ANTM Jumps on the Blackface Bandwagon?
Here we go again…
Looks like Tyra Banks has joined the Blackface fashion craze. Tonight’s episode of America’s Next Top Model features the remaining contestants on location in Maui. The concept of the shoot is to attempt to make the contestants look biracial — hence some rocking brown skin.
Yes, there was a similar shoot some seasons ago, however, amidst the controversy brought on by the fashion industry’s recent obsession with Blackface, we’re perplexed as to why Tyra chose to give this concept the green light. We understand that the whole Blackface issue sparks heated debate, but that’s only because of it’s historical context. Many see such imagery as purely artistic, but non-White folks are not caricatures meant to inspire costumery.
Clutchettes and gents — we’d like to hear your take on this. Has ANTM caught Blackface mania? If so, is it acceptable when commissioned by a Black woman?
47 Comments – Add Yours
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Personally: I’m flattered. I believe one can either be upset about or choose to look at the bright side. I am an optimist. As black people we should all be proud of our heritage, skin, and culture. Look at it as more of a celebration. Finally we are getting the recognition of beauty we deserve as a race versus negative press. We have expeanded and are doing execptionally well in all aspects. I think people who are angered by it just want to plain out right mad! If you don’t have a solution then don’t add to turmoil by complaining. I ay choose the highroad and celebrate our GOD given beauty! Stop finding things to complain about!
Peace and Love
I haven’t watched an ANTM in a long time, but I recall her doing shoots like this before. They always change people’s looks on the show, so I don’t think it’s about trying to jump on the current “blackface bandwagon”. I agree with Alicia’s comment from before.
Stop Being so sensitive. Last night was actually teh 1st time Ive watched an episode of ANTM since forever ago. Tyra is annoying and self absorbed inmy book too but there was nothing else on. Black people are not the only people of color. Why cant people take things as COMPLIMENTS instead of always saying someone is making fun of us..They looked beautiful with our shades of color
i so agree with you jasmine
“Not sure if anyone is watching or will watch the episode but the shoot was depicting mixed races. One girl portrayed a Tibetan/Egyptian woman or a Moroccan/Russian woman. There were plenty of different combinations of races. In my opinion this, in no way, hearkens back to Blackface. If people want to be offended or disappointed, speak on behalf of all races, not just African Americans.”
I agree with both TAE & Ashley from 10.29.09.
those of you who think people should, “get over it” are just making it ok to say black/brown is beautiful as long as it’s not on US. until black women are seen as the beautiful women we are, i will not “get over it.” i’m glad you guys have bought into white ideals so much though ;)
This not cool no matter what the intent was. There was no need for this but to ruffle feathers, and given the history of black people making light of this opens the doors for those people who have obviously bad intentions to get in on the act and than claim innocence as they point to tyra. It doesnt matter if it looks cute.
I suggest you all who agree with this look up Shirley Q. Liquor to see what happens when you do not check this kind of BS.
I dont see why when we spend so much time and energy being WHITE WASHED, that its illegal for white women to appreciate black beauty and want to embody it. THe stereotypes that the orginal black face artists perpertuated arent seen here. THis is tasteful art.
@Clnmike: agree on both comments! thank you.
“white women to appreciate black beauty and want to embody it”
1- black face is not appreciating, it is mocking.
2- 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?
3- a painted white model means one less black model with a job.
4- 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.
This is nothing but a passive agressive form of racisim.
Why are people complaining about this? Ridiculous, ANTM already had a photoshoot where the girls became other races in Cycle 4. Get over yourselves and stop yelling racism at any insignificant thing.
I agree with TAE. I actually have not seen the episode yet – had to PVR it as I was doing my university courses late on Wed – so I cannot comment on whether or not I think it is racist or blackface until I have physically seen every bit of it. If you saw my comment on the vogue shoot, you will recall that I am from a very mixed race and look very much white except when naturally tanned – in which case I get comments because I could be anything from Latino to Mediterranean to Native American to whatever. My sister on the other hand is very dark and although she is stunning and gorgeous, she gets the ‘dirty’ comments and she suffers from racial backlash because she is a darker shade that isn’t quite I guess what people consider the ‘perfect’ shade?? (My poor sister has been so abused over her color that she scrubs her skin or tans day after day to change it – how is that acceptable in society that a person should feel that they are not good enough as they were created?) It is todays view on which ethnicity is ‘better’ and I find that totally hateful. Why can we not just love ourselves and love others for the beauty that we have and not care as much about the color of our skin?
My 2 cents.
Sorry not acceptable because she is black. Just hearing about the show and vogue layout brought tears to my eyes. Being called several names like creamy, mutt, and the list goes on. Just feels like a another way of hurting me without knowing me.
I felt as though they did a better job than that spread in Vouge, painting the girl in BLACK! (not trying to sound stupid)
Not everyone that is brown is black
therefore not every instance of people wearing brown makeup is aimed at poking fun at black people
“Not everyone that is brown is black”
True.
“therefore not every instance of people wearing brown makeup is aimed at poking fun at black people”
FALSE, painting your self up as another race is not a compliment, black people are not extinct yet, get a black model to prove your point.
Well it’s not like Tyra created this episode in the midst of the Vogue blackface brouhaha, it was filmed months ago. Secondly, I don’t believe it was in bad taste. Saw the episode, she’s done that concept before (dressing up in a different race) it’s not that spectacular or offensive if you ask me.
I get the arguement of why paint a model’s face black when you can just get a black model. That I agree with…but this is NOT a magazine layout. No black models missed out on the shine. No black models were competing for this spot. No black models lost work because a white model took there place.
This is just a bunch of no names trying to be someone and the photographer’s ‘artistic expression’. It’s not the first time she has done this. And if I am correct, this shoot happened a while ago, long before the Vogue magazine spread.
The two, in my opinion, can not be compared.
To add, blackface is a mockery to blacks and is MORE then just putting on black makeup. It also included crude and outlandish images and behaviors (shucking and jiving) that stereotyped black people. AND not only whites did black face, but many black performers also donned the black face (and still do…lol).