LeBron as King Kong?

[GodlyAspiringDr]

Have you guys heard the talk about the Vogue cover featuring LeBron?
Some have thought the cover reeks of King Kong.... I must say that the similarity is striking and kinda scary. Just another example of the subliminal and not so subliminal messages we get fed in this society...

- http://www.racialicious.com/2008/03/...over-of-vogue/

[ladygreek]

it's a stupid cover.

[rhoyaltempest]

I'm sorry but King Kong (and I've seen the original movie a thousand times and recognize the racist implications although debatable) didn't come to mind when I first saw the cover.

We need to ask ourselves (as a society) why we think this way when it's uncalled for.

[AKA_Monet]

I think the cover is lame. Is it racist? I don't think so. But what are they trying to sell? It sounds like Vogue wanted to generate this kind of dialogue.

[lovehaiku84]

Originally Posted by AKA_Monet

I think the cover is lame. Is it racist? I don't think so. But what are they trying to sell? It sounds like Vogue wanted to generate this kind of dialogue.

ITA w/ you and LadyGreek. But it does strike me as odd that inside of the magazine they have an actual spread with the woman and King Kong in that same exact pose. Whatever though.

[Marie]

I agree that the cover is very King Kong-ish. Not worth me getting worked up over...but still not a good look.

[tld221]

i too think the cover is lame. i wouldnt buy it off newstands.

wasnt there some hoopla over a cover with Kanye with similar race banter?

[Honeykiss1974]

That cover sucks. My eyes are offended.

[jitterbug13]

Originally Posted by tld221

wasnt there some hoopla over a cover with Kanye with similar race banter?

He had a picture with a model in last year's Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition.

I agree that the pic's not all of that. But lost in all of this is that King James is the first African-American male (and third male) on the cover of Vogue.

[Ten/Four]

I don't know what the article was about, but I would've liked to see LeBron in a suit. I usually like what he's wearing when he's dressed up.

[DSTCHAOS]

bump because I just read something...

So I'm not really moved by the cover either way, which doesn't mean a darn thing in terms of others being offended of course. But I definitely thought of King Kong when I first saw the cover. Not so much "dangerous black man captures white woman," but King Kong. I mean, basketball players who are fierce on the court have appeared on magazine covers before without looking like...basketball players.

I read this article http://msn.foxsports.com/nba/story/7...PHCP&GT1=39002 and didn't totally disagree with Whitlock but also think he's ignoring what a lot of people are ignoring. That imagery is real and it's based on a number of factors both intentional and unintentional.

Some of the replies to the article are dumb. Especially the ones that say "hey people...get over race...it's unimportant...people are reading too much into stuff...btw, I'm WHITE!" Uh...thanks...thought race was unimportant for a second.

However, the most brilliant reply is on the first page from "dtrader."


Anywho....

[ladygreek]

My reaction is even more basic. What is it about the cover that will generate magazine sales--White girl fantasies about being mishandled by a Mandingo? If that is the case then that is problematic.

On a talk show yesterday morning, they showed other shots that could have graced the cover--nicely done. But I will be honest and if i had not seen the cover in the contest of a MB I don't think I would have thought King King, but rather what I stated above.

So to me it is just plain stupid, and I have bigger fish to fry.

[jojapeach]

I first saw the cover and it made me think of that song "Tatted Up" where guy is just randomly screaming/singing/yelling. I looked at the cover and thought the same thing: Why is he just yelling?

Then, I took in the whole picture and immediately saw the allusion to King Kong. I wanted to get angry, but then I realized that Vogue was milking the public for every ounce of publicity they could ever desire and more. I don't even read Vogue, but I know all about this "controversial" issue. So do the morning show radio DJs, sports talk analysts, and other media outlets. Mission accomplished.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

So to me it is just plain stupid, and I have bigger fish to fry.

Go fry dem fish den and make sho u use whole wheat badddder.

FISH FRY AT LADYGREEK CRIB!!!

I like how marketing people front like they don't take advantage of imagery. They may not articulate it in a certain way (especially to the public) but they know what's up. Definitely.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by jojapeach

I first saw the cover and it made me think of that song "Tatted Up" where guy is just randomly screaming/singing/yelling. I looked at the cover and thought the same thing: Why is he just yelling?

Then, I took in the whole picture and immediately saw the allusion to King Kong. I wanted to get angry, but then I realized that Vogue was milking the public for every ounce of publicity they could ever desire and more. I don't even read Vogue, but I know all about this "controversial" issue. So do the morning show radio DJs, sports talk analysts, and other media outlets. Mission accomplished.

LOL @ that really dumb song and now you have me hearing that yelling part. Whitlock also referenced the tatted up culture and asked why we're not outraged at that.

It's funny because Vogue hit the nail on the head whereas other attempts at controversy/attention fsometimes fail miserably. Think Nas and Kelis. People vaguely remember their attempt but the best they got was worst dressed list and THE GAS FACE. They should've gone with imagery versus the blatant "look of me."