Tyra Banks racist?, The peculiar politics of America's Next Top Mode Options

[*mzkandi*]

Yo, check this out.

Tyra Banks racist?
(The peculiar politics of America's Next Top Model.)

I think labeling her racist is a bit extreme. The person brings out some interesting points in the article, but racist? No. Read it, it's interesting.

[hi-C]

That was interesting. I really don't know what to think about it. There definitely is a double standard for Black women in fashion (this excludes Africans: there are plenty of African models) and I think, that to a point, Tyra has fallen victim to it. I mean really: look at her hair and her eyes. Her hair's not naturally auburn and her eyes sure as hell are not grey.

I think one of the reasons she's harder on the Black models, because, really, when's the last time we had a successful Black model? (I'm referring to just African-American models, not African ones; there are quite a few African models in the business: Alek Wek and Liya Kedebe instantly come to mind.) I also agree with the author's point of Tyra feeling as if these girls are her "successors."

So, what was it about Tiffany's attitude that so inflamed her? Was it that, as a fellow black woman, Tyra felt some sort of affection that turned to exasperated rage when her protégé disappointed her? Or was she just upset because she'd been trying to pound the sass out of Tiffany and failed?

I don't think that was it at all. The writer took Tyra's outburst out of context. Tiffany really didn't have self-confidence for one, for another, ANTM is Tyra's baby; of course she'd be highly upset if someone didn't take it seriously. And Tiffany did more than just "shrugged" off her elimination from the show, she was downright insolent. Tiffany got what she deserved.

Tyra tells the aspiring models that they need to develop a thick skin. But she seems to think dark skin should be tougher than light.

Of course it has to be. The fashion industry is like a chocolate chip cookie, and if your skin happens to be darker, you better damn well be perfect if you expect to be in it.