The picture on the left is the cover of Paper magazine which was
released on November 11, 2014 portraying Kim Kardashian. The image on the right
is of Grace Jones placed in a collection entitled Jungle Fever by the photographer of both photos;
Jean Paul Gaude. The primary focus of both photos is the fact that both women
can balance a champagne glass on their behinds. Whether it is obvious or not,
Gaude altered the photos in order to extend the behinds of both models in order
for the champagne glass to sit comfortably. The original photo of Grace brings
about concerning issues about race due to the fetishization of Grace's body as
an archetype of the stereotypical "black female body". The archetype
of the black female body as having dark skin, a naturally curvy figure
(accentuated by the edited butt), and maybe not as present in this photo but
unique hair. The fetishization of black women is then perpetuated through not
only the name of the book in which this image was published but as well as the
images that are along side this image. The fact that the book is called Jungle Fever is a racial term to describe
someone who is interested in black individuals, therefor giving Grace the
spotlight in order to falsely represent an image for black women.
In lieu of the background concerning the
fetishization of Grace Jones's body. The question that must be asked is why Kim
Kardashian was placed as the model for Paper magazine instead? Kim Kardashian's
celebrity status can be easily attributed to her sex appeal, but mainly the
appeal of her behind. As previously stated the fetishization of Grace Jones, as
well as black women in general is to have a curvy figure, in this portrayal the
curvy figure is accentuated by a big behind. Kim Kardashian was chosen for this
photo because of her close proximity to the archetype of a black woman. It is
also key to understand what is lacking from the black archetype that Kim
Kardashian is embodying. Black woman have been recognized as the least
desirable race, while white women on the other hand are recognized as more if
not the most desirable. Therefor recreating the image with a white woman
embodying the archetype of black woman's body is more desirable, gaining more
publicity.
Since what is popular today is having more curves than less and the bigger your butt the more popular you seem to be I can say that I have seen more black women getting recognition for their beauty and talents then before. However what is interesting to me is the excitment that comes with a woman who is not black who has these stereotypical black body features. Maybe its because it is rare that these people are celebrated and what is normal is glossed over.
ReplyDeleteIt is an interesting distinction between the ideal white female body and the ideal black female body. Both are extremely fetishized as you pointed out. I find it interesting though that in this case a white women is praised for have " black beauty" attributes. Our " white" culture seems to be moving towards and appropriation of black culture an I see this as a prime example. However white america still seems to see the attributes of black on black people as bad. While dread locks on black people are scene as " dirty" on whites it is seen as just alternative. People throwing " African american themed" parties and so on.
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