Controversy over Diddy’s “Unforgivable” ad campaign
CVK
Some people are really pissed about Diddy’s ad campaign for his new fragrance, Unforgivable. Why? Because he used Asian, Latina and white models - but no black women. Some sarcastic commentary from SOHH.com:
Now, I can already see you BLACK WOMEN complaining about he doesn’t have you in the ads. Even as you read this, you’re probably doing that thing ya’ll do with ya’ll neck when you’re riled up. Don’t go there.
Diddy has been supporting his BLACK WOMEN from day one. When he needs some tailfeathers to shake in a video, who does he call? BLACK WOMEN (read: LIGHT-SKINNED BLACK WOMEN). When he’s paying that child support, who does he send that check to? A BLACK WOMAN. Kim Porter is getting enough money a month to get her hair did every half-hour. So don’t act like he’s not down for his BLACK WOMAN.
The bottom line is that unless you’re a white man (Shout out to Bill Maher), a BLACK WOMAN is not a symbol of success. Play the background and let Diddy do his thing.
Afrophobics Anonymous wrote:
“Diddy has been supporting his BLACK WOMEN from day one. When he needs some tailfeathers to shake in a video, who does he call? BLACK WOMEN (read: LIGHT-SKINNED BLACK WOMEN). When he’s paying that child support, who does he send that check to? A BLACK WOMAN. Kim Porter is getting enough money a month to get her hair did every half-hour. So don’t act like he’s not down for his BLACK WOMAN.”
Well, he was only with Black women way back when he was a nobody and that’s about all he could get. As soon as he got more money, he lost the honeys… First it was J-Lo (how soon we forget) - a brown intermediate racial stepping-stone. Next, I’m sure it will be some full-fledged rail-thin cokeheaded Barbie doll. Not unlike a host of other celeb Black men.
So, let’s not confuse his past with his present and future now..his days of forced “slumming” with tha sistahs are LOONGGG GONE. The guy hangs out with rich White millionaires in the Hamiltons with a Black slave named Fonsworth who follows his azz around with a parasol, for god’s sakes! You really think he would bring home a BLACK girl home to THAT hood?!
Posted 19 Jan 2006 at 2:02 pm ¶
Afrophobics Anonymous wrote:
^ Correction: Hamptons
Posted 19 Jan 2006 at 2:07 pm ¶
Kaonashi wrote:
Why does Diddy look like he’s choking that poor little Asian girl? Just say NO to domestic violence, dammit! *sniff*
ps. I think Kim Porter is up to what? about 40 grand a month CS? She can get her hair done every 10 minutes if she wanted to, and still have money left over!
Posted 19 Jan 2006 at 2:28 pm ¶
RL_Model wrote:
“he was only with Black women way back when he was a nobody and that’s about all he could get. As soon as he got more money, he lost the honeys… First it was J-Lo (how soon we forget) - a brown intermediate racial stepping-stone. Next, I’m sure it will be some full-fledged rail-thin cokeheaded Barbie doll. Not unlike a host of other celeb Black men.”
So true. I’m glad others are starting to wake up to this typically insecure black male behavior. If this isn’t reason enough for Mulattas to stear clear of black males, I don’t know what is.
Posted 19 Jan 2006 at 4:46 pm ¶
the joy princess wrote:
The ad is wack because it’s sexist. As a black woman I could give a flip that there aren’t any black women.
Posted 19 Jan 2006 at 8:09 pm ¶
Merq wrote:
While I find it interesting that Diddy didn’t feel a black model or two would fit into the campaign’s theme of glamorous decadence, I think many of you are missing out on something else.
The main controversy surrounding this ad is that it was apparently rejected (by whom, I forget) for display in several department stores for being to racy. What exactly is so raunchy about this ad? I can assure you that if he had eight sistas in bed with him, his ad would pass any review board, who would simply cluck their tongues and laugh at “the things those wacky rappers do.”
While grammatically and semantically correct, I think their description of the ad as “racy” was an interesting, almost-Freudian slip.
Posted 19 Jan 2006 at 8:19 pm ¶
Lyonside wrote:
RL_Model:
Oh here we go again. Do you not even realize the racism in your comments? Or do you just not care? The comment was about SEAN COMBS. Not all black men.
1) if a man has a racial problem shouldn’t ALL non-racist women steer clear? Why are mixed black/white women so much more at risk? Oh, we’re so vulnerable and fragile and easily tricked? Tragic Much?
2) all black men etc. are like Sean Combs and his ilk? PUHLEEZE. I know you’re going to say that those are the black men you know. Again I will say that you need to get out more.
Posted 19 Jan 2006 at 10:55 pm ¶
Ben wrote:
Wait, is it that all black men secretly want white women, but only the successful ones can get them? Or that all black men, once they become successful, suddenly lose their taste for black women? I’ve lost track of which stereotype I’m supposed to follow.
This is less a reaction to the ad and more to the comments from AA and RL.
First, I had hoped we were well past the time when women defined their self-worth by their perceived desirability to men. No woman should allow herself to be reduced to a status symbol, nor should anybody think of her as such, unless she actually is Paris Hilton (or any other vapid form of professional arm candy).
Second, I had hoped we were well past the time when we criticized people for dating “outside their race.” I know that black men marry non-black women more than black women marry non-black men… but there are two sides to that equation. Black women can complain all they want about the one side, but it’s the other side they actually have control over.
Posted 19 Jan 2006 at 11:40 pm ¶
Damie wrote:
RL_Model obviously had negative experiences with black men. I hope she can forgive half of her genes one day.
I view black men or any race as being diverse in personality.
Posted 20 Jan 2006 at 7:49 am ¶
Aw come on wrote:
Even with negative experiences, there is still no excuse for it.Although I have sympathy for people who have these experiences, I don’t buy the “negative experience” excuse with some black men who say bad things about black women as a group.Why should I or anyone let this pass?
Posted 20 Jan 2006 at 10:13 am ¶
Merq wrote:
I knew it wouldn’t take RL_Model long to jump on Afrophobics Anonymous’ comment. Sister, thou art pathetic.
I’m really sick of black women whining about how “black men” only date white women (or so they’ve been told, as few of them can give 3 concrete examples in their individual circles). Funny enough, the more common form of black-white dating involves black women.
So why do we still need to hear this same, tired rant from a group of bitter women?
Posted 20 Jan 2006 at 4:20 pm ¶
Mark wrote:
Yes the control freaks always telling others who to date and the tools that follow them.
Some guy many centuries ago: I believe Angles Saxons and Jutes should NOT mix!
Everyone today: LOL!
Posted 20 Jan 2006 at 5:12 pm ¶
RL_Model wrote:
Lyonside: “The comment was about SEAN COMBS. Not all black men.”
Yes, but this is a discussion board; I am free to extrapolate the article’s contents to support my point of view. And Mr. Combs, or whatever he’s calling himself this week, seems to be the latest poster boy for black male posturing and insecurity. I realize that I’ll be accused of being a racist for pointing this out, so be it. I don’t believe I’m racist in the least. I acknowledge that all black men aren’t like this. Some are emotionally secure, intelligent people with positive self-images. But if a trend is so glaringly obvious, why not comment on it, and ask why it is occurring?
“Why are mixed black/white women so much more at risk? Oh, we’re so vulnerable and fragile and easily tricked?”
Sadly, because many have fallen for the one-drop brainwashing promoted by racist Blacks. Sure, we’re free to make our own decisions, but as a biracial woman myself, I naturally sympathize with others like me and find it sad that so many of us will gladly settle for a black guy whose only interest is escaping his own inferiority complex.
Ben: “No woman should allow herself to be reduced to a status symbol, nor should anybody think of her as such…”
Yes, precisely my point. Maybe when black males start having more respect for themselves, let alone black women, they won’t continually lust after fairer-skinned trophies. And hopefully, biracial women won’t continue to tolerate the current state of affairs
Damie: “RL_Model obviously had negative experiences with black men. I hope she can forgive half of her genes one day.”
Typical attack-the-messenger comment. I suppose this was intended to hurt my feelings? Sorry, but I have no need of forgiveness. Yes, I’ve been subjected to crude advances by black guys when in public (and conservatively dressed) which frankly have only reinforced my beliefs about black males, their lack of respect for women and their insecurity, but it is not something I dwell on.
I have had productive relationships with white men who view me as a person, not a pigment. I have never dated black guys, and never will.
Merq: “I knew it wouldn’t take RL_Model long to jump on Afrophobics Anonymous’ comment. Sister, thou art pathetic.”
Looks like Merq got his fragile black male ego bruised again and is resorting to name calling. How sad.
Posted 20 Jan 2006 at 9:30 pm ¶
Damie wrote:
RL_Model:”Typical attack-the-messenger comment. I suppose this was intended to hurt my feelings? Sorry, but I have no need of forgiveness. Yes, I’ve been subjected to crude advances by black guys when in public (and conservatively dressed) which frankly have only reinforced my beliefs about black males, their lack of respect for women and their insecurity, but it is not something I dwell on.
I have had productive relationships with white men who view me as a person, not a pigment. I have never dated black guys, and never will.”
You misunderstand. I wasn’t trying to hurt you. I was saying you obviously have had negative experiences which influences your beliefs, which you confirmed.
Why cant you objectively view black men as individuals? Because you have no moral superiority making unfair blanket stereotypes of all black men. That makes you a racist.
Posted 20 Jan 2006 at 11:27 pm ¶
Damie wrote:
RL_Model:”Sure, we’re free to make our own decisions, but as a biracial woman myself, I naturally sympathize with others like me and find it sad that so many of us will gladly settle for a black guy whose only interest is escaping his own inferiority complex.”
Now RL even unfairly stereotypes many of her own race of females. Do you have any studies or research for sources to support your opinions? Her non-objectiveness and blanket generalizations is where she is unethical in her beliefs.
Posted 20 Jan 2006 at 11:53 pm ¶
Neptune wrote:
Excellent points RL. Its good to see someone with enough guts to point out this sad phenomenom without fearing the “R” word.
Posted 21 Jan 2006 at 12:00 am ¶
Lyonside wrote:
RL: Sure, lets discuss the media, the images, the decision to include or not include different ethnicities, whether it shoudl matter since there are obvioulsy multple women in the bed implying a lack of monogamy and whether that’s good or bad…
Of COURSE it’s a discussion board (duh!). But you didn’t ask about a trend. You stated essentially that all biracial women should therefore be wary of the Big Black Men. That, my fellow biracial woman (guess what, you’re not the ONLY ONE), is a problem, a HUGE jump in logic, and damn insulting.
Your statements, intended or not, imply that a black/white biracial woman is too good for a black man, any black man. Gee, why would I assume that’s racist? I can’t recall…
Posted 21 Jan 2006 at 12:20 am ¶
Lyonside wrote:
OK, RL: Lets flip it.
Maria is black and had 1 good relationship w/ a black man. She had one bad relationship with a white man. She was insulted/hit on/what have you by a Latino guy in high school and resolved to never date Latino men because they would obviously all be the same. She hasn’t dated any other ethnic group.
If she says that she refuses to date anyone other than a black man, because all other ethnic/racial groups will be horrible to her, treat her bad, will break her heart, cause nothing but trouble, etc…. IS SHE BEING RACIST? I.e. defining behavior/assigning stereotypes based on physical “racial” features?
Posted 21 Jan 2006 at 1:42 am ¶
Damie wrote:
Neptune:”Excellent points RL. Its good to see someone with enough guts to point out this sad phenomenom without fearing the “R” word.”
Neptune, where is the proof that RL views are a wide spread phenomenon?
I’m sure there are some people who behave like RL says, but I don’t see it wide spread. When did perception and personal opinion become absolute truth?
Posted 21 Jan 2006 at 2:18 am ¶
KDL86 wrote:
Wow, RL, you while your views are well structured and represented, its sad that they are so one-dimensional and…racist. I know, its one of the many expected responses to your posts, but can you explain some things to me?
“I acknowledge that all black men aren’t like this. Some are emotionally secure, intelligent people with positive self-images.”
But then you say later:
“I have never dated black guys, and never will.”
Why do you directly contradict your own principles? In one breath you acknowledge the fact that gasp! not all black men are the same. Then you go on to describe your romantic preference based upon the type of man who ogles a woman in the street (which by the way, is far from exclusively black). As an educated biracial individual, surely you see the value, despite personal bias and experience, in taking the time to see things objectively. Oh yes, and I thought women wanted ‘emotionally secure, intelligent men with positive self-images’. I suppose they do, unless of course, the woman is RL, and the man is Black.
“I have had productive relationships with white men who view me as a person, not a pigment.”
Gosh, I’m sure some of your ancestors must have thought their masters and government viewed them the same way when their identities were reduced to a pass, and also while they were being treated and slaughtered like cattle during ‘our favourite South African era’. Now, I’m not attacking any single race, I’m simply using an extreme example to illustrate the necessity of looking at both sides of the coin.
It’s totally unfair to use your relationship experience as your sole source of judgement of the White man (not that you have the right to judge anyway). I’m saying that you might have just been lucky enough to have relationships with the only decent White men in your community. Or maybe your White acquaintances preach decency, but secretly shared views similar to those which you hate, and according to you, those which are unforgivably common amongst the mindsets of Blacks. Such is the diversity of any race, thus it is impossible to reduce them to any behavioural characteristics which any example of their respective race exhibits.
This is where your view is flawed, although it occasionally says otherwise. It portrays the idea that you don’t believe in the diverse personalities any single race can contain, and you consequentially reduce the members of that race to what you know from personal experience. This behaviour is fundamentally racist, because it is evidence of the ignorant mentality which perpetuated racism in the past amongst our communities.
Posted 21 Jan 2006 at 2:38 am ¶
Ben wrote:
Lyonside, you gave as an example of RL’s racism the act of “assigning stereotypes based on physical ‘racial’ features.” I want to unpack that process a little.
The way I see it, RL’s first step is to go from what she sees (physical features) and assign the person to a race based on that. That’s not 100% accurate, but we all do it. The second step is to assume that this person, who appears to be of this certain race, has a cultural background similar to others of that race. This is even less accurate. (An African immigrant might look like an African-American, but that could be all they have in common.) The third step - and this is where the actual racism happens - is to infer behavioral characteristics from what she knows of that culture.
So yes, racism involves assigning stereotypes based on physical features, but there are a few intermediate assumptions that should not remain unmentioned.
Posted 21 Jan 2006 at 12:36 pm ¶
Lyonside wrote:
Good points Ben, and yeah, I skipped some steps there…
Bias is a b*tch.
Posted 21 Jan 2006 at 2:49 pm ¶
RL_Model wrote:
Neptune, thank you. That word is used much too gratuioutsly these days.
Damie, I never claimed to be morally superior to anyone. And never did I state that my opinions were based on any quantifiable evidence, although an examination of the social problems in the black community would likely support my position.
If a biracial woman wants to get involved with a black guy knowing how many of them they regard women, I’d tell her good luck, because she’ll sure need it. Is it really so awful that I want other biracial women to be loved/valued rather than being objectified and abused as happens all too often in contemporary media images?
Lyonside: “Your statements, intended or not, imply that a black/white biracial woman is too good for a black man, any black man.”
All I’m saying Lyonside, is that biracial women need to take a good, hard look at the choices they make. I would like to say more, but as you pointed out, I’ve gotten off-topic. (as I usually do).
KDL86, my romantic preferences are not “based upon the type of man who ogles a woman in the street…”. They are based on shared values, experiences, and mutual respect, among other factors. I therefore feel I have very little in common with black men. Though, admittedly, I have not had many extensive interactions with them. Perhaps my views would be different if I had. I was using my negative encounters with black men as an example of why I avoid them. A complete and utter lack of physical attraction is another of many factors. It is not inconsistent to acknowledge the positive aspects of some black men while choosing not to date them.
“It’s totally unfair to use your relationship experience as your sole source of judgement of the White man.”
I don’t use ant sole source to judge anybody. But isn’t it natural that my experiences would inform my perceptions? Yes, terrible atrocities have been commited by white people against people of color, but does this shape my view of the ones I choose to interact with? Hardly, that would be rather irrational.
Posted 21 Jan 2006 at 9:17 pm ¶
Lyonside wrote:
All the rational/logical phrases and if/then statements in the world are intrinsically wrong if the initial “facts” are wrong. In other words, RL, GIGO applies here.
You don’t speak for all biracial (black/white) women, by your own admission. Then, logically, it would make sense that you might want to stop using the blanket statements and “warnings” to all biracial (black/white) women.
Posted 22 Jan 2006 at 5:50 pm ¶
cool-girl wrote:
RL_Model says: “I have had productice relationships with white men who view me as a person, not a pigment.”
Your relationships with all those white men could not have been THAT productive otherwise you would have a wedding ring on your finger. Sounds like those white men you’re dating are using you like a ride at disney world. That can happen to us biracial girls.
Posted 24 Jan 2006 at 6:27 pm ¶
Hello wrote:
RL_Model, you really don’t think that black men are the only type of men who objectify biracial women? A lot of creole, biracial women were forced into prostitution down in Louisana during and after the antebellum period, and guess who were their Johns???
Posted 24 Jan 2006 at 6:31 pm ¶
Anonymous wrote:
RL sounds a tad bit paranoid. Perhaps she should move to anartica where she doesn’t have to worry about being oogled by black men.
Posted 24 Jan 2006 at 6:32 pm ¶
RL_Model wrote:
“Your relationships with all those white men could not have been THAT productive otherwise you would have a wedding ring on your finger. Sounds like those white men you’re dating are using you like a ride at disney world. That can happen to us biracial girls.”
Has that happened to you, Cool-Girl? If so, maybe you need to find a white guy who deserves you and ditch the losers. No offense, but it seems you have an inferiority complex about being biracial. Being “used like a ride at Disney world” as you so vividly phrased it can happen to any woman (way to perpetuate the tragic mulatto stereotype).
And please stop operating on outdated assumptions. I’m not some dim little mouse of a woman whose only goal is to find a husband and start having babies. I am very selective about who I bring into my life and I have no plans to get married for many, many years. My experience with white men has been very positive and very fulfilling-I wouldn’t tolerate anything less.
To Hello: Terrible as those events you allude to were, they are a part of the past. In my experience, white men just have a greater respect for women. I would never have anything to do with any man who wanted to satisfy some fetish. If that’s typical of the kind of guys you two run into, I’ll tell you the same thing Lyonside told me: you need to get out more….
Posted 24 Jan 2006 at 11:08 pm ¶
cool-girl says wrote:
No, that’s never happend to me. But I witnessed it plenty of times when I was in college, and I have a cousin (she in her late thirties now) who developed a “reputation” among her white males friends. Like you, she only dates white men which noone in the family has a problem with. We are a pretty diverse family. We’re our own United Nations
However some of the men my cousin has dated have treated her cruelly. One man lived with her for three years, opened up an art gallery with her which she primiarily financed then sudden dumped her to marry his white fiance. Turns out the guy had a girlfriend throughout their entire relationship. Then a male (white) friend of her’s from highschool offered her a job in California with his company. My cousin had never been romantically involved with this guy. Anyway, when she traveled to California for the “interview,” the guy propositioned her. The guy was married and his wife was pregnant. I guess he needed a lady on the side. My cousin was so humiliated she called my aunt (her mother) long distance crying. Of course she didn’t take the “job” but she was hurt by what had happened and the things he said other friends had told him about her previous relationships. Of course not all interracial relationships are based on sexually fetishes, and not all white men are disrespectful to black/biracial women, but they can be just as heartless and cruel and harbor sexual fetishes just as any other man. To say that white men have a greater resepect for women is too simpleminded a statement to make. Your more intelligent than that RL.
Posted 25 Jan 2006 at 3:29 pm ¶
Hello wrote:
I don’t date white men, RL. I don’t find them physically attractive.
Sorry hon!
Posted 25 Jan 2006 at 3:30 pm ¶
cool-girls wrote:
No, I don’t have an inferiority complex about being biracial. I’m very secure with my background and racial makeup. I’m just speaking of some of the social realities you seem to have missed. You generalize too much RL. You’re too color-conscious, and as I said before you’re much too intelligent for that. You should date men that you like period, not because of their race.
As for me “operating in outdated assumptions” sorry about that. I keep forgetting that some of us like to live as common pagans.
Posted 25 Jan 2006 at 3:36 pm ¶
You know... wrote:
there use to be a time when it was taboo to have black male models/actors act as the love interest of a white woman. Though the ad may be “racy” at least it highlights the possibilty and reality of the appearance of interacial relationships in society today. I don’t think the ad necessarily perpetuates the belief that black men only find non-black women attractive (though I know some black men think that way, and some people will interpret the add that way).
Posted 25 Jan 2006 at 3:41 pm ¶
RL_Model wrote:
Cool-Girl, that’s so awful about your cousin! Again, I’m speaking only from personal experience. I’ve seen so many examples of loving relationships between WM/Biracial women in my own life that I have no reason to think otherwise. I don’t think I’m necessarily ignoring any “social realities” as much as being used/objectified is not my reality, nor that of the biracial women I know.
I totally agree that white men can be disgusting creeps too. I still have my preferences but I understand your point.
“I keep forgetting that some of us like to live as common pagans.”
Huh?
Posted 25 Jan 2006 at 4:27 pm ¶
cool-girl wrote:
Oh don’t worry about the last line in my last post. Its a family joke and I meant to delete it after I wrote it. Even though I don’t agree with some of your statements in previous postings, I’m beginning to understand you as well. We all have preferences which our experiences tend to shape.
Peace!
Posted 25 Jan 2006 at 6:24 pm ¶
Sydney wrote:
Wow. This topic and the following posts have raised some interesting questions. I think just about everyone had some good points.
I agree with You Know that the ad wasnt intended to symbolize PDiddys rejection of black women. Maybe he just wanted to show his love for women of other races. Maybe the image was actually intended to stir up controversy (nothing like free publicity). Then again, who knows how much creative control he actually had over the photo shoot.
I also agree with some of the points RL_Model made, though I stop short of labeling all black men as insecure. Lets just face that SOME black men have a preoccupation with lightskinned trophies. Im biracial too (black/white) and only dated white men (Im now married to one). Ive never felt a need to justify my choice to anyone. But come on, RL I agree with cool-girl-white men can be just disrespectful of us biracials as any other race of man.
Ive never dealt with anything like what you posted but your cousin reminds me of my ex-friend. Shes asian/white and in college she too had a reputation for going after older rich white men, I guess she had daddy issues since her father walked out on her and her sister. Her boyfriend was a completely useless prick who lived off his familys money. He made derogatory comments about Asian women throughout the relationship, never introduced her to his friends, etc. but she put up with it because he spent money on her. At one point he broke off the relationship after his parents found out about it and didnt approve. He called her and basically said I only dated you because I thought Asian women were nastier in bed
She cried on my shoulder that entire night. I saw the pain his words caused her. He reduced a human being to his personal sex toy. So the next week she called me and told me they got back together. After that, I pretty much stopped speaking to her. I lost all respect for someone who would put herself in that situation. My point is we determine how other people are going to treat us. Yes, she was victimized because she was biracial but had she not put herself in that situation, she wouldnt have been used in that way, so I think in her case and probably in the case of your cousin, there are other psychological issues involved. Yes, I chose to be with white men, but I wouldnt be with ANY white man just because he was white. Just something for my biracial ladies to think about.
Posted 26 Jan 2006 at 9:34 pm ¶
cool-girl wrote:
Oh yes I totally agree with you Sydney. I think there were and still are other issues my cousin had that made her vulnerable to such relationships.
Although I have never dated a white man, I would never discount them because of race. However, I do have a preference for black men, in terms of physical appearance. And no I don’t think anyone should have to justify why they chose to date/marry a person who if of an opposite race. Such relationships are too personal and intimate for other people to butt their nose in.
I agree, there are some black men who are “light struck” on account of the media constantly bombarding us with the idea that white women, or anything close to white is the ideal woman. There is a history that explains some black men’s choice of women. But to generalize and say that all black men think that way or that any black man who dates outside his race must be insecure and have low self-esteem is simply not true. Just like is would be improper to suggest that all biracial people who date/marry someone who is not biracial, must have a negative opinion about biracial people, or are insecure about their racial background. And belive me I have heard that one before. I’ve been on other mixed raced forums where people have expressed there anger at biracials who date/marry “monoracials.”
People have to start treating one another as individuals and understand that a person’s “race” does not completely define them. There is good and bad in all groups. A person’s character is most important, not their race.
Posted 28 Jan 2006 at 2:18 pm ¶
remi wrote:
don’t focus so much on color but on the message this ad is putting out there for young girls growing up. ie: they don’t deserve a man of their own … they have to share…promoting low self esteem , no self love , the man is the one who has his pick… the woman in the background is not white she is actually black . just very light , that’s all , from trinidad and tobago. i should know. she has been sleeping with my (soon to be ex) husband behind my back for a year. she has no scruples , no morals, doesn’t care about breaking up a family; neither does he; but luckily i was raised to believe that i do deserve a man to myself. i am worthy of it; no woman should be depicted in a manner where she has to share a man; it doesn’t matter what color she is. or he for that matter. she is perfect for that ad. she accepted that job because it fits who she is. she does very well and certainly did not need the money.
Posted 03 Feb 2006 at 11:13 am ¶
Anonymous wrote:
“the woman in the background is not white she is actually black…”
No. She’s Indian/White, and you’d think that a web stalker would know more about her after having posted this message all over the internet. How many times a day do you Google her name? The other allegations are libelous. Please, seek help.
Posted 03 Feb 2006 at 10:36 pm ¶
Anonymous wrote:
RL_Model I agree 100 percent. It’s great to see someone who won’t let himself be intimidated by people eager to use the “R” word whenever it suits them. It’s funny how the “black” activists who recently seem to have invaded this blog as well always accuse people who simply describe dominant mentalities among black men worldwide of unfair generalizations while at the same time eagerly spreading negative comments about white men themselves.
From my observation (and of course the soulpatrol will try to discredit this) I know proportionally far more happy and lasting relationships between black women and white men than between black men and white women. However I suspect that some of the female “black” opinion-makers whose job it is among other things to defend the image of black men on the internet secretly know the truth about the issue very well anyway.
Posted 17 Feb 2006 at 3:06 am ¶
Candace wrote:
RL- I am biracial as well. You remind me of the biracial girls that I know that are so happy that they are biracial because they already believe they are a step above African-American women, thereby toss around the word “trophy” as if EVERY black man is on our heels. Please. truth be told every brotha is not after us.
Maybe you were raised to believe your black-side is somehow inferior therefore you always been the media images of black culture so you figure the far away that I can get from it the better. Well you will have a very rude awakening at some point in your life and I can guarantee it will be from one of your white-skin boyfriends that you praise so much.
Posted 20 Feb 2006 at 3:30 pm ¶
Mike wrote:
RL_Model its biracial people like you that I wish would just call themselves white and leave your blackness alone. The last thing biracial people need is some confused idiot that wants to be the spokesperson for all biracial women. For you to be a person that was birth out of colorblind love you are one of the most racist people on this board. Maybe you should take your verbage to your local KKK meeting. You would fit right in.
Posted 20 Feb 2006 at 3:34 pm ¶
Sandy wrote:
I am white and I am doing research for a paper on interracial dating although I have never dated outside of my race. Let me speak honestly here. In no way am I trying to insult anyone I just think in this country we are really not ready to be honest about our feelings on race. Therefore, we end up fighting and insulting each other in the wrong way.
Honestly, biracial people are viewed by whites as black. These people just happen to have one white parent. I know its politically correct to call them biracial, mutliracial or what have you, but this is the truth. Maybe some biracials believe that they will be treated better if they are called such, but unfortunately I don’t see this happening. In the U.S. its all about what people see. To many whites, the white woman that has a biracial child is viewed as a traitor, impure, or honestly as trash. Certainly no one will out right say this, but its said behind closed doors even amongst the most liberal. Alot.
If you have any ethnic or even somewhat black appearance then you will be viewed as black. Its kind of like what we view a Puerto Rican, Domincian or a Cuban to be– merely a black person that speaks Spanish because they have African, Indian and Spanish ancestry.
I see absolutely nothing wrong with black people and anyone that has African ancestry should not be ashamed. They should cherish it as the Italians, Irish and Jews. The stereotypes in the media are hurtful and senseless and it helps cripple the self-esteem of many people of color to the point that they want to disassociate with a group because of stereotypes and perceptions. This is why I think biracials are constantly pushing to make it known that they are. I have read on websites while doing my research where some mention that they just want to acknowledge both sides and parents. I do believe its deeper than this because of the perception “white privilege” in this country.
Again this is just my honest view. Though it may be faulty - I truly hope not insulting..I just wanted to be honest since we are here.
Posted 21 Feb 2006 at 4:10 pm ¶
ManiacLove wrote:
I don’t see why in ads when people don’t see a person of their race, they immediately label the other party racist.
Maybe those were just the models he liked? Maybe they have better portfolios than black applicants? Nicer in interviews? Maybe they worked with him on other projects, or were reccomended by casting?
There’s lots of things that are considered when casting commercial models. It’s not fair to just jump to race, especially on a case like this.
Now if we were talking about Abercrombie & Fitch who have reportedly never had a black model, that’s different.
Posted 22 Feb 2006 at 6:07 pm ¶
Jee wrote:
Hi.
I’m a newbie and I am British Caribbean.
As far as I am concerned P.didd-who can do WHATEVER he likes. If the man is narrow-minded and thinks black women don’t spell success or wealth then the poor dude should play catch up watching Oprah. lol.
Or maybe he doesn’t really care about skin colour and totally forgot to include a black woman in the advert (money can make you forget things lol). He is not racist though.
Whatever the case p.diddy doesn’t represent ALL black men (now THAT would be a hard job do you not realize how many black men there are in the world today)
As for the video girl comments THAT IS SO WACK how about being the next female politician eh???
Posted 24 Feb 2006 at 9:53 pm ¶
curidee wrote:
“there is no smoke without a fire”
We all have racial problems, because we live in a racial conscience world.
The black race is considered inferior, the white race superior, unfortunately some stereotypes are true. but most of all what is amazing some people just don’t make colour an issue. Thank the lord what a dramatic world if we all did.
Has anybody asked themselves if it was puffy who chose the models?
Posted 01 Mar 2006 at 10:36 am ¶
Renee wrote:
I am also mixed with red hair and freckles and fair skin, and my features mutally intersect so many people think I’m hispanic, but most blacks know better. I have a white boyfriend who is square and completely opposite from me, but I am percieved as black and identify myself as being black I talk slang, listen to hip hop, dress in Baby Phat I guess I act ghetto when I’m not at work.
I get hollared at alot by many black men but I still have yet to meet one I’m attracted to, and to be honest I think if I were dark skinned they probably wouldn’t notice me, but times are still changing and darker skinned women are getting alot of appreciation these days finally.
It’s just that when I was in highschool in the south I went to an all black school and the dark girls still managed to have issues with me even though I pretty much kept to myself and everyone else would say how pretty I was even though I was an awkward dork at the time, pale and gaunt, wore outdated clothes and was obviously goofy but I guess thats the way it still is there so yeah I know exactly where RL_Model is coming from.
To be honest I smirked at P. Diddy’s ads, glad he chose other half naked women to degrade themselves for a change. I think he’s trying to appeal to wider market of people and felt people would think his fragrances were intented for blacks only. I don’t know, but I’m relieved for the sistas. I agree that women shouldn’t let themselves be reduced to objects or eye-candy period. I wanna see a music video where a female rapper puts a bunch of half naked men in her video and have them doing sleazy dances and sprawled over cars as she says disrespectful things about them but that probably won’t happen. My whole thing is that beauty is beauty, it has nothing to do with race and I don’t find it insulting that this time a blackwoman doesn’t wanna drape herself all over P. Diddy.
Anyways since we’re on the subject, why is it that in most ads, magazines and even tv shows, mixed and black women always have a fro of some sort? Many are curly and some just flat out have a fro. Do they not realize that most nowadays wear their hair straight or when curled in a ponytail? Most of the mixed/black women I know which is alot wouldn’t dare go out of the house with a fro. I have naturally curly hair that I keep permed straight. Just an observation.
Posted 05 Mar 2006 at 2:26 pm ¶
VitaProcaBrazil wrote:
Kill all of the fuss. Me personally as being a feminine Brazilian lesbian model, I like the ad. Modeling is carrying a look for advertisement and to promote the product. There is no specific book that says STICK WITH YOUR RACE in advertisement. There are plenty beautiful black women that could have filled in the shoes of one of the current beautiful ladies shown in the ad……..BUT THERE ISN’T. And everyone stop jumping on RL_Model’s back.
Posted 07 Apr 2006 at 7:09 pm ¶