Remember the late ’90s graffiti inspired magazine era of Stress, Ego Trip, and On The Go? Earlier this year, I was featured in Bombin’ Magazine and it reminded me of those days when hip hop inspired magazines had a some twist to them. I peeped their latest cover which came out yesterday, and approached publisher Craig Dershowitz, who had this to say about the potentially controversial imagery:
“It is out international issue. We reviewed a book called Child Soldiers and were very moved by the plight of children forced into the army in many nations. Then, we began to realize that the issue is not just foreign, but, that in our own country, gangs, poverty, and the prison system force children into similarly terrible situations. Those kids . . . those are their real guns. Some might look at the cover and go, ‘wow, cool.’ We want them to then think ‘what is wrong with me? Why is this cool’ and then realize that we need to protect our youth . . .”
Check out their site www.bombin-magazine.com and catch the new print copy at Borders or Barnes & Noble.
November 11th, 2008 at 9:12 pm
Teddy "Doowop" says:
I got a real problem with that cover. I understand the publisher’s intention, but I dont think he accomplishes his goal. I just cant help thinking that this guy is making a profit off of the terrible military situations in many countries. It’s also fairly obvious to recognize that the photographer directed the children to be positioned like that. I understand that maybe he’s trying to explore the fact that even these kids think that their situation is “cool”, but if he really cared why wouldnt he just take a snapshot of a group of them marching in line?
November 12th, 2008 at 1:49 am
MOVEZ A.K.A. I AM NETWORK says:
TRUE STORY!!!!! WE NEED OUR ROLL MODELS TO STEP UP PARENTS, ATHLETES, OLDER TEENS AND YOUNG ADULTS IN THESE COMMUNITIES, IF 12 YEAR OLD IS HANGING OUT ON THE STREETS WITH THESE HUSTLERS AND THEY NOTICE THE KID DO SOMETHING THEY SHOULDN’T BE THE HUSTLER WOULD SAY “SHORTY YOUR GANSTER”..THAT COULD MAKE THE KID BECOME A MONSTER!, IT WOULD MAKE THEM DO MORE TO IMPRESS THAT HUSTLER AND MAYBE TTRY TO BECOME THEM ONE DAY ……THE YOUTH!…….THE FUTURE!…….THE WORLD!…..FREE SLOGAN 4 YA
November 12th, 2008 at 10:22 am
FM says:
in my experience graffiti writers are just kids who never grew up. when famous practitioners get caught, e.g. Alan Ket (founder of Stress magazine), they expect the community to rally round and bail their behinds out! take responsibilty for your actions man. it doesn’t surprise me AT ALL to see inappropriate or immature imagery in a graffiti publication. i have some acquaintances who are writers and they’re still shoplifting and scribbling in public bathrooms at age 30. pretty pathetic.
November 12th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
funkalot says:
I must concur with everyone’s sentiment, of blatant irresponsibility. Clearly, the cover was designed to provoke attraction for sales. This is one of the worst examples of capitalist promulgation. A retraction is warranted and demanded. To be sure Bob, y’all should fade this story, too.
Unfunky!
November 12th, 2008 at 2:25 pm
illest says:
Stress, Ego Trip and On the Go were very hot magazines at the time. This right here is a disgrace.
November 25th, 2008 at 12:27 pm
Craig Dershowitz says:
I encourage every and all those with an opinion to put the keyboard down and raise up a child. Begin some activity to prevent the many factors contributing to the degradation of our youth. I don’t care what. Just do anything other then talk.
As for those with what to say about graffiti artists, you should be aware that friends are the truest representation of ourselves. While you are judging them, they are creating art, expressing a discontentment for their surroundings and overall, creating.
What are you doing?
January 8th, 2009 at 4:43 pm
Harper Maverick says:
I came across this thread as I am a big fan of the arts. I am also a mother to a 10-year old boy.
While I advocate art in various forms, I find this cover very offensive and agree with the previous comments that it was an irresponsible move on the publisher’s part.
Why do we have to exploit children in such vain?