“Was I satisfied? Yeah, well… I mean, I come from a world where I’m not on covers and I’m not in magazines at all. And so I was happy to be in the magazine. At first I thought, ‘Hmm, should I be there? Then I very quickly got over it. I think if I were a part of that shoot I would have felt a little left out anyway. I would have felt a little like… whether or not I should have been there. [It] doesn’t matter, because I wasn’t on it and I’m excited to be mentioned anywhere, and it doesn’t matter to me where I’m not mentioned.”
– Precious star Gabourey Sidibe explaining to Access Hollywood why she wasn’t upset that she was left out of the obnoxiously white front cover of Vanity Fair‘s Young Hollywood issue.
Oh well, maybe she’ll get lucky and Jane Goodall will get her some good press in the next primate studies she does.
Fuck you.
Although I’m sure that Anon was just being wicked, humans ARE primates. We are the top of the primate chain and fall under the great ape category.
Boy, who’d have thought there’d be Jane Goodall h8ers on this blog. What till you hear the one about Joy Adamson I’ve got!
What she is really saying is “I’m an airplane and I’m big enough to carry Kevin Smith in my ‘special compartment.'”
“Obnoxiously white.” WTF, Molls? You are one of those people who make a friggin race issue out of nothing. Let’s try the MAJORITY of young Hollywood is white and Vanity Fair was just reflecting that. You want to throw in a token black actress just for good measure and for the over zealous PC freaks? Please.
How about Vanity Fair acknowledge on their cover that although young hollywood may consist of a majority of white actresses, this is America, and being a majority doesn’t mean there isn’t room enough to showcase on your cover ANY young woman of color (I’m sure we all know that would include ANY black, latin, or asian actress) as if there are zero deserving to be there. Not as a “token” or to comply with being “PC”, but because they are just as talented as those they chose to brighten their front cover. Gabourey Sidibe aside, how about Keke Palmer, Frieda Pinto, Zoe Saldana, Jennifer Hudson, America Ferrara, Devon Aoki, Meagan Good, Maggie Q, Ziyi Zhang. I mean, unlike some magazines, I do believe Vanity Fair markets itself a mainstream, american-type magazine.
You said it perfectly. And Lisa, not everything is a race issue, I agree with you on that. But this is obviously leaving out the talented few minorities who are just as talented as the other actresses on the cover. When it happens like that over and over again you have to begin wondering why that is and if race might be a factor. In this case, it most certainly is a factor.
However, Gabourey is extremely obese and is not visually appealing (to most people). I know I’m going to get a lot of flack for this, but this is the truth. People do not generally buy magazines with obese people on the cover. I’m pretty sure the editor of Vanity Fair was considering what would sell and what would not. Still, it’s the responsibility of publications to change the way Americans view people of color, rather than simply focusing on potential revenue.
She has three strikes against her: 1. She’s Black 2. She’s obese 3. She’s not pretty in a conventional way.
My guess is she knew this going in. This is how the entertainment industry works. A thick skin (no pun intended) is certainly required.
I wish more focus was on her talent. I’ve heard she gave a great performance in Precious. I can’t bring myself to see it because of the rampant colorism that negatively stereotypes black people. There are other negative stereotypes reinforced in that movie as well and I’m tired of seeing the same old shit when it comes to “black” movies.
And finally, (I know I’m going to get shit from y’all for this long comment) thank you Molls for posting things like this. You’re awesome.
The first “strike” was total bullshit. I’m tired of hearing that being black is a “strike” against anyone. I thought this shit would be over with when we put a BLACK president in the White House. Sorry, but playing the race card doesn’t cut it anymore, sister.
I don’t play the race card. I call shit like I see it.
And if I hear that lame-ass, tired argument about how having a black president suddenly makes racism evaporate and we’re not supposed to even address racism anymore I’m going to scream. That is a pathetic argument.
She’s not pretty at all, no need to be PC.
We should not put black people on the cover BECAUSE they are black, how ridiculous. The cover should contains someone topical.
Look, I’m not going to argue who is talented and who isn’t. That is clearly in the eye of the beholder.
And, I don’t have any control over American demographics. Nor do I have any control over Vanity Fair’s readership– which the average reader is a white female making about $80,000 a year. Their covers are an advertisement to draw their target demographic (once again, high earning white females) to buy their magazine. Nothing more, nothing less. Market research data has proven time and time again that high earning white females are more likely to buy a magazine (or ANY product) with an attractive white female on the cover. I don’t control the mind set of high earning, white females. I just thoroughly understand their demographic…that is why marketing is one of my strongest skill sets that I bring to any corporation.
Make no mistake. VF is a corporation that specifically targets white females, and they make A LOT of money doing so. You don’t have to like their target– don’t buy their magazine. But it is what it is…their cover wasn’t meant to offend non-white people; it was meant to draw their demographic.
Your data is correct. However, your argument seems to imply that since that’s the way it is, we should all just be okay with it. That seems inconsiderate at best.
Do you not want things to change? Do you not care? Would it have hurt their demographic to add Zoe Saldana or America Ferrera or both to the cover? If so, then that proves my point. Institutional racism is alive and well in America and hardly anyone in a position of power wants to do anything about it.
Why does it have to change?
A magazine can be targeted at white people, it’s not stopping black people buying it, who the **** cares. It’s BUSINESS.
Does Ebony feature a lot of white women on the cover?
I have to say that I’ve always found that term “skill set” to be remarkably annoying and arrogant sounding. And Lisa, you are coming off as remarkably arrogant in your responses. Molls is making a very humanistic point here and you attack her for that. It really has less to do with being politically correct to include Sidibe, than in acknowledging a talented young black actress, even if she doesn’t fit the current mold of what’s attractive.
And we all understand marketing.
Do you really understand marketing? Because it seems to me that you are way missing the boat. VF did acknowledge Sidibe. They just didn’t put her on the cover. I checked her stats on IMDB. She has been in ONE movie. That is her ENTIRE career. I didn’t see the movie, but I’m sure she deserved her Oscar nod. Does that mean she goes on every cover talking about young Hollywood?
Look, none of us knows if VF ASKED non-white people to be on the cover. The other black and Hispanic actresses that are being thrown around as a good shoe in to kill the “white supremacy” of VF may have been asked and were unavailable because they actually have active acting careers.
Sorry you don’t like skill sets. It is a common term used to describe all of the skills, knowledge, and talent an individual can bring to the table. Wow, it is so much easier to say skill set, isn’t it?
As far as “current mold of what is attractive,” when has being morbidly obese ever been considered attractive in America?
There wouldn’t have been room for anyone else if they had used her.
That is so mean!!!!
yet true- this girl is disgusting – which is why she was cast as an obese self-loathing miserable person to begin with…
Not true….they could have used that fold out flap thingy.
It would have taken that and more. “fold out flap thingy” are you in the “industry?”
Hahaha. I was totally going to say that. Nice.
For once I ‘almost’ agree with Molls.. ALMOST! But its slight.. very slight. Almost not.
That cover says to me: small, dainty, powder white skinned hollywood. And I am NOT making it a race issue, just a ‘I dont get any sun’ issue.
Its sad she couldn’t be on there, but has she done anything else other then that movie? I’m not really familiar with her….. Maybe they deemed the others on the cover more “main stream, well known”… Who knows.
I”m glad her attitude towards it is so laid back, I hope its real and she isn’t bitching behind closed doors… I think she’s being genuine.
I am appauled at the first persons comment on this post- it is the most rascist rude thing I’ve heard in awhile. You should be ashamed of yourself!
I completely agree with Molls. She was nominated for best actress for the Oscars this year for Christ’s sake.
Maybe it would have been better if Molls had used a nice bathing suit photo of her to make her point!!!
She’s not on the cover because she doesn’t sell- plain and simple.
Very true.
I didn’t want to go there because of all the contention over the obese dude on SouthWest. But, the fact is no one is going to buy a magazine with a morbidly obese woman on the cover. It is a subconscious rejection made by the majority of people regardless of their size. Her skin color has nothing to do with it. BTW, I’m not pulling this out of my ass– I have extensive marketing experience.
While I agree with you on the obese thing (see above comment), I have to disagree with you on the race issue. Race is definitely a part of it.
I too have extensive marketing, advertising, and journalism experience. We studied how minorities are continually left out of many mainstream advertisements and commercials or are featured far fewer times than white people are.
White people sell. Even minorities would sometimes rather look at a white face in an ad or commercial than one of their own race. It’s a sick and twisted system and it is all too real.
Yeah, white people sell. That’s why Beyonce, Jay Z, Little Wayne and that dude that looks like he’s got a plate in his mouth, Puff Daddy, are in the fucking poorhouse. Hell, black musicians even get promoted after they film themselves pissing on underage girls. Let’s see a white guy get away with that. Oh yeah, and don’t get me started on O.J.
Some of the people you mentioned have acheived cross-over status. Beyonce has been seen on the cover of Vogue and other mainstream magazines that have a majority white demographic.
However, the rappers you mentioned are mostly featured in “black” magazines, not mainstream magazines. If they are featured in mainstream magazines (the rappers), they are hardly ever on a cover.
Of course black entertainers make money! No one is arguing that they don’t. The argument we were having “Anonymous” was that of mainstream publications and representation of minorities. Since we’re talking about a Vanity Fair cover here. Not BET or Ebony.
By the way, I don’t subscribe to “black” magazines (although I read them occasionally at the hair salon). While I understand the merits of those magazines to many Black Americans, they don’t appeal to me because they are generally clannish and exclusionary.
But the reason these magazines were created was precisely because blacks were being underrepresented in mainstream publications time and time again. So they created their own. So I don’t know how I feel about getting rid of them, because they do serve a purpose. But to many non-blacks, it seems exclusionist and even racist in their eyes. So we’re kind of creating our own shit-storm while trying to serve our community. Catch-22.
You are so annoying, I’m beginning to like you. Just get back to the strap-on talk and give up spouting about black vs. white and we’re all good.
ditto and ditto. the more magazines women read, the more they internalize social “norms” and self objectify, the more “white” tv white women consume, the lower the higher their drive for thinness and body satisfaction. the more “black” tv black women watch, the higher their self esteem. research shows that they are largely unaffected by superthin superwhite images of women because they don’t relate to them- its social comparison theory. so who is buying the magazine with the glamorized paper thin actresses on the cover? i think its pretty obvious who this magazine is marketed to. and since when are magazine covers about accurately representing the true talent in hollywood? all magazines have ever been about is marketing. that being said, i don’t know why anyone would think for a minute that Sidibe would be featured on the cover.
It is a stretch to imagine that a vapid pseudo intellectual magazine like Vanity Fair would feature an obese black woman on it’s cover. I think we all can get that. Molls’ point I think is that it’s a damn shame that this situation exists today.
Vanity Fair is intellectual? Only if you’re used to reading Mad magazine.
Have you two ever even read VF? It is actually well-known for it’s thoroughly researched and extremely well written articles, including investigative journalism. get past the hollywood and page six crap and it quite the outstanding publication.
I’ve read it for years- it’s really gone downhill
Agree with the other anonymous! I’ve read Vanity Fair for many years and it’s pretty poor reading now. If you don’t think they’re losing readers, just look how thin it is now.
I’ve been a subscriber to VF for years. The best part used to be articles about Eurotrash scandals and young and up and coming writers like Sebastian Junger. Graydon Carter, with his George Bush haterade ruined it – flat out.
I guess the government should step in and make a law that all magazines practice affirmative action on their covers.
1. Gabourey Sidibe has only been in one movie so we have yet to see if she remains in the spotlight. I imagine her weight will either define her roles in film or close opportunities for her career.
2. Magazines are marketed towards chosen sets of readers.
Example would be I do not read Maxim or Homeschooling magazines. For a company to choose to pander to their audience is not racist.
3. The more people who scream and cry racism over every little thing the more they encourage this problem in America of over-sensitivity and more lines drawn than before.
In a weird way we are more divided for it than less.
The fact that we argue over this kinda shit when slavery still exist in other countries, people are dying or famine and the LRA is forcing children to kill their own parents in the Sudan, is so nauseating and American.
We live in a country where people can and do make their dreams come true, not being on the cover of a magazine is not something to cry victim over, which ironically Gabourey does not.
When was the last time Ebony had a white owman on their cover? Or “O”?
I’m sick of reverse discrimination. If white people make the money, they can call the shots on their own magazine covers.
Or where ever.
If black people make the money, they can call the shots on their own magazine covers.
Or where ever.
When was the last time you noticed a pro football team whining there weren’t more white guys on it?
When was the last time you noticed a black rapper/actor/athlete/politician giving his money to a white or chinese or hispanic charity?
Disgusting the bias TOWARDS certain groups in order to be perceived as fashionably politically correct.
Gabourey should have been satisfied at being inside the magazine. It’s a compliment.
The whole entitlement thing has gotten out of hand.
OMFG Anne, if I had an avatar I would wish that my avatar would date your avatar and eventually get married and have cute non politically correct avatar babies. You fucking rock you brave ass biatch!
@ Anne and Anonymous (sigh) It really has little do to with being politically correct or whining. There is a reason why things are the way they are. It is historical. I’m not saying some black people don’t whine. Of course they do! Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson *cough*cough* (but sometimes Jesse makes valid points). But not all black people or other minority groups whine, and it doesn’t give you the right to be ignorant and ignore racism.
It’s better to open up a dialogue and try to understand the situation rather than going by superficial evidence. And you can’t put a blanket statement on all minority groups like you did above. Please see my above comment about black magazines if you care (not trying to be condescending or rude, I just really think you’re not open to other opinions or facts).
I actually kind of agree with Anne on this one. It may not be PC to say this, but you don’t hear Ann Hathaway or Kate Hudson complaining about not being on Ebony, Essence, or Jet magazines. All of which are touted as entertainment and culture magazines just like Vanity Fair. And while Gabourey isn’t exactly complaining about not being on the cover, the fact that it’s such an issue boggles me.
I also must say, as a woman who is probably in VF’s target market, I really wouldn’t have any interest in Gabourey if I saw the magazine with just her on the cover. She may have done an amazing job in Precious and she may have gotten an Oscar nod, but I don’t find her as interesting as I would another actress. While I don’t think this should keep her off the cover, I do feel like it’s pretty big for her to be in the magazine at all. Why does she have to be on the cover, just because she’s in the magazine?
You and Anne are totally missing the point. Anne Hathaway et. al. are not complaining about lack of representation in Ebony or Essence because Vanity Fair, Vogue, etc. are banging down their doors. Ebony, Essence and Jet were CREATED due to a lack of black representation in magazines (SEE CURRENT TOPIC OF THIS ARTICLE) so why would they try to make sure they gave white actresses ample face time?? What kind of logic is that?? The creators of those magazines felt black people were being severely under-represented in mainstream publications and created their own. Making sure they also represent whites in their publication is totally ridiculous, given the circumstances.
look, i’m not white either – but my family worked very hard and are now successful – it’s time to get over it already. A small first step would be acknowledging that when you are fat and unattractive you just won’t make a magazine cover -no matter how black you are . She’s no Tyra Banks..
rvh, my whole point is that, magazine stereotypes aside, she’s made one movie. She may have been great in it, but she’s made one movie. When she’s gotten a little farther along in the business, then by all means put her on the front of any magazine. But she will not sell magazines after one movie. Kate Hudson and Anne Hathaway get the cover of Vogue and Vanity Fair because, yes they’re beautiful and they can fit into a couture dresses, but because they’ve made names for themselves. You think Renee Zellweger was pulling in magazine covers when she did Empire Records? No. You think Nicole Kidman was on the cover of Vogue before Days of Thunder (and marrying Tom Cruise)? No. Black or white, fat or thin, she hasn’t got enough of a fan base to sell magazines. Whether we like it or not, that’s what the business comes down to. Money, profit, and readership are all the top concerns of a magazine. Their cover choices are based on who sells and who their readers are. It’s that simple.
well said!
one day we will all be so pc that our freedoms will be non-existent.
I believe Ellen DeGeneres was on the December cover of “O” magazine. I think they may have even had four diffferent covers with Oprah and Ellen that month.
I hardly believe “O” is a typically “black” magazine. If it doesn’t usually have a white person on the cover, it’s because Oprah is the only one on the cover most months. It has more to do with megalomania than any type of racism.
VF has beautiful people on their covers. This girl isn’t one of them. Perhaps one could argue that there were only white women of Hollywood on the cover, but even of VF did choose to put women of color on the cover , would they not typically have Caucasian features, like Beyonce? I don’t see Beyonce rockin a fro, and her aquiline nose is closer to what is considered a “white” feature. Spike may have had it right.
Obesity, in any color, will not sell magazines. This girl’s arm folds are horrid-shit, my arm less than a tenth of her size and I don’t wear sleeveless shirts. Fat rolls are not appealing.
I wonder if VF did a cover with Hollywood males if they would follow the same criteria. Denzel is one good looking man with decidedly black features. Are the rules different for men? I don’t know.
I do happen to believe that if Obama did not look like he did, he would not be sitting in that big white house today.
Yeah, like if Obama looked like Little Wayne he’d be cleaning toilets at the school gym.
It’s Lil Wayne and no need to pull him into all this madness.
Sure, but I’m talking about Little Wayne, the ugly black guy that cleans toilets at the school gym.
Anon, scores!
I love this girl, she did an absolutely astounding job in Precious and I’m really happy for her. I don’t think it matters that she wasn’t on the Vanity Fair up and coming stars issue, if you go back to past issues half of the picks never went anywhere. A lot of what makes a lasting career is good management, connections and at the end of the day pure luck. All of those girls are talented and many others who didn’t make the list have talent. It’s going to be a combination of things that make a career work.
Let’s face it- this is Gabourey’s first movie. She’s not Hollywood, she didn’t have the intention of making this her career- she was a psychology student. The issue was dealing with the up and coming stars of Hollywood- people who are getting their big break but also have secured roles in the future that they’re already filming.
I personally think it’s racist to say that it’s not fair to have all white girls on the cover. How is that racist? Vanity Fair has consistently had people of all colors on their Hollywood issue. This year, they happen to be white. I’m sick of people putting white people down, like you have to have a token nationality or something. It’s just as racist to say that.
and last movie.
Why on Earth would you use a picture where she looks like she’s falling over?
Exactly what I was thinking. Of all the press pictures of this girl, she picked this one?
don’t worry. I’m sure Gabourey will make Ebony’s cover. which, by the way, doesn’t diversify much either…
most of these comments infuriate me. there seems to be little hope for the future with all these hidden feelings we have about race. ugh. whatever.
I don’t think people’s feelings about race are necessarily “hidden”. I suspect it’s more like everyone is afraid of not being PC enough.
someone will always get upset about whatever someone else says or does. injecting meaning and assuming agendas are behind everylittlething… we have to watch what we say and do and how we portray ourselves every second. we can’t breathe.
there eventually comes a point where, speaking personally, I just don’t have the energy to defend cracking a “homo” joke or saying the word “retarded” once in awhile. I couldn’t care less whether or not a fat black girl is on the cover of Vanity Fair or a pasty waif. I don’t give a shit if an olympic ice skater wears real fur or whether or not some actress secretly doesn’t eat organic.
I suspect a lot of people feel the same. but to actually admit it? whyyyyy, we must be ignorant, racist, sexist, homophobic, animal and planet haters!
let’s all just get over it already *sigh
I’m probably gonna get bitch-slapped for this, but Alexis, I really agree with you. I didn’t wanna get into this conv. cuz it never ends well, but I have to day you hit the nail on the head for me.
@Grace Jones – Keep responding! You provide a valuable perspective here. People may not agree with some of your reasoning, but it’s valid.
Thank you Chuck. I appreciate it.
Grace, definitely keep posting, just ignore the haters. I may not always agree with you (like this particular post), but you definitely throw out some really valid points. Your voice deserves to be heard.
see, that just adds to the problem and leads to more of this bullshit.
some white people disagreeing with some black people over a cry-wolf-race-issue. so we OBVIOUSLY MUST be “haters” and we OBVIOUSLY MUST not believe her “voice deserves to be heard”.
*sigh
her voice deserves to be heard just as mine does. and merely disagreeing with one another doesn’t mean anything except that we have different views.
good grief.
now you’ve done it.
What struck me immediately was Sidibe’s quote “and it doesn’t matter to me where I’m not mentioned.” Case closed.
Anne and Alexis – you both ROCK. :)
All this black and white talk makes my head dizzy. If you want it to stop just stop seperating them as a group. There are more ways to research population groups, such as by income or geography. You do not help anyone if you constantly talk like “Oh blacks must be this and that and wear such and such and OMG that chick is dyieng her hair blonde, how dare she” Why can’t we just let everyone be? If you happen to have dark skin and are interested in modern architecture and avantgardiste clothing then fine. If you happen to be of a lighter color and like urban music, then fine. Go on you two, create it yourself. That doesn’t stop you from being real, whatever that means anyway…
I think we should ban Anonymous commenters. It’s pathetically spineless, you lot. Grow some balls and actually use a name.
I understand that race talk makes people’s heads dizzy. If so, then don’t comment. Remove yourself from the discussion if you’re incapable of having a dialogue about things that matter.
Now, I’m over discussing this topic with any rigidly ignorant people. Keep being blind and keep your rage towards minorities. Keep disenfranchizing their (oftentimes) legitimate complaints. Keep hiding your ignorance and predjudice under the guise of “being fiercely un-PC”. Keep scoffing at colorism, racism, institutional racism, predjudice, and disenfranchisement of individuals as if it does not exist. Basically stay in your blissful cloud of ignorance. If that makes you feel like more of a HUMAN BEING, go ahead. There’s no changing the way you think obviously. And I truly feel sorry for you.
I’ll leave you with a quote and then I’m done (so all you pathetic whiners about how I’m annoying because I actually discuss things that matter can suck it):
A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything.
– Malcom X
Ummm, Grace, once again I should remind you that you actually are anonymous on this site, so put a sock in it. Here’s a quote from a pale white guy that must be racist:
“Scientists say because of global warming they expect the world’s oceans to rise four and a half feet. The scientists say this can mean only one thing – Gary Coleman is going to drown.”
— Conan OBrien
But not before Verne Troyer!
What makes me anonymus? I stated my name, what do you want more, my home adress? Sorry that I don’t own a website, shall I create a myspace profile and link to it? I mean seriously…
And I am surely not blind towards racism, what made you think that? All I basically said was Just let everyone fuckin BE…if everyone actually thought like that we would not be having this discussion…
Yeah, the dumb bitch yells about those who post anonymous and she uses the name and image of a woman that damn sure doesn’t visit this site. Grace Jones can suck my dick, with or without her jheri curl!
Banning anonymous criticism in a free society leads to tyranny.
Ah Grace,
Having a name with my comments does not make me less anonymous than the others…for all you know my name is evilbeetdouche.
Also, thanks for your compassion over my rigidly ignorant ways.
Now, where was I?
Oh yes, back to my blissful cloud of ignorance that drowns out all sounds of people standing for the right things in entirely the wrong way.
God Bless America.
Official disclaimer: melissa is not the douche’s sockpuppet. Nevertheless, thanks for the shout out.
She’s not on the cover because she’s a fat tub of lard and thus, not pleasing to look at.
I wouldn’t care whether there were black chicks, Hispanics, whoever on the cover but a woman who’s upper arms are bigger than my thighs isn’t appealing regardless of her race.
So you don’t think Hillary Clinton is a hottie?
Cankles Clinton, now with bingo wings.
I understand this post hinges on a quote from Gabourey Sidibe, but that in no way simply turns the Vanity Fair cover into a black vs. white or VF vs. Gabourey Sidibe conclusion. Lets broaden our thoughts and minds and then ask why this particular VF’s cover is void of any actress of color.
Once more, there’s a difference between mainstream publications and magazines (Ebony, Latina, Advocate) that spawn from lack of representation in mainstream magazines. Vanity Fair is suppose to be a contemporary, mainstream magazine marketed to all readers- no one racial demographic. A magazine about popular culture and diverse topics with a readership to match. Therefore, I’d expect a reflection of that. I suspect Vanity Fair’s typical reader would be someone well-informed, interested, or familiar with diverse matters. I’m unsure how that only means middle-class, white women.
having worked in the publishing industry, I can tell you that it really is this simple. Ebony, Latina, Advocate, Vanity Fair, Cosmo, US News, People, the Enquirer, Highlights for Kids… they ALL sell to their specific demographic.
publications in general begin and endure because of a lack of prior representation. that’s how they make money. by tapping into THAT SPECIFIC DEMOGRAPHIC.
I’m not opposed to discussing current racial issues and I’m not about to say that we are enjoying a lack thereof. but let’s talk about something a bit more in depth than a magazine run, supported and read by affluent caucasians. it really isn’t a racial thermometer.
Thank you! It is money making 101!
Taking a moment to be serious here. People make hundreds of decisions a day based on a number of factors, motivated and influenced by accumulated knowledge and experience and, yes, even race. That does not mean that if a white person chooses a white teller at the bank instead a black one that it’s a racist decision. It’s a decision based on race, sure, but there is a probability that it is not malevolent, but a simple seeking of sameness by the person making the decision. It goes both ways. Sure, it may be a racial decision, but is it racist?
All things being even, in a group of strangers at a bar, I would have a tendency to gravitate to people who like the same sports teams as me, over those who like rivals – be they black or white.
So, what starts out as a seemingly inconsequential, or even subconscious decision, starts this feed back loop of offense, disdain, irritation, anger and long, drawn-out and meaningless threads on blogs of dubious value.
exactly!
also what your are referring to could also be defined with the word prejudice since the original meaning of the word “racist” refers to someone who feels a certain race is (genetically) superior to all others.
We all have our prejudices (and gravitate towards what we know) but that alone does not make us racist. Especially if our prejudices were formed by significant events and experiences that shaped our perceptions.
When topics like this pop up, the commenters turn into a bunch of clucking hens.
So much self-righteous squabble.
Exactly. People take this shit so seriously. Lighten up.
not a race thing. i bet if halle berry was just strating out she WOULD be on that cover.
gabourey just isn “pretty” enough for vanity fair, regardless of her skin tone.
she sounds sweet . hope she gets real famous and vanity fair has to beg to have her on the cover some day :P