Humbly,

ILYD

There has never been one instance that created a revolution or the downfall of a society. There have always been things that occured and continued to develop over time that have led to an outburst or the mistreatment of a people.

Images are powerful. Why do you think NYC created such a fuss over graf only to eventually see the power and implement into classic art galleries. The images in the John Mayer video of various graf, was more powerful than the song was. One picture can indeed spark a riot or change the world, don’t be so naive to think it can’t.

The picture of the Tibetan monk, the little gilr that was napalmed, hell as a hoops reference, the picture of the Holcombe Rucker sing can bring on all types of responses. Pictures, are powerful and this picture in the hands of a Bill O’reilly or some other person is dangerous.

I agree with not giving it power and possibly I have, but don’t think for a minute, that this picture hasn’t generated any feedback on the Vogue side as well. As Bobbito said, at least we are having a discourse, on a hoops board of all places.

the way to “not lead the majority on to believe they have more power over minorities” is to call them out when they are wrong and not silence our judgement. we have to remain critical. it is our duty to our past and our future. and great–you, me, and many of the progessives wil give that cover no more attention than it deserves, much less buy it, but it will construct a thought in lesser minds who aren’t as open. and for that i feel great that jeremy put this post up. the dialogue in and of itself has gotten people thinking. and that is a good thing.

I’m guessing no.

I get that LeBron designed his own clothing line, but why didn’t they take a stylish photo of him? Instead we get the power squat, the rage scream, the arm around the token supermodel/trophy woman in the inexplicable evening gown. If they’re pimping his clothing line, why isn’t she dressed along the same lines? If they want the evening gown look, why not put him in a suit.

He totally looks like King Kong (first thing I thought on seeing it).

At best, it’s condescending. At worst, it’s racist.

For a fashion magazine, it’s definitely fugly.

Divorced from context, the King Kong parallel might be just a playful callback to this other famous image. But this type of portrayal is connected to powerful stereotypes that still influence the way people think about race, and make them more likely to see Black men as all those things CCB mentioned as well as as rapists of white women. So Vogue really needs to be more careful when it comes to presenting images that can reinforce damaging stereotypes.

(It’s also interesting to contrast this with the cover they had with George Clooney and Giselle. Definitely no awkward and threatening hypermasculinity in that one, although to be fair it would make less sense with a non-athlete. I’m not sure why it ever does make sense, though.)

never said bron gets paid for being on the cover, and of course he is a nike athlete on contract…my point is that its the woman on his arm that’s the pay.