Do you think Kate Moss should have been painted black or should had hired a African Model?

Question

http://www.visualeditors.com/home/2006/09/racist-kate-moss-in-black-face-on-the-cover-of-the-red-independent/

I think they should have hired a black model! Blackface is SO extinct!

Answer 1

Completely idiotic.

I could understand if it was an article about something else and Armani had the vision of the picture and wanted to do it the way he did. But for an article on the struggle of black women?!? That is just a slap in the face.

Answer 2

very interesting. i didn't even realise this was out. anyway, the picture is supposed to signify the struggle for black women in Africa and the AIDS epidemic so why choose kate moss as she is neither black or indeed african so how can african women identify with her? i think even kate moss would admit that she is not the most informed and knowledgeable about the issue so again this begs the question why? seemingly, this reflects badly on african models out there but i don't agree with this as they are recognisable african models out there such as april sanders and antanique landry. although, most of them might just be household names within the african community, it would have been opportunity to showcase an up and coming model. no blame should go to kate moss though as she is a highly recognised model and perhaps in an ironic way, her involvement in it is more than likely to raise awareness than any other black model would have so from that perspective, its understandable. its far from racist though

Answer 3

Shame on the Independent. This is well short of its usual quality standards. It reminds me of the TV variety show "The Black & White Minstrels" or Peter Sellers in "The Millionairess" - yuk.

There are plenty of African models that they could have used, and not just David Bowie's wife. Alec Wek is no conventional beauty, but she would have been alright. Check out this page from Hello Magazine (*hides his embarrassment*) for seven potential candidates. And that's just a small sample of the feminine beauty that abounds in Africa.

Answer 4

I think the fact it is a picture of kate moss is more important as a selling point than the colour of skin.

It's just a picture and I dont see it as racist.

Answer 5

The picture if seen in context with the caption "Not a fashion statement" IMO makes sense to me. She's a highly recognizable FASHION model and the statement implies that race, HIV, the struggle of African women is NOT a fashion statement....meaning it's something not to be taken lightly. These are important issues and not silly or faddish like most fashion trends. I think it means to say for people to stop taking these issues lightly and really look at the importance of them. I don't think it's racist at all.

Answer 6

Considering it's a book about black women in Africa you'd think they would actually use a black women.
Maybe they wanted the controversy to help advertise the book...who knows.

Answer 7

I really don't care although it does seem to make more sense if a black model was hired instead

Answer 8

Youve got to remember the more controversy surrounding what ever your trying to get publicity for the better.

So in that sense it worked but its nonsense to scream racist over a non event.

Answer 9

She does not look African or even give the look any justice

Answer 10

She should have been painted in arsenic or a lead based paint instead