SINKER. Congratulations. You must be very proud. I don’t know, Lebron seems pretty successful to me. So he didn’t go to college, but from what I understand he certainly had that option. Good thing Lebron has a black girlfriend, or he would really be in trouble. And would someone please tell Lebron that his tattoos and basketball uniform are racist and inappropriate. While your at it, tell of those athletes with that uniform/tattoo problem.
I dont know about this one. I can see it on both sides of the coin. Its a fashion magazine, so I must agree that they should have used another pic. This is not a sports magazine, but I am not quite sure it is fully racially profiled. So it does leave you with questions as to why they decided on this picture compared to the many, many, many others. Lebron couldn’t be in a suit with his basketball? Michael Jordan was alway suited up before and after a game. So I not getting it? Fashion Icon Magazine right!
Gee, SEABREEZE. Ya thinks so?
@ Marquita
With all due respect, that had to be one of the most patently naive statements read on this topic.
I, for one, did not BUY INTO anything. I’m just pointing out a fact based based on my experience of having worked in this industry.
@44 Stahcy H
NO YOU GET A GRIP BOO BOO! And while your at it, go take Africana studies 101, and a course that focuses on how the media portrays people in a negative fashion that will usually go right over people’s head like it did yours.
And I don’t have a prob w/ him being on the cover w/ a white woman. Try again. Gosh what are you a body guard for YT? You need to calm down and leave me and others to their OPINION as I would’ve left you to yours had you not have called me out.
Honestly I didn’t like the cover, but it wasm’t that seroius to me. LeBron always represent the black man and community very well…ONE VOGUE COVER CAN’T TAKE AWAY FROM THAT. WE’RE GEETING WAY TOO SENSITIVE AS A RACE! WE ALWAYS FEEL WE DESERVE RESPECT WHEN WE DON’T EVEN RESPECT OURSELVES…CAN WE DO THAT FIRST!
I still don’t see what the big deal was. The cover isn’t racist…and um, hello…he posed for it. It looks like two people having a good time. There was no way in hell that the comparison to King Kong even jumped out at me. Even putting the king kong picture next to the cover still doesn’t do anything for me.
The Lebron cover is causing a shitload of trouble. They mentioned the cover on the view this morning…
If he took the pic and didn’t have a problem..then hell why should I?
I can however see the opposing viewpoint on how this image portrays a wild beastly black man grabbing a beautiful damsel in distress….but I guess all things racial are gonna be blown out of proportion now…
I saw that segment this morning on The Today Show, and recognized the comment and the CL logo, although it was shadowed. But I have noticed for a while, that many mainstream news stories and many mainstream editorials seem to have a very “familiar” flavor to them typically two to three days after the CL postings and comments…. CL is mainstream, has been for a minute, just not receiving credit.
I don’t blame Vogue magazine for not one thing. I don’t expect a magazine that is controlled by caucasians and caters to caucasians to project a black athlete, especially black male athlete, in an upstanding manner. That respect has to be maintained by that black athlete. LeBron James has said that he wants to be the richest man in the world. That means that he will do anything, anywhere, for anyone in front of a camera or behind closed doors if the price is right. He’s the average 21st century young black male that believes that the only color that matters is green.
http://imagecache2.allpos...739~King-Kong-Posters.jpg
http://shoppingblog.dalla...le-lebron-james-vogue.jpg
At Supercent:
My sentiments, exactly.
And as for those who think others shouldn’t vociferously express their opinions on this topic:
If you wish not to engage in this debate, then state your opinion and move on to another post. Obviously, this post is here to inspire lively discussion. Stop telling others they need “to calm down”. Who are you to stifle somebody else’s right to speak?
Move it along.
I don’t think the issue is that deep as well but I also think they should have chosen a better picture for the cover. It just looks a hot ass mess.
36.
CUT IT!!!!
Wednesday, March 26, 2008 /
And as for LeBron and his thoughts, historically, he hasn’t proven himself to be a sophisticated thinker.
Sorry, but I’m gonna call it – he’s a rich, but dumb athlete.
_________________________
He’s not dumb, he’s just uneducated… and there is a difference.
You have to remember, he is only a high school graduate, during his senior and junior years, his life was focused on basketball – I doubt very seriously that he had a normal academic schedule and even if he did, there was probably a lot of leeway. So you are dealing with somone who is not even 25 years old yet— he has grown up pretty much singularly focused on sports and basketball – no, he’s not sophisticated…. yet. Like most people as he matures and broadens his understanding, his thinking will reflect that.
#17 the reason why I called you out is because to compare this situation to slavery is so far fetched it is pathetic. I know all about the way we are portrayed in the median and the negative implications it has on this society, but this is not one of them in my opinion. it was a conceptual picture that was not a very good one, but by no means it is a negative reflection on the African-American culture. the man is a damn basketball player! he is posing in a fashion that he does everyday on the court. it would have been racist if it would have portrayed him as being submissive to the model or implicating that the only thing he can do is play ball. I have no problem with people expressing their opinions (which you seem to do by implying that people are sellouts), but if you want to insult those of us who have a different opinion then you, then be prepared to be called out…..and for your information I have taken my more than fair share of African-American, History and women studies classes, and I doubt this cover would even be brought up amongst people who have more real issues to deal with!
Now we publicly look silly. And thank you
#39
And I can’t stand when some folks come into a discussion on a high ass horse knocking people down because they don’t know certain things. If you’re so damn smart why not take the time and educate instead of getting pissy because one is not informed. All the name calling is unnecessary. If some people feel it’s not serious, that’s their damn opinion, why get your panties in a bunch?
Geez, some of ya’ll need to get smacked the hell off that horse. It’s really not becoming. EDUCATE and keep it moving.