Daria Werbowy Editorial Racist? Nah! I Only Noticed The Black Folks Anyway!

So I was over at HuffPost when I came across a this post asking if this Daria Werbowy editorial was racist.  Now I fully admit that I was ready to get all upset, and at first, looking at these images, I was about ready to roll my eyes and mumble about the precious "virtue" of white women in racial images.  However, when I looked at the images closer, I found that the the white model just really wasn't eye catching to me in the long term.

I think I knew what they were going for of course.  Don't get me wrong.  They were absolutely using the black models as props to have the white model stand out, like some jewel in the ruff, but I found that the black models actually made the photos for me.  She's not remarkable.  I don't even find the white model very attractive (she's no Adriana Lima), although she could be classified as pretty.  Her clothing is lovely, but I want to wear what the "props" have on.

She seems uninvited; like she crashed one of the hippest parties in town, after having run away from some lame, boring party in the Hamptons with uptight rich folks.  I want to be at this party, as it ultimately seems she wanted to be.  She doesn't fit in.  She seems terribly demode.  The black female models outshine her as their skin is far more conducive to looking attractive while perspiring in a hot ass club.  Their head wraps and makeup make them look like regal and strong; sexy and svengali-like.

It sees like most of the patrons in this club scene are not paying attention to her.  They are going about their business with the occasional guy who seems to be there to make sure she doesn't get lost, but he also seems like he can't really be bothered. 

This is not the first time this has failed.  Back in 2007, I wrote about Vogue India's Inaugural issue having two Indian models flanking a white model in the middle.  The effects are the same.  The model in the middle really didn't have a purpose as she was outshined by the models on either side of her. 

I think as I progresss in age, and I get more comfortable in my skin--as we all do as we age--I am not falling into the traps about what beauty should look like or what I, as a black woman, should strive to be.  I find that I find all women beautiful, but I will not hold white women to some gold standard because they are women just like me, and they are beautiful just as I am.  That's why I'm not even mad at these photos (more are visible at the hyperlink).  The message was lost on me because black is just too damned beautiful for me to not notice.

She's Not Gonna Have Sex With You Dude

So it's no shock that women don't appreciate the exploitation of women in these mags. Contrary to popular belief, some of these publications DO hide a decent article or album review beneath all the bikinis and booty so I'll continue to flip through them for just that.

Some say that men who condone the exploitation of women are worse than the women who allow themselves to be exploited. I don't feel like arguing that today. I don't care either way because I know something that most men & women don't: The cover girls of Maxim, King, Smooth, FHM, and Stuff aren't having sex with men like us!

They lie in their interview and say dumb stuff like.

"I just want a man who can treat me right. I need a regular guy."

You know why they say that?

Because it's regular guys who buy these publications, not the rich men that are taking them on trips to Tahiti for no reason. The interview gives you, 'Jim J McRegular Guy' the illusion of chance. You read the interview and you start thinking that you have a chance at one of these gorgeous women.

Newsflash asshole...You don't.

You want to see something funny ladies, watch a group of men look at one of these magazines. You'll see us all crowded around the magazine like a laptop with a porno playing. And then one dude in the group hollers out...

"Man if I was dating her, you couldnt tell me nothing !! Man Imma go to L.A. and pull her. Go, put my mack down."

What are you talking about? You work 7 hours a week at Dairy Queen, Vida Guerra DOES NOT WANT TO HAVE SEX WITH YOU. You're not even on the Blizzard machine yet. You still make Chili dogs. Lower your expectations and give the girl at the Dollar Store your phone number. She's half way cute, her limp is kind of sexy, and taking her to Wal-Mart would be the equivalent of taking Vida Guerra to Tahiti.