I took a "Black Studies" course a few years ago, and the professor who was
from Jamaica lamented the fact that magazines like "Ebony" and "Jet" still
only employ models who are Anglo-looking with darker skin. If a woman's face
has too many "ethnic" qualities, her beauty is suspect and she is not hired.
It is also interesting to note that "older" women models are also being
featured in magazines. However, the only think identifiably "older" or
"mature" about them is their white hair.
You have to hand it to this culture of ours don't you? I also cannot believe
when you find models like Lauren Hutton or Lauren Bacall. Oh my they are in
their 50's but look soooo good. Give me a break. They only good so good
because they don't look like they've aged. SO much for empowerment of the
aged.
Julien
----------
From: For discussion of feminist SF, fantastic & utopian literature on behalf
of Barbara Benesch
Sent: Wednesday, November 12, 1997 12:12 AM
To: FEMINISTSF@LISTSERV.UIC.EDU
Subject: Re: [*FSFFU*] Star Trek Women / Seven of Nine
In a message dated 97-11-11 14:36:20 EST, Geoffrey Sperl wrote:
> Actually, the trend towards black actors as Kilngons seems to have
> started with Worf, especially looking at some of the notable actors who
> played Klingons on screen (for example, Christopher Lloyd and
> Christopher Plummer). Has anyone noticed that the female Klingons,
> however, tend to be played by white actors?
>
> - Geoffrey
They also tend to be made up with lighter complexions than male Klingons,
much like it is difficult for African-American women to be considered
"beautiful" (i.e. actresses and models) unless they are fairly light in
complexion. I've seen an interview with Tyra Banks in which she talked about
how hard it was for her to break through in modeling because she kept losing
jobs to African-descent models (since not all models are American) with
lighter complexions than hers.
Just food for thought....
Barbara Benesch
BJBenesch@aol.com
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