LeBron James Vogue cover criticized

**RavenBoy** · 03-29-2008, 01:41 PM

NEW YORK - When Vogue announced its April cover starring LeBron James and Gisele Bundchen, the magazine noted with some fanfare that James was the first black man to grace its cover.

But the image is stirring up controversy, with some commentators decrying the photo as 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 Bundchenâs tiny waist.

Itâs an image some have likened to âKing Kongâ and Fay Wray.

âIt conjures up this idea of a dangerous black man,â said Tamara Walker, 29, of Philadelphia.

Photographer Annie Leibovitz shot the 6-foot-9 NBA star and the 5-foot-11 Brazilian model for the cover and an inside spread. Vogue spokesman Patrick OâConnell said the magazine âsought to celebrate two superstars at the top of their gameâ for the magazineâs annual issue devoted to size and shape.

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âWe think Lebron James and Gisele Bundchen look beautiful together and we are honored to have them on the cover,â he said.

James told The (Cleveland) Plain Dealer he was pleased with the cover, saying he was âjust showing a little emotion.â

âEverything my name is on is going to be criticized in a good way or bad way,â James told the paper. âWho cares what anyone says?â

**Tomcat68** · 03-29-2008, 02:26 PM

I think people are too sensitive and go over board on these types of things. BTW, could you post a link to that Raven?

**Brittany0121** · 03-29-2008, 04:19 PM

I think it is sooo silly. He just looks intense. Soooo stupid. Anything to try to claim racism these days.

**vundy33** · 03-29-2008, 04:34 PM

I agree.

**HawksRule** · 03-29-2008, 06:08 PM

Theres no racism to the cover

**RavenBoy** · 03-29-2008, 06:30 PM

Tomcat68 Wrote:I think people are too sensitive and go over board on these types of things. BTW, could you post a link to that Raven?

It was on the headlines of Yahoo

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap...&type=lgns

Brooks4Prez · 03-29-2008, 07:01 PM

Give me a break Rolleyes

**RavenBoy** · 03-29-2008, 07:39 PM

I know, Its anything to cause trouble.

**Tomcat68** · 03-30-2008, 12:34 AM

RavenBoy Wrote:It was on the headlines of Yahoo

http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news?slug=ap...&type=lgns

Yeah I knew the article was out there, but because of copyright laws we have to have a link posted to the actual site where your quote came from. Thanks for providing the link.

bluegrassballa · 03-30-2008, 12:41 AM

Oh come on! Everythings gotta be racist somehow!

**RavenBoy** · 03-30-2008, 12:46 AM

Tomcat68 Wrote:Yeah I knew the article was out there, but because of copyright laws we have to have a link posted to the actual site where your quote came from. Thanks for providing the link.

My bad, I didnt know that. Ill make sure I do it from now on. Tongue

irateSho

**TidesHoss32** · 04-01-2008, 01:55 PM

And credit to Lebron James, a black man himself, discrediting the idiots trying to make an issue of it all. Which sent millions of black claimseekers crying all the way to the naacp.

**RavenBoy** · 04-01-2008, 08:34 PM

TidesHoss32 Wrote:And credit to Lebron James, a black man himself, discrediting the idiots trying to make an issue of it all. Which sent millions of black claimseekers crying all the way to the naacp.

Samething with Dave Chappelle.