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It is obvious that Vanity Fair magazine didn't get the memo on the so-called "post racial America," a term that is constantly overused now that Barack Obama is President of the United States.
For their 16th annual Hollywood Issue, Vanity Fair put the emphasis on "fair" with a cover spread shot by acclaimed photographer Annie Leibovitz and only included white actresses. The only thing diverse about this cover is the actresses' hair color and their ages, which range from 19 to 27-years old.
'Access Hollywood' host Shaun Robinson, who released a self-esteem and advice book for young women called 'Exactly As I Am' last year, is extremely alarmed by the message that the Vanity Fair Hollywood Issue sends.
"I wrote a book on girls and self-esteem and what I keep hearing again and again is that young women want to see variety, this year we're going to see our most diverse Oscar red carpet in years. We should see that reflected on television and on our magazine covers," she said.
Robinson, an Emmy Award winning news anchor, believes that beyond the monthly magazine's monochromatic view of the industry, Hollywood itself has to answer for its lack of diversity.
"The sad part is we're only talking about two young black actresses, Zoe [Saldana of 'Avatar'] and Gabourey [Sidibe of 'Precious']. If the criteria to be considered for the cover of Vanity Fair is that the actresses must have a body of work behind them; then the question is, where are all the mainstream roles for all the terrific and qualified young actresses – Black, Hispanic, Asian and Indian? Where are they? Who otherwise could have been considered? But maybe what we want Vanity Fair to do is not to follow Hollywood's lead, but to take the lead in changing attitudes and celebrate the many diverse and talented actresses out there, because a picture is worth a thousand words," Robinson declared.
In response to the backlash about their all-white cover feature, the Conde Nast-published glossy that has a noted history of resistance in showcasing African-American celebrities on its cover, issued the following statement: "Deciding who will appear on the Hollywood issue cover – and within the issue itself – is a long process, and one we take seriously. For the young actresses on the cover, both films coming this year and past w
ork were taken into consideration, as were schedules and availability, since we had to shoot all nine actresses in a single day."
On the cover of its 2008 Hollywood Issue, Latino-American actresses Saldana, 31, and America Ferrera ('Ugly Betty'), 25, were both included – though on the inside gatefold and not the front cover.
Most argue that Oscar nominee Sidibe should have been featured on the cover – she is however included on an inside spread about 'Precious' with director Lee Daniels and co-star Mo'Nique.
Nonetheless, there are also other actresses with promising careers and some solid projects under their belt that could have been featured in the Hollywood Issue.
Ingénues such as Naturi Naughton ('Fame'), 25; Freida Pinto ('Slumdog Millionaire'), 25; Monique Coleman ('High School Musical'), 29; Dani Ramirez ('X-Men'), 30; and Jurnee Smollett ('The Great Debaters'), 23; all fit the criteria that Vanity Fair claims they utilize in selecting actresses.
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Comments: (9)
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By: Uriah Jordan on 2/09/2010 9:40AM
Why are we constantly seeking the approval of white folk? That is their magazine, and if they want to feature nothing but white folk in it so frigging what! We know who our stars are and Vanity Fair can't control that. There aren't any representatives from Bollywood or the people who can trace their roots to the far east. For that matter there aren't any physically challenged people either! No one can make you buy the magazine just like I doubt the readers of Vanity Fair are subscribers to 'Jet', 'Black Enterprise', 'Ebony' and so on. Please people get up off of your knees and stop the damned whining. Begging for a tolken to be placed in the mix. If they did put one there we'd be hollering over the skin complexion or some other BS. Don't buy the damn magazine and keep it moving!
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By: garyb109 on 2/09/2010 10:20PM
i think blacks should have mags for black people
start your own company.
this is old remember white dolls back in the day ?
blacks have money now so use that money to support
your own community with unity and watch us grow.
peace im out.
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By: Corrine Hamilton on 2/10/2010 2:39AM
Uriah, you are so right. Why are we (Black folk)still and continuosly seeking the approval and want to be included with everything white people do. I get so tired of "us" always wanting to be included in white folk "mess." There are a lot things the people working so hard to right some of wrongs done to our people, but we are a free people now, let's get for ourselves. White people will always try and divide us, that's what keeps us weak. The Bible even tells us, together we stand, divided we fall. Some Black folk haven't learned this yet. It is still the "house negro" and the "field negro." I be so happy, one of these days, that the "house negro" cease being the "house negro" and join us "field negroes." Unless that happens, we will continue to be divided. There is strength in numbers, Negroes.
Anyway, who the "F" cares if Vanity Fair puts a black face on their cover. Get your first clue from the title of the magazine, you blind black bats.
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By: bruce on 2/11/2010 9:13AM
blacks have had to showcase themselves for decades and that history has been overlooked, period! But what you must understand is that you can't standby and let a slight, no matter the circumstances, go unchallenged. As much as Johnson publication, Ebony, and magazines like Sister-to-Sister highlight black entertainers, mainstream publications must not overlook us as a people and realize that we have talent within our race and that some of those same white women on the cover of Vanity Fair would have jumped over ten bridges to share the screen or stage with people like Denzel and Halle. I don't think we're begging white folks, but you have to kick their asses when appropriate. Shaun Robinson should be applauded, not criticized. I can remember when none of the entertainment shows would not feature black performers, let alone have one to do hollywood reporting...racism has not left the building. If you don't fight and don't praise those who raise the issue, then you're contributing to your own invisablity and once you're gone, the next generation of black fans won't know you even exist. Ask any black kid today who's Hattie McDaniels, Dorothy Dandridge, Nina Simone and Nina Mae McKinney (Pronounced; NINE-AH) they couldn't tell you, because they're not remembered on those entertainment shows like Rita Hayworth, Marilyn Monroe and Betty Davis. I say don't retreat to an idea and think that's the solution and don't get mad at people like Shaun, be glad she spoke out!
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By: captainmidnight on 2/11/2010 12:49PM
John Dickinson, 1768, "United we stand, divided we fall". I don't what Bible you've been reading
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By: Mimi on 2/23/2010 12:38AM
WHITE ACTRESSES ARE A DIME A DOZEN. I DON'T KNOW ANY OF THOSE WOMEN ON THE COVER OF THE MAGAZINE. BUT WHAT I DO KNOW IS THIS. THEY WILL BE LONG FORGOTTEN NEXT YEAR THIS TIME.
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By: ISeeRacism on 6/06/2010 11:32AM
The photographer for Vanity Faire is the same one who did the cover for the controversial King Kong photo shoot for Vogue magazine. Remember that?
Her name is Annie Leibovitz.
Yes, I know. She is Jewish.
But guess what: she is also RACIST!
Just like all of Hollywood; Jewish, Racist insanely rich hypocrites. Take it from someone who has worked for them for 15 years.
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By: pdsweet on 8/11/2010 6:39PM
everyone saying whites should have theirs and black should have theirs are missing the point and condoning the segregation. vanity fair and any other publication should not be a racist magazine and therefore should represent diversity when placing 'worth' on a selection of people. many of their choices are nobodies who havent done much. Nothing should be race exclusive when concerning praise, nothing concerning praise should be race exclusive
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By: chris lee on 11/27/2010 7:18AM
Whenever we are bothered by what other people say about us is natural.But the Challenge is to pull some good out of the hate.
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