I see how it's a problematic photo shoot concept but I still don't really think it's analogous to "blackface". It is problematic in other ways- it essentializes and co-opts races for artistic effect. That's a problem. But it's not "blackface". It is possible for a racial shoot to be problematic without it being "blackface"... I don't know if I feel comfortable using this term to describe something like this. I can't really explain why.
@TurtleSpeak:
I'm okay with calling it blackface. It might be possibly well-intended blackface, but it's still blackface. It doesn't have to be the clowny Sambo version to be blackface. It's still appropriation. Here's where it gets blurry: like actors, models are hired to create an illusion. Would this even be an issue if models of color were adequately represented? Would everyone be free to paint up as they pleased?
I'm not sure what to think. As an artist, it makes me sad that racism affects even the most innocent exploration. There are things that you might be drawn to aesthetically that you might have to pull back on because of how they'll be percieved.
@rodmanstreet: Maybe we should send this to Mr. Jay. I would kill to see an 80s film babe shoot: Dana/Zuul, Weird Science gal, Ally Sheedy as the Basketcase...wait they did that one...
@wordinedgewise: It's bad enough when I'm stifling laughter about my own joke, but this put me over the top. I had to excuse myself from my desk to stop the giggles in the bathroom. Now that I'm back, they are too.
Thanks for slipping that "sorta" in the title of this post. I watched this yesterday, and that SORTA came through loud and clear to me. But I felt like that was more Tyra's egomania than anything else. "Me? Admit a mistake?"
I clicked the link to the VB article and was pleasantly surprised. Those photos with the kids with Beckham were really lovely. I want very much to be cynical and say that she was merely doing this for some good publicity, but I don't think that is the case. As far as photo ops and charity work go, there are far more glamourous causes these days (hence why every damn celebrity/socialite shills for Operation Smile), and more exotic places to go that Clay County, Kentucky. Her smile seemed really genuine, and even if she was playing it up for the cameras, I highly doubt that those kids were. #victoriabeckham
@Tchotchke: I really liked the last one where you can barely see her. I think a lot of celebs would have insisted on sitting at the front of that big crowd of kids rather than being jammed way in at the back.
But as I said in another thread I am an unabashed VB apologist! #victoriabeckham
Is "I hate doing school scenes and office scenes" the hollywood equivalent of "I never want to have a desk job?" Are offices so terrible that even pretending to work in one is miserable? #victoriabeckham
@NellMood: But how many films are set in offices? Lots! And how many films show life on a film set? Not many. Secretly, movie stars desperately want to be just like us, working in offices, complaining about air conditioning and eavesdropping on conversations in the next cubicle. #victoriabeckham
@heykoukla: Do you think celebrities secretly gaze at office workers coming out of starbucks with lattes and think "They drink coffee! Real people are just like us!"? #victoriabeckham
@NellMood: For sure - why else do you think we always see them holding Starbucks coffees? They're pretending they're on their lunch break. #victoriabeckham
@heykoukla: I wonder if there are secret magazines ("Regular." "Them.") just for celebrities full of accountants and dentists driving Hondas and picking up their own dry-cleaning. #victoriabeckham
Geez Ethan, in a world with TMZ and paparazzi who jump in front of cars and call celebs whores to get a reaction, you think Gawker Stalker is a problem? #victoriabeckham
@helladesigner: She has the same smile and upturned, scrunchy mouse nose as my little sister. They really do look similar So I can only be fond of VB as a result! Plus she always seems really funny and self-deprecating in interviews, she's very happy to take the piss out of herself, which I appreciate in a celebrity. #victoriabeckham
@rah29: Aww, that's really cute! Your sister must be adorable. My younger sister resembles Little J on Gossip Girl, so I get what you're saying :)
I just think it's so funny how VB's entire face changes when she smiles. It's quite lovely. I've watched a couple of her interviews, and I've found myself smiling when she smiles or laughs. (But I'm also one of those people who cries and laughs when someone else is crying or laughing, I can't help but be emotive.) #victoriabeckham
11/19/09
So easy and simple. That is how you "apologize." It's a different thing than "attempt to justify" or "rationalize."
11/19/09
11/19/09
I'm okay with calling it blackface. It might be possibly well-intended blackface, but it's still blackface. It doesn't have to be the clowny Sambo version to be blackface. It's still appropriation. Here's where it gets blurry: like actors, models are hired to create an illusion. Would this even be an issue if models of color were adequately represented? Would everyone be free to paint up as they pleased?
I'm not sure what to think. As an artist, it makes me sad that racism affects even the most innocent exploration. There are things that you might be drawn to aesthetically that you might have to pull back on because of how they'll be percieved.
11/19/09
THERE IS NO TYRA ONLY ZUUL!
11/19/09
11/19/09
@TransFat: You have to admit, the resemblance is striking.
11/19/09
@TransFat: I'll see your Zuul and raise you one Google search for "80's hair."
11/19/09
11/19/09
ps-This is the only time I've ever resembled Ms. Weaver—when she played a sexed-up demon from an 80s movie. Crazy.
11/19/09
@rodmanstreet: Maybe we should send this to Mr. Jay. I would kill to see an 80s film babe shoot: Dana/Zuul, Weird Science gal, Ally Sheedy as the Basketcase...wait they did that one...
@wordinedgewise: It's bad enough when I'm stifling laughter about my own joke, but this put me over the top. I had to excuse myself from my desk to stop the giggles in the bathroom. Now that I'm back, they are too.
11/19/09
11/19/09
I thought her number one passion was slutshaming.
11/19/09
11/19/09
11/19/09
11/17/09
11/16/09
One five gallon pail sucked down with a straw does NOT meet the guidelines for a legal cocktail. #victoriabeckham
11/16/09
11/16/09
11/16/09
But as I said in another thread I am an unabashed VB apologist! #victoriabeckham
11/16/09
11/16/09
11/16/09
11/16/09
11/16/09
11/16/09
11/16/09
11/16/09
now I've got to wipe up my keyboard. #victoriabeckham
11/16/09
11/16/09
11/16/09
There. I said it. I can't help myself! #victoriabeckham
11/16/09
11/16/09
11/16/09
I just think it's so funny how VB's entire face changes when she smiles. It's quite lovely. I've watched a couple of her interviews, and I've found myself smiling when she smiles or laughs. (But I'm also one of those people who cries and laughs when someone else is crying or laughing, I can't help but be emotive.) #victoriabeckham