The Big Gorilla?
by: Guest
Total views: 71
Word Count: 397
LeBron James is the first black man to grace the cover of Vogue Magazine. Shaft can’t even claim this accomplishment, and he was by all accounts DA MAN! These days all it takes is to be liked or disliked by the establishment to get attention. Not that Mr. James does not garner attention. He does on the hard wood and while he soars through the air like an agile freak of nature. Actually, he commands respect from the best players playing around in our new Hip-Hop National Basketball Association.
LeBron, one of America’s most recognized sports characters, has become an icon. He is well on his way to cementing his place in sports history. This April he proves to the world again that he is versatile and willing to crossover like Sean Combs. However, Combs has not been called King Kong by his critics.
Gracing the cover of Vogue, I am sure, was never a goal of LeBron’s while he drove a Hummer to high school - and I am certain he never thought taking a picture with a top model would cause such a stir. His immaturity and naivety more than likely prevented him from realizing his historical moment in time would offend and/or generate pride. He just didn’t know! Remember, LeBron James is a basketball player – not a social activist.
There are a few pro black loud mouths and a couple white liberal heart liberals who are shouting he should have known the ramifications of such a picture:
"The photo is perpetuating racial stereotypes. James strikes what some see as a gorilla-like pose, baring his teeth, with one hand dribbling a ball and the other around Bundchen’s tiny waist.”
"Images of black male athletes as aggressive and threatening reinforce the criminalization of black men."
Is this another case of 'black hypersensitivity/white guilt empathy' or is this cover/picture purporting stereotypical images with a bit of racist overtures?
Below are three links to articles covering the story. The second link has several reader comments. They are insightful. The third link will take you to the Vogue cover story.
I must say that Lebron James somewhat resembles the Big Gorilla: King Kong!
What say you?
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/03/25/lebron-james-vogue-cover-_n_93252.html
http://www.cavsnews.com/20080324-1061.php
http://www.style.com/vogue/feature/032508/page2.html
Written by Brian E. Payne. Inspired by this:
"I am black; I am a woman and I’M SICK OF THE COMPLAINING!!! I see a magazine cover of two human beings with great bodies." -Proud Black Woman
Complaining??
About the Author
Brian E. Payne is a native of the former furniture town, Thomasville, NC. Brian received his bachelor’s in Physical Education/Health at High Point University and a master’s in Divinity from Howard University. While at High Point, Brian was a dynamic campus leader and he became a Five-Time Track and Field All-American, and received an invitation to compete in the 1991 Olympic Track & Field Trials. Immediately upon graduating from High Point University, Payne worked for the YMCA of Thomasville as a Youth Fitness Director, with an array of responsibilities ranging from teen fitness to adult health education. After one year at the YMCA, he entered the Peace Corps. In Antigua, Payne was responsible for developing and implementing a Physical Education curriculum. He also worked as a Peace Corps trainer for incoming trainees, host country teachers, and host government community leaders. In his most recent service with the Peace Corps, Brian served as the Recruitment Coordinator for the Atlanta Peace Corps Recruiting Office. He was responsible for coordinating all recruitment activities within six states and two United States territories. Prior to the Recruitment Coordinator position, Brian served in various capacities within Peace Corps. As a testament to his leadership qualities and productivity Brian was granted the maximum tour of service (8 ½ years). He is a devoted father of one, and a prolific writer. Several of his writings have been published in a monthly newspaper that’s dedicated to sharing local information, community highlights, and stories. The papers target audience is African American. He is also a frequent contributor for a daily newspaper in North Carolina, and just recently was published in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Rating: 5.00