On the October 28th episode of the CW reality series America's Next Top Model, host Tyra Banks conducted a photo shoot in which the six surviving runway wannabes (4 Caucasian, an Asian, and an African-American) were made up to represent women of mixed heritage. The breakdown is as follows:| Contestant | Ethnicities |
|---|---|
| Brittany | East Indian & Native American |
| Erin | Tibetan & Egyptian |
| Jennifer | Batswana & Polynesian |
| Laura | Mexican & Greek |
| Nicole | Japanese & Malagasy |
| Sundai | Russian & Moroccan |
The ANTM photo shoot has stirred up controversy, with many deeming it racially offensive. Various posts have stated that the models appeared in blackface, which I think is very misleading. I don't know about you, but when I hear the term "blackface" I have visions of Al Jolson down on one knee belting out "Mammy". I saw the photo shoot as a celebration of multi-culturalism. It wasn't as if the models were transformed into offensive caricatures like the aforementioned Jolson or Mickey Rooney's embarrassing portrayal of an Asian in the 1961 film Breakfast At Tiffany's.
Due to my schedule, I didn't get a chance to post about the ANTM controversy when I read about it late last month. Although the episode has already aired, I think the topic is still worthy of discussion.
Below is a clip from the ANTM episode:
Do you think the photo shoot was offensive?
18 comments:
I watched this clip a few weeks ago and offensive didn't come to mind. I thought they looked beautiful, both before and after.
Immitation is not a form of flattery it is mocking.
Let me guess... the racist accusations came from black people, right? Black people are sooo sensitive. Good Lord! Gimme a break.
clnmike, more please. Help me understand what I might not be seeing (as a white person).
Can't say that I'm a fan of America's Next Top Model, but for whatever reason, this doesn't bother me. It is rather intriguing and I'm not sure why they'd choose to do this, but it doesn't offend me.
I guess it just depends on where your meter is. I've found some of the clips I've seen on 30 Rock way more offensive and mocking . . .
Now, what I'd LOVE to hear is Malcolm and Mike's take on Sammy Sosa's new look, LOL, or what he's calling his "skin rejuvenation." Yeah, right.
The entire purpose of this has to be questioned first.
What were they trying to say that couldnt be said with out painting some one up?
1- There was no need for this but to ruffle feathers, and given the history of black people, making light is insenstive.
2- This opens the doors for those people who have obviously bad intentions or no clue to get in on the act and than claim innocence as they point to things like Vogue's black face shoot Tyra.
Such as Shirley Q. Liquor, the NFL cheer leader who went black face to imitate Lil' Wayne, the Australian's who went black face as a "tribute" to the Jackson 5.
3- black face or imitaiting the racial charactersitics of any race is not appreciating, it is mocking. The vision is not who you are but what other people see you as. There is no respect in that.
4- You live in a world were black women are constantly devalued because they do not look like mainstream media’s standards of beauty and to counter that you paint up white women and say how beautiful?
5- a painted white model means one less black model with a job.
6- Exactly what are you trying to say by doing this? Show that the difference between us is just skin deep? Didnt have to do black face to say that. Show how beautiful they look? You couldnt fine models of the ethnic origins you wanted to show instead?
The ones who are cosigning this are acting like neglected children who are so happy to get attention from their abusive parents there not paying attention to the type of attention their getting.
I haven't watched this show since Eva Pigford and YaYa went head to head. I don't have a problem with this because it happens in the industry all the time. Models have to endure a lot of things and Tyra attempts to prepare them for all sorts of scenarios. Sometimes you have to imitate a race (or gender) other than your own. It doesn't bother me in the least. I did not associate it as black face or making light of another race. I am going to defer to Tyra on this topic.
Side bar to That Teowonna, Black people in this country are sensitive for plenty of good reason.
Judi: Agreed. I think the shoot may have even been educational for the models.
Teowonna: With the exception of Clnmike (who commented on this post and also writes for Diversity Ink), I am not sure of the ethnicity of other people who found the photo shoot offensive. For all we know, there could be Whites, Hispanics, Asians, etc. who also feel that the photo shoot was insulting.
Lori: Regarding Sammy Sosa, "skin rejuvenation" my ass! It looks like he's been bathing in Clorox.
Clnmike: My take is that Tyra intended for the shoot to demonstrate and celebrate multiculturalism. Furthermore, the decision to tranform the models may have been done to educate and provide perspective about different cultures. Granted, this perspective was only superficial because spending a few hours as a different ethnicity during a photo shoot won't give someone a true idea of what it's like in another person's skin.
Another reason I don't have a problem with the ANTM photo shoot is because it didn't deprive a person of color from getting a job. This shoot was done as a one-time thing within the confines of an existing show. I'd definitely have a problem if for example, a producer remade "The Joy Luck Club" and hired all Caucasian performers to star in it.
Pjazzy: Eva Pigford and YaYa? As Ronald used to say, "you too mean for me." lol. You bring up something I hadn't thought of... Tyra's motives may have been done as a way to prepare the models for various scenarios they could face in the industry. Amen to your comments about blacks in this country being sensitive.
All very good points, clnmike. I totally agree with #4 and #5. I admit I consider it mocking when straight men dress like women for beauty pageant fundraisers; they exaggerate for laughs, yet it feels uncomfortable to me. That's the feeling I get from the cheerleader, Shirley Q, and the Australians. The ANTM seemed more celebratory to me.
Hmmm I never saw this as a racial thing but some people do and I have no problem that. ThatTeowanna STFU. You're not black so you wouldn't begin to understand. Blacks have a good reason to be sensitive in the US! With that being said, there is probably a 1 out of 1 million chances a model will pose as another race. There are too many models of every race to chose from. This scenerio was cleary for tv but it does get them prepared.
Anonymous: I'm not sure why you assume ThatTeowonna is not black because it's evident from her photo and her blog that she is.
GV: Thanks for stopping by.
I recently just watched this episode. I come from a mixed background, being of Polynesian, German and Scottish decent. I thought tyra really bought the mixed races to light. They all looked beautiful! And i don't understand the fuss!
Jae: Thank you for joining this discussion. Regardless of which side of the fence you came down on, I am glad to hear the opinion of someone with a multi-ethnic background. I hope that Tyra does a similar shoot for the upcoming season.
I'm pretty sure that it wasn't mocking anyone from any race. It wasn't like they were "picking on" one particular race. They were to embrace multiculture. They were successful and looked beautiful. If anything they showed that every culture is beautiful.
Anon: I agree with you on all counts. Although I'm not sure, I don't believe they ever repeated the theme of making up the contestants to look like different mixed heritages. It's too bad if they haven't.
I am Native American. Those are war bonnets and traditionally only wore by men with great distinction. I could see the controversy.
"Cute" Native American costumes can be see around this time of month for Halloween. Those are replicated uniforms of a distinguished culture that is romanticized about their heritage and traditions. Those replicated costumes are for special spiritual ceremonies.
Anon: Thanks for commenting. Since I wasn't aware that only certain men were able to wear the war bonnets, I appreciate you educating me on the history surrounding them.
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