Jezebel 
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New York, 1:35 AM
Mon Nov 9
19 posts in the last 24 hours
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08/17/09
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08/17/09
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.
08/14/09
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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.
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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