I don’t think Amber Rose is Black. I am not even sure if she is mixed with Black. But she is bi-racial. And calling bi-racial people Black without thinking is a problem in this country. And I am not talking about bi-racial people identifying as only one race because people have the right to identify as whoever they are. Although it is okay for a black and white mixed person to say that they are Black but not okay to say that they are white. I know a girl who filled out an application at a fast food restaurant and checked Black and White and the manager interviewing her erased white right in front of her. These one drop of Black Blood/Only whiteness can be diluted ideas seem to be so mainstream and no one seems to be questioning anything. I was bothered by this in another article that Jezebel had that was talking about a bi-racial girl and it was just titled African-American. I’m not about to go deep into this but it just bothers me. In short it robs people of their identities and enforces racial stratification.
Oh did you read the sentence after that? Because I am for certain that she is mixed. And I think Wikipedia said that like a month ago when I read it. And her biracial ethnicity is the point of my comment. Did you not understand that? I can break it down for you if you want. Also, my uncertainty on any subject doesn't exclude me from commenting. Thanks.
I think a bit of history might help put into context why the image of a caged black woman is so deeply problematic. The story of Saartjie Baartman ("The Hottentot Venus") is archetypal of European colonial brutalization of African women and their sexuality. As a slave from South Africa in the 19th c., she was taken to Europe and put on display, behind bars, in a traveling circus. After she died, they put her genitalia in a museum. She was absolutely seen as somewhere between human and animal and was subjected to poking and prodding and testing and gawking. This view of Africans as not-quite human/not-quite-animal was central to European colonialism and slavery.
This shit ain't innocent, folks. Imagine a FASHION photoshoot of a black model being lynched. Then imagine trying to defend it on artistic grounds.
I didn't think so.
I am also tempted to think that Grace Jones, being a pretty serious artist in my views, could perhaps have seen these photos of herself speaking back to that history with power and rage. I'd like to think.
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Edited by Sarah Sommeliera at 08/15/09 10:53 PM
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Check out The Amazing Grace Jones in her own words along with her incredible photos: http://www.theworldofgracejones.com/
I recently saw her perform in LA and she was incredible and as strong as ever.
As for the photos - ANY person - male or female - in a cage is shameful. But - I don't really object to exploring verboten worlds in art/photos. I do object to a lame attempt at imitation of an icon.
I for one am interested in the stories behind Grace Jones' photoshoots here. Did she have any creative control over the images? Were they her idea? How much of a role did she have in the creative process?
An interesting analysis, but I think the more interesting question is, what do your observations do to Jenna's objection that the images exhibit the fixation on "black women as animals"? Does it mitigate it, or amplify it?
For me, at least, my knee-jerk reaction was softer=less animalistic=better, but now that I'm thinking about it, that doesn't really make any sense. Grace Jones is "animal" in a "don't fuck with me, I will eat your face" kind of way, while Amber Rose gives off an "I'm a fierce sex kitten who just needs to be shown who's boss" vibe.
So, I guess my question is (and I'm not really sure what my answer is, even) which is worse: black woman as literally an animal, or black woman who is animal*istic* in the sense that she is exotic/wild/sensual? On the one hand, Jones seems to demand more power, but on the other, she seems not even human. But then, it is Grace Jones.
@GiovannaSpider: Im having a similar reaction as you did. The Amber Rose photos look like a Megan Foxification of Grace Jones's photo shoot. For myself, as a WOC, I would rather not have either portrayal.
@GiovannaSpider: Grace Jones has always seemed to exude a supernaturalness to me, both with her personal style and music - an animal seems more of an extension of that. Jones seems to take on new personas, and make them herself for awhile. She takes that power and makes it herself. Amber Rose doesn't seem to be taking on the "animal" part, just the "sexy" part, which makes the message totally different.
@LVA83: Oh a couple posts down Malaise said according to wikipedia she is Italian and Portuguese...I think those are both considered Caucasian though...I've been told the Portuguese in me is considered white anyway...
@LVA83: She's part Cape Verdean and part Italian, as I understand it. The Cape Verde Islands, off the West Coast of Africa, were a Portuguese colony, so I would guess that Amber Rose is part (black) African with some Portuguese ancestry mixed in there, and part Italian.
I don't think race is the issue here, it is simply that Grace Jones is fucking ferocious. Amber Rose, on the other hand, looks like the weaker link juxtaposed with Grace. Grace Jones is of another species, from another planet. An icon forever for me, whatever her skin colour.
@PogoStick09: y'know? Every time I see Amber Rose, I feel like I'm looking at a weird mannequin- not even 80's flick mannequin come to life-- just a mannequin. Grace Jones scares the hell out of me in such an awesome way, she seriously looks like she could single handedly defend earth from invading aliens.
While I see the Jenna's point, I often wonder if this constant criticism is one of the reasons that there are so few black women visible in the modeling, television, and film industries. I wonder if the restrictions directors, photographers, etc feel make them hesitant to use black models. I am sure there have been shots of white models in cages at some point. I understand why the reaction would be different but would this different reaction prevent black models from working.
As an example, I find myself coming up with various complaints some black people would have had with Eva Longoria's character if they had cast a black woman/family in that role. Another is Jada Pinkett's show. It is so boring because they've made the character so perfect it is nauseating.
@sshacker: I feel that blaming the victim for the oppressor's ignorance kind of ignores the point of the article. Saying that photographers are "restricted" implies that Black people are just "sensitive" to the issue. It seems to ignore the historical context and degradation... It would be better to have more POC (particularly WOC) involved in the production level of these shoots such that these subconscious colonial ideas don't seep onto the images.
@sshacker: I doubt that worries about shoots coming off as racist are preventing black models from working. From what I've seen, most magazines use black models in the most offensive, stereotypical shots and use white models for everything else. If anything, it's the total lack of seeing black women as multidimensional people that can do more than just "ethic" or "exotic" shoots that hurts black models' careers.
@embarcadero13: My intention wasn't to blame the 'victim' (I hate the idea that because of my race, I am perpetually a victim). I don't see any point in denying that Black people are sensitive to issues regarding race, with good reason. I am not sure having a WOC behind the scenes would necessarily change things. Isn't Complex magazine marketed to a Black audience?
They're not a lot of things that are fair when it comes to issues of race or racial privilege but it doesn't preclude that fact that our human response to racial issues given our history may prevent people from wanting to work with us because of the delicacy of the situation.
@sshacker:
Okay, instead of using the term "blaming the victim" I will now say "justifying the oppressor."
And I'm with Artemis-- it's not the Black response that is the problem. It's the act that elicits said response. Here, it's the manner in which Black women are seen through the lense of the dominant white gaze, reduced to the Other, and at best, the Normalized Other.
If producers had enough complex (ha) knowledge about the subjects of their photos, then there would be less need to tiptoe around the subjects, as there would be less likelihood of offense. . . As everyone has suggested, blonde/white models are treated differently because they are seen as familiar human beings, rather than confusing, exotic, Others (not to say that white women aren't objectified, but I speak re: this particular subject). White women are mothers/ sisters/ cousins. Black women are Strange, viewed as if exhibits in a zoo.
Shows like Jada Pinkett's are boring because they don't know how to write a "realistic" Black character without the stereotypes. It's as if the producers ask themselves, "What do Black women like besides finger-snapping, hyperrsexual, neck-rolling or drugged out crackmom roles?" It follows, producers don't realistically portray Black women because they know what is "real" about us.
Also, BET has shown me that just because a market aims towards Black audiences, it is not immune from the same trap. Complex is not guaranteed to be in Black people's best interests just because it throws up some images of POC, nor is it a guaranteed to be run by POC at its very top level (again, see BET vs. Viacom).
There's also a marked difference between the feel of the two sets of photographs. The pictures with Amber Rose seem far more submissive and sexual, whereas those featuring Grace Jones show her as powerful and dominant - this is perhaps best illustrated by the contrast between the two cropped grey tee photographs. Grace Jones is in a strong, unyielding stance - arms held up and a set, determined face, etc. - Amber is posed with only one arm - in a weak position and with a loosely clenched fist -, more visible boob, and a suggestive sexyface. It seems like Grace is posing as a strong figure, while Amber is posed as an object of desire.
I don't know what this says or reflects, but it's an interesting contrast.
@Pugnacioun: Very good point. In each photograph Rose is shot in a very different way from Jones- a 3/4 portrait rather than a straight on portrait, a full body profile rather than turning her back to us as Jones does. I think the cage photos show the greatest variation. The different hand position (Jones' hand facing outward, Rose's inward), the supportive arm (Jones' bent, Rose's straight to the point of hyperextension), the forward leg (Jones has the back leg forward, with her hips "open" to us though not in a sexual way, whereas Rose has her front leg forward, giving her a protected look), and finally the cage itself: it can barely contain Jones, but Rose could easily crouch or hunker in hers. Jones is busting out- her foot is cropped but the entire cage is in the shot- whereas by cropping Rose's shot so that we cannot see the right side of the cage, they took all the tension out and completely contained her inside. It all goes to framing the emotion of the shot and the photographer for Rose was obviously not interested in portraying her as powerful or strong.
Because of the fact that we don't control our own iconography, images like the ones Goude shot ends up being representative of blacks as whole as opposed to what it is-an artist's exploration of his own fetishes.
Grace Jones is an amazing artist and always willing to test limits/boundaries. It makes me sad that her general arty freakiness is colored by the legacy and existence of racism and that her explorations/collaborations can't just be representative of the exploration itself.
She, herself, has compared herself to a lioness/panther/big cat and her energy is nothing less than regal and fierce. I think the cage image represents more the artist fear of being dominated by her power and the need to reduce her to something that he can contain/control. The image isn't as disturbing as his need.
Doesn't Shakira put herself in a cage in her new video. Women unfortunately often willingly participate in their own objectification. Shakira is at a stage in her career where she's calling her own shots, so wtf?Having said that, Grace Jones OWNS her image. I'm a HUGE fan. And Amber, sorry, I don't REALLY know who you are, but you are no Grace Jones.
@Highsmith: I JUST saw the Shakira video last weekend and I disgusted. But I don't know-- did she really "put herself" in the cage? And if so, is it any better that a woman feels the need to do this in order to sell records.
@embarcadero13: There was a quote (maybe here on Jezebel?) from Shakira about how she found the video concept sexy and empowering, or some shit like that. I haven't seen the video, but I was like "You found being in a cage empowering? Really?" Hmm.
@titilayo-yo-yo-yo: I'm pretty sure the cage isn't necessarily an inherently empowering image, but rather an interpretation of the lyrics. She's in a relationship with a man who expects her to be domestic and monogamous, but she wants something more, and wants to be "let out so [she] can breathe." It's more part of the situation she finds herself in than a "being in a cage makes me feel powerful" kind of thing.
Came back to add: most of these shots pretty much suck for MANY reasons, but mostly beccause of the traditional objectification of all women - and yes, bondage is VERY disturbing outside of someone (else)'s bedroom.
I'm reminded of when they created the Spice Girls-at first Mel B was something really awful, like "Urban Spice" and then they went "subtle", put her jungle prints, and called her "Scary Spice."
08/17/09
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Oh did you read the sentence after that? Because I am for certain that she is mixed. And I think Wikipedia said that like a month ago when I read it. And her biracial ethnicity is the point of my comment. Did you not understand that? I can break it down for you if you want. Also, my uncertainty on any subject doesn't exclude me from commenting. Thanks.
08/15/09
This shit ain't innocent, folks. Imagine a FASHION photoshoot of a black model being lynched. Then imagine trying to defend it on artistic grounds.
I didn't think so.
I am also tempted to think that Grace Jones, being a pretty serious artist in my views, could perhaps have seen these photos of herself speaking back to that history with power and rage. I'd like to think.
08/16/09
08/15/09
I recently saw her perform in LA and she was incredible and as strong as ever.
As for the photos - ANY person - male or female - in a cage is shameful. But - I don't really object to exploring verboten worlds in art/photos. I do object to a lame attempt at imitation of an icon.
08/16/09
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08/14/09
For me, at least, my knee-jerk reaction was softer=less animalistic=better, but now that I'm thinking about it, that doesn't really make any sense. Grace Jones is "animal" in a "don't fuck with me, I will eat your face" kind of way, while Amber Rose gives off an "I'm a fierce sex kitten who just needs to be shown who's boss" vibe.
So, I guess my question is (and I'm not really sure what my answer is, even) which is worse: black woman as literally an animal, or black woman who is animal*istic* in the sense that she is exotic/wild/sensual? On the one hand, Jones seems to demand more power, but on the other, she seems not even human. But then, it is Grace Jones.
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As an example, I find myself coming up with various complaints some black people would have had with Eva Longoria's character if they had cast a black woman/family in that role. Another is Jada Pinkett's show. It is so boring because they've made the character so perfect it is nauseating.
08/14/09
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08/14/09
They're not a lot of things that are fair when it comes to issues of race or racial privilege but it doesn't preclude that fact that our human response to racial issues given our history may prevent people from wanting to work with us because of the delicacy of the situation.
08/14/09
Okay, instead of using the term "blaming the victim" I will now say "justifying the oppressor."
And I'm with Artemis-- it's not the Black response that is the problem. It's the act that elicits said response. Here, it's the manner in which Black women are seen through the lense of the dominant white gaze, reduced to the Other, and at best, the Normalized Other.
If producers had enough complex (ha) knowledge about the subjects of their photos, then there would be less need to tiptoe around the subjects, as there would be less likelihood of offense. . . As everyone has suggested, blonde/white models are treated differently because they are seen as familiar human beings, rather than confusing, exotic, Others (not to say that white women aren't objectified, but I speak re: this particular subject). White women are mothers/ sisters/ cousins. Black women are Strange, viewed as if exhibits in a zoo.
Shows like Jada Pinkett's are boring because they don't know how to write a "realistic" Black character without the stereotypes. It's as if the producers ask themselves, "What do Black women like besides finger-snapping, hyperrsexual, neck-rolling or drugged out crackmom roles?" It follows, producers don't realistically portray Black women because they know what is "real" about us.
Also, BET has shown me that just because a market aims towards Black audiences, it is not immune from the same trap. Complex is not guaranteed to be in Black people's best interests just because it throws up some images of POC, nor is it a guaranteed to be run by POC at its very top level (again, see BET vs. Viacom).
08/14/09
I don't know what this says or reflects, but it's an interesting contrast.
08/14/09
08/14/09
Grace Jones is an amazing artist and always willing to test limits/boundaries. It makes me sad that her general arty freakiness is colored by the legacy and existence of racism and that her explorations/collaborations can't just be representative of the exploration itself.
She, herself, has compared herself to a lioness/panther/big cat and her energy is nothing less than regal and fierce. I think the cage image represents more the artist fear of being dominated by her power and the need to reduce her to something that he can contain/control. The image isn't as disturbing as his need.
08/14/09
08/14/09
08/15/09
08/15/09
08/14/09
Came back to add: most of these shots pretty much suck for MANY reasons, but mostly beccause of the traditional objectification of all women - and yes, bondage is VERY disturbing outside of someone (else)'s bedroom.
08/14/09