Kate Moss goes African
Blogged by: Tim Large
Kate Moss pictured in June 2006. Reuters photo by Alessia Pierdomenico
What's black and white and red all over? London's Independent newspaper, which last Friday put supermodel Kate Moss on its front cover (and on a poster insert) with her skin done up to make her look black.
Kate Moss is white, but Friday's paper was billed as an African issue - part of the Independent's RED campaign, in which politically right-on celebrities like U2 singer Bono take turns guest-editing to shine the spotlight on Africa (this time it was fashion designer Giorgio Armani). Next to Moss's picture was a caption that read: "NOT a fashion statement."
Huh? Just what kind of statement was it? The Indy's cover provoked a lot of head-scratching. And it lit up the online world with debate about whether or not the Kate Moss picture was an insult to Africa. Or worse, was it downright racist?
Hannah Pool certainly thinks so. Writing in the Guardian, she laments what she describes as a new trend in Britain in which celebrities feel free to resort to boot-polishing tricks, a bit like the old black-and-white minstrel shows.
"I suppose it is meant to be subversive, but what does it say about race today when a quality newspaper decides that its readers will only relate to Africa through a blacked-up white model rather than a real-life black woman?" Pool writes. "What does it say about the fight against HIV/AIDS if that is the only way to make us care?"
Sunny Hundal, editor of Asians in the Media, calls the front page an "absolute travesty" in the Pickled Politics blog. "A particularly typical example of liberal guilt 'we-feel-sorry-for-you' racism. You see they would have liked to have put a black model on the front but she just would not have sold as many copies. So they used a druggie." (Moss was recently pilloried by the press for reportedly taking cocaine.)
"Surely an African model such as Alek Wek, Liya Keybede or Iman would have had more significance," opines My Fashion Life, a fashion-industry blog.
What do you think? Did the Independent do Africa a disservice with its blacked-up Kate Moss cover? Was it a faux-pas or plain old racism? Or have the critics missed the point? Let us know your thoughts.
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17 responses to “Kate Moss goes African”
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26 Sep 2006 14:23:25 GMT
I completely agree with both Hundal and Pool. Putting Moss on the front cover undermines the whole point of what the Independent were talking (or trying to talk) about. It was a cheap trick to appeal to people, but it completely lacks any of the force this kind of discussion needs. There are plenty (though not enough) beautiful black women, but instead The Independent lazily chose Kate, because she is instantly recognisable and edgy. Yes, it was meant to be subversive, but so what? That subversiveness is not only weak, but it ignores the real issue. In fact, that front cover made a mockery of the whole Red campaign
28 Sep 2006 10:53:17 GMT
I think everyone has missed the point. A Kate Moss figure is needed, and used to grab attention. More attention means more readers, and therefore a greater number of people become informed about development issues, and, in this case, Africa. More readers aslo means more copies sold!!
But the travesty, and the point that has not been made, is that the population as a whole are disinterested in Afican affairs, requiring the use of a Kate Moss figure to hype up the issue. Unfortunately, the level of hype surrounding Kate Moss does not overcome the level of disinterest amongst the majority of British people. The main result is that the image grabs attention, but because of who the image is, attention is then diverted onto other issues. How much of the above article was about development? How much was about Kate Moss, racism, or disservice to Africa? And that was written on a development-related site. By the way...was the coverage on Africa any good??04 Oct 2006 12:55:09 GMT
If this isn't blackace, I don't know what is! This "recent trend" in which white British celebs "blacken up" is sickening. What is going on? Haven't we progressed enough as a race (human race, that is) to not have to turn the clock back 100 years to the days when minstrel shows were the rage?! What's next, putting black make up on white actors because whites want to see blacks in entertainment without actualy having to SEE them?! (Minstrel shows again) Come on, i'm not a stupid person, i know there still is, and will ALWAYS be tension between black and white, but at least we live in a society where we (blacks) don't have to be confronted with it in such a blatant way as Ms. Moss's cover.
05 Oct 2006 12:36:25 GMT
Corrina, I also "completely agree with Hundal and Pool." Hopefully, I misunderstood YOUR comment that "There are plenty (though not enough) beautiful black women,..." The part I think I misunderstood is "though not enough...." What is your perception of beauty as it pertains to black women? Is it Alek Wek? Iman? Halle Berry? Mariah Carey? Janet Jackson? india.arie? Oprah Winfrey (and not just when she's in full makeup!)? Mo'Nique (the comedienne)? Cicely Tyson? ...or is it all of those, and more??
Maybe that is where the problem lies. Maybe people, like Giorgio Armani, have a limited scope when it comes to black beauty, so they stay in their own comfort-zone. If that's the case, though, and "ignorance is bliss," there are A LOT of extremely blissful people out there. I hate to bring this up (although, I'm sure, plenty will think of it but be too afraid to say it, since UNCLE SCAM is playing BIG BROTHER so much, these days) but, isn't it strange that, since Dubya has been in office, race relations has done a 180...at least in the media. Unfortunately, there are soooo many people who believe whatever they see/read/hear; and there are soooo many people who KNOW that, if you tell a lie enough times (and enough people read/hear about it), it becomes "truth"...or at least something passing for truth that is VERY hard to fight against.05 Oct 2006 12:37:05 GMT
As a black man, I feel who cares... there are so many more important issues in the world, than your interpretation of art. Has anyone read the inside of the magazine to see why she was on the cover?
I wish other issues got this much unnecessary attention.06 Oct 2006 12:06:07 GMT
I didn't think the picture was racist at all. It was just art. Me being an artist, I know that we sometimes get bored and just paint our bodies. While Giorgio Armani is only a designer, in another sense you could call him a artist too. His only mistake was making art that would catch the eyes of such a paranoid African society. Sure he could of put a black model on the cover, but would it make him any different than the other designer's. The answer is no, it wouldn't. Artist love to be different and he did this by thinking out of the box and doing something that would completely catch people by surprise. I respect this man. I also feel sorry that he will have to possibly tone down any other work in the near future for people being foolishly offended by it.
I know racism is still alive and kicking in the world but by jeering and raging at anything that slightly might be racism agaisn't our race is only creating more from the other side. In this country of so called equality, why can we talk about them all we want but all they can do is bare it. I know their parents and grandparents werethe ones doing it tous but that is just that. They have nothing to do with the past and are ready to move on from that grissly part of history. Why can't we? I'm not saying to forget it,no certainly not that but if we can't get over what our parents our grandparent had to go through, how will we ever advance as a race?06 Oct 2006 12:07:26 GMT
I think we have to stop and look at what we are talking about before we say "Oh it was a good call to have Kate Moss in black body instead of getting an African model. It boosted sales and more people know about Africa now!" Give me a break. The publication being sold was not a fashion or leisure magazine. It is an INDEPENDENT LEFTEST newspaper meaning the people reading it are more than likely highly educated trendy and regular buyers of this publication. Regardless of who was on the cover it would have been purchased by the same people who purchased it last week. I do not stop purchasing the New York Times because the cover story has no interest for me today. So these people did not have to use Kate Moss and risk alienating the black community for sales. Was it done for shock value? To get us all talking perhaps? If that's the case we can't deny it worked and made us look not just at Africa but how Black people are STILL viewed ! around the globe in media.
06 Oct 2006 12:10:39 GMT
It's time for all people of color (African Americans to wakeup to)Boycott These Racist Slavemasters. Keep the pressure on don't let up this must be dealt with head-on.
06 Oct 2006 12:11:50 GMT
Of COURSE it's RACISM! They want you to think that it's not BECAUSE IT DOESN'T EXIST ANYMORE RIGHT....NOT! J'DUSA said it just right, so I don't need to repeat it!
06 Oct 2006 12:12:42 GMT
Using a faux-black person to market a cause can draw many parallels to enethical marketing. I understand the intentions - but because it is effective, it is not necessary the right thing to do, just as is targeting kids with cigarette ads. It is sad that Armani could not have found a decent black model that could have drawn the same crowd. I can think of several and while some of them may not be African, the are definitely still black when the lights and paint come off. Also, I did not understand commens above that "there are plenty (though not enough)" beautiful black women. Like another blogger, I could not figure out what that meant. Is the world facing a crisis of a shortage of beautiful black women? I didn't notice.
06 Oct 2006 12:12:55 GMT
What do you think? I feel that any fuse image only states " you people can't get the point across". For $$$$$ white people playing like they are Indians in the movies, white people playing black face on stage,. The white and black face make-up change shows. This was done for one reason, To make a white person look black not for a dark skin person to look white. KEEP IT REAL
Did the Independent do Africa a disservice with its blacked-up Kate Moss cover? Yes, To Africa and to African Americans and if you want to go further then that to all people of color. KEEP IT REAL Was it a faux-pas or plain old racism? As in old racism as you say, a real dark skin person could not walk down the street. Then White Americans started with the tanning phase. As long as they do it, it's ok to be dark if you can change it back later. Or have the critics missed the point? It's about money, would people buy it if it's to serious or will people buy it if it's entertaining to read or controversial. KEEP IT REAL Mark06 Oct 2006 12:13:31 GMT
It just doesn't work. You can't make a white, drug addicted bean pole into a beauiful african queen. I'm completely disgusted by this picture. I never want to see it again. I think it should be burned immediately.
06 Oct 2006 12:14:58 GMT
The Kate Moss Independent magazine cover is an ongoing subtle way to express racism reflecting in the minds of white people. The white world will insult Black people on their jobs in more subtle ways through this life due to the participation of many blacks thinking they have made it to the top, but in reality they too are crushed by these devils(white)...good example Sean Puffy Jones would rather be surrounded by these beasts in fashion ads...I'm sure he would have a more positive reflection of himself surrounded by his African sisters, or better yet he could have used his Mom if he needed a woman fiqure...but this is America the land of foolishness...and yes there are many Black Models and Actors thinking that they are on top of things...but they too choose to cater to the White Greedy Moguls...or shall I say the slave drivers...the white people who run this country...I am not stating this to be prejudice...I am of mixed race...! and I can see what is really going on...Rosa's are still at the back of the bus...and I am a half century old...and everyday I have to face these ignorant slow brain processing devils...even more so they are producing and teaching their children the same patterns...Black people that feel that they are above this are also foolish...and they follow in the white devil pattern...thinking that they will be accepted...learn to be human first...the world evolves...and some of us are watching for the day to represent Equality...One World...One Love...Love is our religion...
06 Oct 2006 12:16:42 GMT
I am all for fashion, and if this picture of Kate Moss as an African American was for a fashion photo I would think of it as art. However when it comes to tribute and politics you cannot make this kind of gesture. It is an insult. And what is even worse, why would you want to use an unrealistic situation to represent something as serious as the humanity of the African American race. This is a redundant display of the lack of thought and humility that is displayed when it comes to African Americans and other nationalities for that matter.
06 Oct 2006 12:17:36 GMT
At first when I looked at the picture and read some articles on the matter, I totally agreed that is was a travesty and really racist. But then I began to think about it. I think the reason Armani put a white model in black face on the cover was to grab your attention. Not how you make think, I think that the point was to say that we are raising money for Aids relief in Africa for Africans, but they are not the only ones affected by the epidemic. It is not just there crisis it is a human crisis. I would hope that he had the insight to think that way. And yeah just like sex sales so does conflict.
17 Oct 2006 11:46:37 GMT
what is this racist crap? black people fought too hard against the british and americans for this!!! what century are we living in god!
28 Dec 2006 12:52:00 GMT
This is racist crap. And the people who organized this should be ashamed of themselves. Kate Moss is no role model for anyone anyways.