LeBron James on the cover of Vogue

Too bad he couldn't muster up all that energy and a smile to sue his fame on the issue of Darfur, which he copped out on as he has a contract with a Chinese sneaker company, and, they, Vogue, couldn't have come up with a better role model in the world of hoops.

This picture is more reminiscent of King Kong and his prize of the Beauty. I find it very Offensive and RACIST!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm not really sure on the politics of the whole thing, but this cover just looks awkward. Giselle and Lebron both look like they are at two totally different photoshoots. You'd think they could do a little more with one America's top athletes and one the biggest supermodels in the world. Just a thought....

Here we go again. Yet another Black men hugging a White woman on a commercial, TV show, movie, book or magazine cover. Just like Terrell Owens. And if the woman isn't white she's often Asian or much paler in color than the man. What messages are being sent by such pictures? White women are better than Black women and Black men prefer White women to Black women or dark skinned women? How long must we continue to be fed such propaganda? How long will Black people continue to not see the implications that such imagery presents? And how long will black men naively continue to allow themselves to be used to promote such propaganda? What does this imagery do to the self worth of Black women?

Can someone tame that savage beast, perhaps feed the screaming gorilla a banana?

I would have rather seen Tom Brady in that photo shopped pic, and, thanks to the psoter for pointing out that LeBron refused to say a peep about the genocide in the Sudan because he has a lucrative shoe deal in China, talk about no moral fiber.

I agree with some of the comments. This "black beast, white beauty" cover is very disturbing. It's too bad that the racist ignorant sentiments which stole this beautiful country have left us all so spiritually and emotionally bruised.

It is sad that Vogue corporate staff would approve this racist "mandingo", "king kong", advertisement. Wouldn't it have been easier to just have Lebron picking cotton with Giselle standing over him in a white plantation dress lusting over the big buck black male slave. Of course it would have been to difficult to put him in a nice Armani suit like Clooney or Gere. The asshole that came up with the idea for the cover ad should be fired along with the photographer. I guest I will not be buying anymore Vouge magazines. Thank u Vouge for doing your part to keep fear and ignorance alive and well in America.

this cover illustrates a renowned racist joke: "Q: how do you stop a bm from raping a wf? A: throw him a basketball!" shame on the editors and on this typically dumb kkkapitalist jock lj! peace alicia banks www.geocities.com/ambwww

And shame on you for that vile "joke" and after reading your anti-male threads, and, black males in general here, not that shocked that you would post that sort of trash.

I am not that bent out of shape by the cover, but I wish Lebron would have smiled.

Proof (once again) that the same racism, like back in the days of slavery and 1960's-America, is still as prevalent today as it was then. Only it's more in-your-face, in some American cities and; hush-hush in others. Let’s not forget that; racist people had children, and those children had children, and those children had children...who now, apparently, work at Vogue.

Lebron James doesn't have to be socially conscious. He is a 23 year old. How many 23 year olds that don't have a college education are thinking about Darfur? Just because he's rich and famous doesn't mean he has an obligation to take a stance on anything. He's a basketball player, his political or social opinions have no relevance when he's on the basketball court.

Sadly, Lou, you are right and also wrong, there are plenty of 23 year olds who have a clue about the genocide in Darfur and other atrocities around the globe, and plenty are active in other issues that happen around the globe and, other basketball players have stood up for what's right on this situation as have other sporting figures, he knows about it and chose to not get involved to keep a lucrative shoe deal, so, to give him a pass is a cop out. I don't expect anything from a basketball player, its not as if they are trained to do anything other than put a ball in a net, and, that hardly takes a brain, and most aren't even capable of being heroes to kids anymore, but, when its in your face and you chose money over life, you should be called out for it.

To the Poster "Why?" To suggest that the photographer taking this photo should be fired is ridiculous. This photo was taken by Annie Leibovitz... one of the most cutting edge and accomplished photographers of our generation. To discuss this photo with out discussing it as a piece of art is as close-minded and ignorant as the proposed figures you are describing.

Gisele is not white, she Brazilian aka Latina. Is Vogue really racist with a cover of a latin woman and a black man? Does it even matter that LeBron likes the photo?

If this is racist then what was it when George Bush was sitting in a chair surrounded by his BLACK STAFF. Did not hear much talk about that?

Us commenting on this cover is not going to bring anymore sense of togetherness in the Black community. What we should be doing is using this forum to discuss ways that our community can become more united and have a sense of togetherness like other minority communities. We are too busy screaming that everything is racist instead of figuring out ways to deter young Black men from leading a life of crime or that they can't achieve success without slanging dope or committing other crimes... Or the fact that we need to educate our young black women that their bodies are their temple and the continuing of bringing young children into this world to keep a man is not the way to go. I believe that if we got as upset by those things like we do about a multi-millionaire basketball player appearing on the cover of an international fashion magazine with a Brazilian born/raised model of distant German decent our community would flourish just a bit more. Don't let the media make you lose focus of the real problem. It's your upbringing that determines who you'll become. That's why the community has to take an active part in the raising of "OUR CHILDREN." Black men being with white women is not a problem. I think it's that we need to learn to have a true respect and love for each other an awareness of the struggle of the last 400+ years and an outlook that it may take us another 400+ years if we don't focus on the important issues at hand. I think those that are upset over this should take a look at the numbers in regards to black on black crimes, black teenage pregnancies, the AIDS rate in our community, our dropout rates. Those are things to be damned pissed about. Not two entertainers (and yes he's an entertainer too) appearing on the cover of a magazine together. BLACK AMERICA WAKEUP AND SMELL THE COFFEE. This is all a way to have us not focus on getting to the mountain top.

To suggest racism in such a photo is indicative of a greater problem. This is a classic example of Americans attributing racial stereotypes and detecting racist intentions to various things that contain no such intention, while at the same time failing to speak up to obvious issues in our country that are caused and related to racism. Racism is a truly serious and invasive problem in America. It can been seen every day in our cities and towns and has created barriers for many people of color. However, we as Americans continue to be blind to the real problems and waste our energy obsessing about irrelevant entertainers. Annie Liebowitz has no intention of denegrating black men, hispanic women, etc. If you are troubled by that picture, then that is your problem and art can sometimes do such a thing, but don't be so ignorant as to throw around the term racist, when it is patently not racist.

Wow!!! It does sorta look king kongish

I think that this photo shoot is amazing. I love it entirely. Lebron, as well as countless other athletes portray excitement on the court, especially after dunking at the net, or rocking someone's knees. Fighters stick out their tongue after a knock out, football stars make cartwheels and break dance on the field after a touchdown, and basketball stars might have their own dance or facial expression. In the mean time, I love how the photographer portrayed Gisele as the frail women, and Lebron James as the manly man. Great cover! Gisele is a great accent in the photo. George Clooney had a photo shoot with Gisele on Vogue, and since he is an actor, they have him smiling or smirking provocatively. Lebron is King of the Court.

Please read below at "The One on March 25, 2008 3:15 PM". He makes the most sense out of anyone else on this message board. It is ridiculous at the things some black people choose to focus and put their efforts in when there is a much bigger problem within the black community. Educate yourselves before posting ignorant messages that clearly scream that you are trying to stand for something that does not need standing for. Look within your own communities to see the root of the real problem and work within, and eventually you will see a change!

Please read below at "The One on March 25, 2008 3:15 PM". He makes the most sense out of anyone else on this message board. It is ridiculous at the things some black people choose to focus and put their efforts in when there is a much bigger problem within the black community. Educate yourselves before posting ignorant messages that clearly scream that you are trying to stand for something that does not need standing for. Look within your own communities to see the root of the real problem and work within, and eventually you will see a change!

Please read below at "The One on March 25, 2008 3:15 PM". He makes the most sense out of anyone else on this message board. It is ridiculous at the things some black people choose to focus and put their efforts in when there is a much bigger problem within the black community. Educate yourselves before posting ignorant messages that clearly scream that you are trying to stand for something that does not need standing for. Look within your own communities to see the root of the real problem and work within, and eventually you will see a change!

LeBron & Gisele + Vogue = Racist? ARE YOU KIDDING ME? Yes, please, let's continue to harp on racial issues that are not even real. Let's make things up to continue hatred and ugliness. Yes, please, let's all hate each other over the color of our skin. Why don't we start wars over it and kill over it? WHAT CENTURY ARE WE IN? Seriously, infuriating. MIND BLOWING PEOPLE....mind blowing and so sad. I can't even believe this is an issue.

i've been drawn to this blog due to the discussion of this cover today in my african american art class. yes, i am black male, an artist very concerned about the depiction and portrayal of my brothers in the media today. however, while i do see the racial undertones in the cover, i earnestly believe that they are only present because of the tainted eyes of so many that have been afflicted by the odious legacy of this country. under ART first and foremost is that the message, the interpretation of the subject matter MEETS as the eye approaches the piece. in viewing the inside of the magazine, yes, better pictures were possibly chosen. but is it ineluctable someone wouldn't have scorned the idea of a black male/white female pairing in the first place?? even as i've searched for this image and "king kong" counterparts online, i've found scores of photos of lebron ALONE on the court screaming; no one cared to argue about the depiction of the black brute then. next, in being familiar with fashion//editorial photography, yes, james definitely shot probably hundreds of photos for this issue. however, was he sure which would be chosen for the cover; highly unlikely. additionally upon signing any contract or agreements to due the issue, james has very little choice as to which photos are even chosen, his image is INADVERTANTLY compromised, as the art director of Vogue doesn't have to consult James or anyone from his party about which images go where. lastly, concerning Vogue, this is certainly not their racist depiction of the black man or any insidious attack on his image. for every 10 people who will see this cover and have something to say, how many of them saw the powerful, contemporary icon of Will Smith on the cover of Men's Vogue??; looking sophisticated and refined as always, and no one champions him for his constant uplift and renewal of the black [male] image. in closing, while i do understand and respect the views of others who hold this cover in disgust, i defend the same ideal and image of the black male; whom i love as he is myself, my father and brothers, and someday my sons. and even in my defense, i do protect his will of decision and individual rights to choice and success.

LeBron and Gisele did this shoot knowing what it was going to look like before hitting the stores. My question to all you offended, if they are fine with it, why should you have a problem with it, they have minds of their own, if they wanted to make some money in spite of embarrassing themselves, so be it.

I don't see anything wrong with the photo. A strong masculine man and a beautiful women in his arms. Racism , maybe? If you were the CEO of Vogue you know that your first responsibility is to help fashion designers make billions by advertising on your pages, therefore -- even if it offends people - every cover has to pop.

For black people to say he looks like King Kong they must think that they themselves do indeed look like gorrilas? Remember it's blacks who are making this claim not whites. But when you do look at him, YES he does look like a monkey. Large gaping mouth, large strong jaws, small cranial cavity, long arms, etc. What's to object about? If you look like a monky the camera just reflects what it sees. If black men go about their daily life angry and screaming don't be surprised when people avoid them.

Ask yourself this question, How many white men are on magazine covers with black women???????

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u guys do realize that lebron has the devils horns right and it is no coincidence

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