Art 'offending' life – Is blackface ever okay?

Blackface is never ok. However, why are you not also citing the video that was done recently and is all over youtube by nick cannon and another gentelman who are in blackface. It should not matter what color your skin is if you are being offensive. Just my opinion.

I am black and I don't find this French Vogue pictorial offensive. i believe people are being too sensitive over this topic. Of course the minstrel shows were offensive but this issue of French Vogue is pushing the envelope, like they are known for.

Movies such as the Wayans Brothers "White Chicks" (2004) has made over $113 million worldwide. I would pose this question to you. Is it okay for blacks to make fun of whites but not the reverse? Have we come to the point where the sufferings of the past out-weigh the possibilities of the future?

I just don't get it! What were they trying to say? Why not use a "real" blakc model? This is not ok.

I am amazed at the double standard that has been created with regards to race relations and what is deemed offensive. How ironic is it that we can find this offensive but when it come to attacks on the LGBT community by the perdominantly African Amarican Hip Hop Community we turn a blind eye?

I am shocked at how individuals from a group of people who bore such hate and bigotry could come up with a term like "No Homo" and use it in lyric and song like it was right as rain. I am even more troubled by the fact that its OK to play songs that contain the statement on the radio when in fact, if a term like "No Negro" was used it would be completely offensive and would be ban from the air waives.

I would hope that our communities would unite to fight bigotry and hate speech in all forms. So that all people from all walks of life would feel respected and dignified by each other. We need to learn to be kind to one another.

My immediate reaction was no, it is never okay, but I thought Robert Downey Jr. was brilliant in Tropic Thunder ... for some reason that worked. But I am white and may not understand. I am Italian and some things people say are offensive to me and non-Italians don't get it.

All I have to say is LOOK UP MARIA CARRIE'S new chart single, "Obsessed." In it she portrays a white person, or more specifaclly the pop artist, Eminem. Maria also has an upcoming TV series where she portrays herself as an "ugly white woman."
Other big name, David Chapel, portrayed himself as a white man several times on his series, The Chapel Show. NOBODY said anything then.
If the same argument that many use when justifying the double standard of blacks using the n word can be said about race painting, all I can say is if it isn't right one way it isn't right another. If we are trying to teach our children that mocking or stereotyping other races is wrong, what will they think if they compare this story with what they've seen allowed on Mtv, Vh1, or Comedy Central?
I personally feel that you should have reported examples of both sides of the same thing.

I think the real question is.... Are there no Black Models?

The exotic women in Vogue looked even more beautiful with their bodies painted brown. It was a very effective art form in a beautiful and natural color. I don’t think the artistic contrast would have been as effective in an unnatural color like purple. If anything, the magazine was honoring the brown skin tone rather than demeaning it. You are encouraging racism by absurd criticism. What makes American news commentators greater experts than the French who actually taught us about interracial relationships? Let go of this issue so the rest of us can go on admiring all peoples and all forms of tasteful art.

This girl looks like crap

This is NOT blackface being portrayed here. For the media to say this is blackface shows how uneducated they are about history. As a theatre major at my college we took an extensive look at blackface with al jolson and the other minstrels in the early 20th century. Blackface is the performance of it...not just the portrayal. Also the picture featured in vogue is not blackface because it is missing essential parts, first, the black wig, second, the giant red lips, and third, the performance. what vogue did is what tyra banks did on Americas Next Top Model a few cycles ago where they are portraying a different race and transforming a white woman to a black one. I do not find this offensive in the least because it is NOT blackface. The performance in australia was more blackface than this. There is a difference.

Some body give this poor girl some pancakes to eat .

I am African American and I do not take offense to the French Vogue photo spread. Being offensive is never okay, but blackface can be done in good taste. I have yet to see Chocolate Thunder, but reverse examples such as Eddie Murphy in whiteface and Dave Chappelle's Show have been done in good taste. The blackface joke I heard from my Caucasian wife about a mom and son making chocolate cake is the best example that comes to mind as a tasteful blackface portrayal.

A mom and her son are making chocolate cake, when her son smears chocolate all over his face and says "Look mommy, I'm black".
The mom yells at him and demands he see his father.
The son puzzled, goes into the living room to show his father and says "Look daddy, I'm black".
The father displeased with his son appearance scolds him and sends him to see his grandfather. Still puzzled, the boy goes upstairs to see his grandpa. He knocks on grandpa's door and says "Look grandpa, I'm black".
Grandpa smacks him in the face and says go wash that off.
The grandson calmly looks at his grandfather and says "I've been black for 5 minutes and I already hate you white people"

I AM BLACK AND I AM NOT OFFENDED. I THINK PEOPLE MAKE TO MUCH WHEN A WHITE PERSON DOES SOMETHING BUT WHEN A BLACK PERSON DOES THE SAME THING IT IS OKAY...IE WHITECHICKS THE MOVIE....

How much longer must we endure this? I don't want to hear that they are "french" they need to know their international audience. As a black female I am so offended. And to celebrate super models and no black models made the issue is even more offensive.

No black face is NEVER okay.

Correction to my previous post:
The movie was called Tropic Thunder, not Chocolate Thunder.

And what about White Chicks? Anyone see a double standard in our society?

Hey Anyone see the movie white chicks isnt that offensive

This is just another example of people being way to over sensative. People get way to offended when it comes to things that deal with race an try to make a huge political debate over something thats just not important at all. Honestly people need to stop caring about race an start caring about things that really matter.

This is a disgrace because individuals constantly say that African Americans are always using the race card. Everything of identity has always been stolen by caucausins for profit. Wheather it be Elvis or rap music, some feel it OK to to exploit other races. This will never be acceptable, because it takes this country back to a time when blacks were hung from trees for just looking at a white person. We have to move forward and past this.

I have no idea what the artists' ideas at French Vogue were but i think that the same exact picture could have been taken with a black person rather than the dutch model.

This isn't racist!! Grow up people if you want to see racisim come by my house I promise it would be better reporting than this story

Is Jew bashing OK, what about picking on Mexicans or gays or illegal aliens?
What's the difference?

I think that comments like this is what is causing racism to persist. If people stop caring then maybe everyone can finally move past it. I think it is good that my generation is viewing racism as a big joke- because then it can never be taken seriously.

Blackface is just makeup, its the act itself that may or may not be offensive. If you get offended about the makeup itself then what about whiteface? Featured in films like the Wayans brothers movie white chicks.

NO it is not OK. Is ANYTHING that offends ever OK?

I personally find "blackface" distastful yet was this outrage displayed over the film "Whitechicks", the doublestandard is somewhat obvious

Seriously...what about the Wayans brothers making money painted like white women???

I think this whole issue is silly. These pictures were not done in an offensive manner or to belittle blacks at all. These pictures were done for entertainment purposes only, not to transmit a political message.

People in America need to get over the fact that the world does not revolve around them and just becuase some in America believe that this act may be offensive, does not make it so to the rest of the world. We need to stop creating controversy where there should be none in the first place.

Naomi Campbell, Iman, Tyra Banks, noticed none of them were asked 2 b included. Clearly French Vogue will go to ANY length not to hire black models including painting white models black. Sad commentary on race relations in the international community

my first instinct is: No, it is never okay. maybe there is the one circumstance when the stars and moon are perfectly aligned; but it is not okay for FrenchVogue to use blackface on a white model. they do not get a pass because they can spin it with some artistic babble. it is not in good taste. add the fact they could not find one african american model to recognize and honor. if it talks like a racist and walks like a racist; it's probably a racist.

While I certainly understand the extreme sensitivity around race and racial predjudice, I think sometimes it would serve us all well to take a step back sometimes. Perhaps if we just look at this photo spread as an extremely exotic example of the marvelous beauty that is black.

I do not think "black face" is offense, after all, it's entertainment. Have you notice, the Jackson 5 black face, was probably not meant to offend. After all Elvis Presley, played an Indian, who got mad at that, Tom Cruise, played a Samari. Please lighten up America, all things are not meant to be offensive. Love you all at CNN!!

Blackface is not appropriate because there are plenty of black entertainers and models throughout the world who can portray black people in an honest and gratifying way. Throughout history, it has been very offensive and used to mock individuals in movies, cartoons, on stamps and on posters. Why paint your face and mock people when you can simply find the real deal to send the same message. It's just a perfect example as to how blacks are the most immitated people on the planet due to our talent and abilities that many times go unseen in the media.

This particular Black face instance appears to be simply a Fashion statement, I believe they just missed the mob by not adding the white lips, The lips would have sealed the DEAL!!!
White lips Black face = Racial Hatred!!!!!!

What is the obsession of 'black face' anyway? Why would a white person need to paint their face black to prove a point, any point? Like was stated, there are several BEAUTIFUL black women that could have posed for the photo. Thank heavens it wasn't done in a demeaning way – I think it shows just how obsessed 'white America' really is with blacks.

Why pay a white women to look like a black woman? That is taking a job a black woman should do and giving the job to a white woman. The white model should be asamed of herself. One of the hosts of your show this morning said "African-American and white". Why not say African-American and caucasian? Or black and whie?

It is offensive and extremely racist. As Black people we must always speak out against these kinds of racist and degrading images of us regardless of where it takes place. We must also understand that racism/white supremacy is global.

I think america is the only country that is partial to racism, no other country has been through what we have when it comes to african americans, so being that its not america based I don't see amything wrong with it.

Hmmm... The Paris Vogue photos are offensive and yet the movie "White Chicks" is not? You can't have it both ways, folks!

Race portrayal is a serious issue, but why are performances only by non-black performers singled out as offensive? In 2004, Keenen Ivory Wayans & Shawn Wayans donned "White face" for the movie "White Chicks"; and not even for an artistic statement. I don't remember CNN doing a segment about the racial aspects of that movie.

The issue of "blackface" clearly represents racism today. A white model is painted black and its offensive. Yet, if a black model were painted white, no one would say a word.

I lived several years in France so "blackface" being used in Vougue magazine doesn't really surprise me all that much. However I was fairly offended by Harry Connick Jr.'s statement that we spend so much time trying to NOT make black people look like bufoons in this country that we really take that kind of stuff to heart. Is he saying that we are buffoons and it takes alot of effort to make us look otherwise? Because that's what it sounded like to me. We need to be worried more about racism in America, before we start pointing fingers at France or anywhere else for that matter.

Blackface is never okay. What this French Vogue photo shoot illustrates is that racism and racist images can easily be imported via media. My question is with so many individuals involved in the making of a single magazine issue, how did it make it to print? Why did no one ask the question "How might this offend readers throughout the world?" Let's be serious, blackface or the painting of a white person's skin via burnt cork (or bodypaint in this case) says we only interested in blackness in so far as we can "try it on" and then wash it off. Let's not forget blackface was used to bring a likeness of blacks too the stage, with the added bonus of not actually having to engage with real black folks because individuals were not interested in seeing individuals of African descent as humans, but rather as characture, un-real and non-human. Countires like Japan that have popular signing groups and stamps with blackface likeness are simply reproducing the same racist ideology and keeping it alive.

If the rest of the world is open minded enough to not take offense to this why is it that Americans have yet again find something to complain about. This is not something to he offended about no one was offened when the Waynes brothers dressed up as white women, they looked lik idiots, but you didn't see white people or women throwing a fit! I completely argree that there should have been a range of people in the spread, but where were the Asian or Hispanic models? Grow up and complain about the really important issues!

Black face is never ok. The history of this racist "entertainment" practice dates back to American Reconstruction and was employed as an argument for the "happy" Black eager to serve white audiences. Vogue can present the photos as art but the use of black face is racist especially when Black models exist who can demonstrate that Black is beautiful.

For the ones who are of color you may not be old enough to no any better, when you think this is OK. Talk to your grandparents and ask them there opinion. The movie WHITE CHICKS, please this doesn't come close to over 100 years of film portraying whites as blacks. Give more supporting movies or articles.

A few years ago I watched one of those modeling-reality shows–and one of the photo shoots for the contestants was to have each model be made up to look like a completely different race– I am not sure if it was a make-up/artistic/creative thing or a social experiment kind of thing.....
Perhaps FV could offer some similar comment....

We have seen famous people don fat suits to gauge reaction and experience what it's like to endure those challenges. We have also seen movies about people changing their skin color–some with comedic intent, some with more serious social implications.

Would anyone tell Eddie Murphy or other Black comic/actors that they aren't allowed to do "white face"–ah but there is that darned double standard–

This is HIGHLY OFFENSIVE! There is absolutely no rational in this day and age for any magazine, especially a popular magazine like French Vogue, to promote the despicable image of Blackface. Rationalizing that their nation has not experience the hurt or ramifications of this buffoonery is a cop-out and I won't buy it!

Clearly none of you have heard of "Black Pieter" from the Dutch Santa Klaus story. Tons of Dutch people dress in black face. And they do so to their children also. I don't see the reason for this but everyone has different views of what is okay and acceptable. That's life, use your time reporting on good stories not this garbage.

I just want to ask one question, how come it is okay for the Wayans brothers to dress like white women in a film, but when French Vogue paints their models black (who by the way get painted every color of the rainbow for photo shoots) it is offensive? Why can't it just be art for the sake of art?

BLACK FACE. BLACK FACE. Why is it that everytime someone makes a comment or gesture that isn't necessarily degrading it is seen that way? Granted black face was used in our country to degrade African Americans in entertainment, but I see this as paying homage to African Americans. Think about it, Caucasians getting painted black for photos. Get over it. Our country, despite all its strife and violence against African Americans over the last 100 years, has made great strides in equality. It actually saddens me to see the AFLCIO, ACLU and other groups taking to the airwaves anytime a little picture in a newspaper, article in a magazine or a song mentions something in regards to African Americans. This shows their insecurity in regards to the efforts made towards AFrican Americans and how they want the freedoms they fought so hard for, yet want to quell freedom of speech. Where is the sense in that?

Black face is never excepable and is not neccessary! There are plenty of naturaly dark skinned people in the world to fill any need for modles and entertainers. I think that if is in very bad taste to have white people dressed in black face.

Again, it depends on the context. What was Vogue thinking? How can anyone celebrate supermodels without the "exotic" models from Africa, or Asia? Almost super women of un-photographed beauty? Those pictures looked stupid, as those women do not carry beauty of color in their face. If some were green or pink or blood red it would have been a different message.

As far as the other countries, I think that they are so much in denial of racial bias because they have never had to deal with it in civil unrest. This country was somehow made for learning about racial bias.

The world makes fun of the people who seeds the very culture they embrace. Street dance forms, music, music video, pop close, language idiom – and everyone wants a tan. Schizophrenic or what? Maybe there is a learning moment for us too?

There is no getting around the fact that this was a bad idea, no matter how you attempt to justify it, no verbal potpourri can camouflage the smell. Blackface was born in an era of subjugation, segregation, institutionalized racism, and lynching.

A minstrel performance in or out of paint is still a minstrel performance, and neither will ever be kosher in my book. Putting a white model in blackface in France doesn't make it high art. it makes it a closed door for a black model, and a cultural insult to the African Diaspora on every continent.

Racial lines these days are being blurred. How many African American celebrities now present themselves with long, straight, fair hair- is that 'white face'? The Vogue photos show a beautiful woman posed beautifully. Let's leave it at that.

Ironically, your follow up piece is about herion addiction and treatment. Personally, I have always felt the name you use 'amfix' to be insensitive- a lighthearted treatment of the name used for a serious, deadly problem.,

We live in a time when America has spoken and elected our first black president. And it was not just black voters that elected him. We stood up and said we are tired of race issues, but we continue to see more increasing racial issues. At what point will people move past these issue( NOT FORGET) AND LIVE TOGETHER IN peace.

Maybe this girl just has a skin problem like Michael Jackson did.

In this case it isn’t true that blackface was used in a derogatory or racially malicious manner – it was used as a visual medium of expression. I think it very short sighted to infer that a black woman could have just as easily been used for this shoot because saying so implies that the same but better effect would be realized. The images that French Vogue created were never meant to be of a beautiful black woman; they were intended to be of a beautiful white woman painted. We place far too much importance on these instances of reference to skin color. Maybe that is one of the prime reasons racism continues to exist. It would be nice if stories like this just didn’t matter any more.

Another African American not particularly offended...sorry. The problem with "traditional" blackface was that it was meant to be degrading with the exaggerated portrayal of ethnic features and the accompanying stereotypical buffoonery. The French Vogue pictures have none of that. However, these pictures do speak somewhat to the continuing perception that ethnic features are somehow less appealing or haute couture than traditional European features. I agree with John: there are no doubt a number of ethnic models who could have been given this opportunity and been even more stunning by showcasing the wide range of looks on the African continent. Believe it or not, not everyone on that continent looks alike!

This is a typical example of transfert:
This 'black-face' issue is an americano-american issue. This cover is the cover of the _French_ edition of Vogue.
Contrary to the cnn report claim, a French reader watching at this photo will NOT make the association with the so-called 'black-face' from 'american entertainment' fame.
It is somewhat disturbing to witness how incredibly self-centered are the CNN anchor: They propose that the 'cause' of that 'outrageous picture' is that 'other country' didn't have the 'civil right mouvement'.
Sure most country didn't, at least not in the XXth century, because most country didn't lived under an apartheid regime until the last part of the XXth century!!! Most country did not exterminate their native population, and replace them with millions of imported slaves....

Furthermore, a cursory review of French-Speaking news outlet, indicate that there is no 'controversy' and even less 'outrage'. The only reference in french speaking media that I could find was a blog making reference to a London Times piece.

@jen:"Why not use a “real” blakc model?"
Please do give a definition of a 'real black'. If you were shown the picture without knowing who the model was, how would you determine if she was 'really' black ? On that topic, is John Boehner offensive for is 'brown face' depiction ? At which level of tanning does your 'offensive sens' get triggered ?

Does anyone who offends this having any other comparison than the movie WHITE CHICKS, please provide more. This sad

I thought imitation is the highest form of flattery

How sadly inappropriate! The first disappointment is that this is an idea that would even be discussed when brainstorming for ideas for a magazine this reputable. Did no one stop and think that their black readers would be hurt by this? There were gorgeous black models that would have suited this purpose just fine. They just didn't have to go there and I hope that their peers in the media and their readers cause a fire storm over this!

We are not talking double standards. We are talking about this one issue. Is this French Magazines pictorial okay? My answer is it's not.
There is a a double standard in this country and is should be discussed when its on the table. The issue on the table is, is blackface ever okay? The answer is NO.

@ Chris

So because previous generations of society held a barbaric view of race for a long time, black actors are entitled to offend any race without criticism? If you think you have it bad, trying finding an American Indian to ask them how they feel about racial equality.

Why is this so different than the movie "White Chicks" (2004) by the Wayan brothers who are black guys playing white women? Women are also considered by some and have historically been an oppressed group?

Hello, I am a black woman this article did not offend me. Black is beautiful no matter who is wearing it. Some black women for years have tried to look white by putting products on their hair to make it straight and colors that is made for whites. So why are we offended by this, we are never happy with ourselves and when someone shows how beautiful our skin color is, we get upset. One of my white friends told me that she wish her skin color was like mine. Come on Black People we have some thing that whites wished they had, why do you think they stay in the sun, its because brown is beautiful!!!!

I do not find it overtly offensive, but sorry most will find it offensive. There are so many models that are African, African-American, Cuban, etc. that they could have used to be black in the ad. For a magazine that has supported so many black models lately, so why even go in blackface when you have so many to choose from that you have used recently. For that reason, I see it as offensive.

The next thing that wil be banned will be suntan lotion and people will have to go to the beach fully clothed like they did earlier in the century.It seems to some people that the color of ones skin isn't the only difference between people. The thickness of ones skin is also a problem.

Vogue's photos are not a vaudeville caricature, but a celebration of the beauty in black skin. It is bronzer taken to the next level. If we are closer to the point where skin color is a fashion statement, rather than a way to judge a person, that is a good thing.

Before we get our knickers in a bind ,remember when Eddie Murphy used dress up in "white face" and emulate the speech of a white person on SNL. Black stand-up "comics" use very distasteful comments about white people. Racism is not a white franchise....racism is rampant among the black community. Let's be fair!!!!!

"Black-face" in French Vogue? The French have always different, however are there not any beautiful black women in France?
There are beautiful black women all over the world & there not enough black women models, but there are thousands of young pretty black women who would love to get out of their situations in say Nigeria where there is electricity "sometimes" during the day...maybe. I am a white woman and I think it was an insult to the many many beautiful black women who would have loved to make the money that young French girl made during that shoot.
WHAT WERE THEY THINKING?

Whoa....I just remembered something. In one season of America's Next Top Model, one of the African American contestants was "blackfaced" to portray Grace Jones (the challenge was portraying various American icons – Cycle 2, 2004). So French Vogue isn't really pushing the envelope, it's just recycling it.

The US created blackface and as an exporter of pop culture distributed this and other racist ideas to the world. In fact, in broadcast medias the US continues to export stale stereotyped versions of blacks to the world.
If you want the view of blacks to change, then distribute the ideas of black equality as vigorously as you distributed the notion of black inferiority.

I find it most interesting that this is causing such an uproar. Where was the media when movies like "White Chicks" and "White men can"t jump" were on the scene? Afican Americans have been making fun of white culture for years and since the election of President Obama all doors should be open. African Americans have been represented by the NAACP since forever. What group represnts whites?? Boy would that cause an big stink!!! (NAAWP). I also find it interesting you interviewed the coordinator of BET (Black Entertainment Television), but failed to interview the counter-part at WET.... oh that's right theres no such thing allowed!!!

I am black, this picture shows how beautiful we really are. Whites stay is the sun trying to get brown skin...wake up black people, they have being telling us for years that they want to look like us. Stop burning your skin and be happy with what God has given you, we know black is beautiful.

I also see that CNN has a blog for "Black Voices". This greatly offends me!!! WHERE'S THE "WHITE VOICES" BLOG ???? HHMMMM, dare you put this on the air........ yeah, that's what I thought.

I'm so blown away by people who are dismissing this! True homosexuals are being treated unfairly, true Jews and Italians are treated unfairly...True White Chicks and Tropic Thunder were movies that reversed this role, true this doesn't display all of the garb worn in traditional blackface costume. The point is, that mockery is ugly and this magazine in sadly lacking in black models and it's just tacky and irresponsible to say that instread of getting a black model, we'll just put the white ones in brown makeup and it'll be beautiful!! The story we were asked to comment on today is about French Vogue's shoot. Why are people making light of this just because there are other injustices out there? If the story were about Gays or Jews or any other group, I would comment accordingly. French Vogue has refused to comment so that only leaves us to question why? If there's nothing to hide and this is completely innocent, there should be no reason that they can't enlighten us.

Asking if blackface is ever okay is like asking if Anti-Semitism is ever ok? Aside from French Vogue, which a number of eyes in North America wouldn't have seen if not for this controversy, examples have been popping up on television as well. Both Mad Men and Weeds have had characters dawn black face this season. Using a technique born out of racial segregation, discrimination and humiliation to sell a few magazines or shock viewers is not ground breaking it's regressive and not where I thought we'd be this many decades after Birth of a Nation.

I want to hear how those you "Air" calling this a racial slap justify blacks such as Waylen brothers, Eddie Murphy and Dave Chappel doing the EXACT SAME THING is NOT racial ????

When we find ourselves in the presence of situations or things that have not been explained to us or are not self-explanatory, our brain automatically tries to make sense of them. These internal interpretations are based on our personal insecurities/strengths/weaknesses and past experiences.

What if the artist behind the picture is saying "Black is so beautiful that even white wants to imitate it" ??

The U.S. has got an unique history when it comes to race issues. The sensitivity here is different than in other countries. But also in the U.S. each person has got his or her individual view on topics like this. Some people do feel offended, others are not. That's why it's important to try to express our own feelings and try to understand the feelings and views of others.

whats the big deal? its not racist to have a movie called white girls and poke fun and insult the whole time? whats the equality in that?

the picture looked very tasteful and ckassy to me

Michael Jackson did white face. Ok. no problem with me

Didn't the Wayan brother's have a movie called, "White Chicks" where they dressed up as rich white twin women from the Hamptons? I thought it was funny. . .

What about black people making movies with white faces. Shouldn't white people feel offended about whith chicks played by 2 black male actor. That should have been offensive. By the way I'm black.

Get over it. These are startling fashion photographic studies in contrast. Like the UNited Colours of Beneton campaign they are eye-catching and a little bit shocking. They are in a French publication for a European audience (market). France is not the USA. Not everything is about the USA, and everything should not be interpreted in an American context.

Look at the military use of camouflage or war paint and then ask the question about acceptability!

The regal and proud Krewe Of Zulu parades in black face every year on Mardi Gras day. Black and white participants use black face as part of their costumes.

Sounds like a lot of people need to lighten up. Sheezo people! Find something of substance to be outraged over, say this healthcare catastrophe maybe.

My thought on the white face painted black: Suppose Ebony Magazine featured a black model on their cover and then with the model's face painted white. Just imagine the outrage if this would happen.

I personally find this offensive – the greatest issue is the fact that there are actual black models that could have been used, additionally, the practice is historically offensive. Perhaps when black models are painted white and replace the white models that dominate the runways and magazines then this could be seen as 'art' vs. prejudice and racism. The insult is greater given the whites only top model list.

@Tony
I'm both African American and American Indian and unil you can walk in my shoes justify your comments. This offensive to me and my family. Maybe you like it, it's your right. But because something wrong was done in the past I'm suppose to pretend like everything is OK you my friend live tunnel vision world. No matter what your race, don't be late for your rally.

white voices arent allowed to be heard anymore, Scott. That is the way it is now, our kids are being taught to be ashamed to be white in our schools, and that they owe everyone else. I believe the playing field is equal as it can get and my kids dont owe anyone anything except to be decent and fair to them and do as well as you can.

To me, this is offensive. This just blows using the "blackface" off the map. How will black America react to this? Some aren't offended and some are. So, does this mean the "N" word is ok? Nothing is ok and it offends me to the fullest. How would Latinos feel if America depicted them as black America has been depicted over the years. This goes for all races. How would each race feel?

Hey, You failed to mention the new "White Voices" Blog........ come on Jason..... no comment? No reply?...... yeah, that's what I thought.
Jason, I would like to hear your own response. Is having a "Black Voices" Blog but no "White Voices" Blog offensive?

In japan there is a whole fashion culture called ganguro which translates in to "black face" Nothing they do or dress up as is an imitation of dark skinned races.

Regarding the Model with the tinted skin........please, how can you not feel that this model is depicting anything else but a color to create a striking look. Do we question the geisha and why they paint their faces white? The Mimes? The Blue Man Group?

C'mon, you are insulting everyone here..... It is pretty obvious when someone is slamming someone, and this is not it.

As CNN mention, it is not the first time a people try to show himself as a color people. More than that, you must understand a certain thing; French vogue magazine do NOT make any politics!!! Is that simple enough? Don't try to make a storm in a glass of water.

Some believe that education is the only key. However, education & COMMON SENSE combined is importnant to me. Plain ol common sense.

In one sense it may be offensive for what our Country has been through. However, maybe the French who in the past were the only to welcome Black and even Italian (Sicilians-Black Italians) to their Country to live and perform and prosper; see this as a celebration for the first Black President. To erase all color lines in fashion, and going back in that same time line when they did welcome with open arms , they expected the same in exchange. Maybe? Remeber how many American perfomers had to run to France because They couldn't find work due to being Black , gay, or whatever the reason this country had in the early days of pre civil rights?

"Blackface" may be leading humankind to enlightenment: let's get rid of the idea of "race". Scientists have long known that no such thing exists. We all came from a small area in Africa, even Rush Limbaugh. (It was Hitler that popularized and made too-permanent the idea in Western culture- confusing language, religion, and minor shades of skin pigmentation. He needed an excuse for his eco-political Drang nach Oesten- the Drive to the East which would grab land and kill off its occupants to counter the then-growing proLiferative population explosion of Middle Europe.)

ARYAN, like LATINO, has to do with language, not biology, There are huge numbers of groups and genetic "families" around the globe, descended from100,000 years of random mutations. For example, albinos are the only "white" people in the world- and I have yet to meet a "black" man whose skin tone was indistinguishable from his really black business suit. And, all kids left behind, let's do a bit of math. How many ancestors did you have in Year 1 of the Common Era? Where did they live- all of them? Let's rely on science nd history, not on left-over ideologies.

If I need a blood transfusion, and you kindly offer it, I want to know your blood type, not your skin color! And thank you, my fellow human!

I wouldn't be so quick to call the photos racist. The layout is in a fashion magazine, in a context of embracing appearances. They shows us how race is a performance. We're all the same underneath the masks and costumes.

Personally I think that those pictures in Vogue magazine are not tasteful. I could say that it was not smart to show a white woman with a black painted face, considering the sensitivity around race issues, but probably the magazine wanted to create a controversy. I think this is mainly a case of bad taste and cheap greed.

Pure racist is it though that there are no black or asian models in their list of topmodels. If Vogue is aiming to sell their magazines to a white audience I could understand it. But since they are selling their magazines world wide, the models that they hire should reflect the world's population. Now it feels like they're implying that causian looks are superior.

No, blackface is not acceptable. As the report went on to say we have come a long way in this country, when it in fact we have not. We have not gone anywhere against racism as long as there is Chief Wahoo & the Cleveland Indians, the horrid genocidal name of the Washington Redskins, Lee Corso thinking he is cute/funny/loyal when he puts on a headdress depicting Florida State University, & Native American halloween costumes are still being sold. There is no difference between these stereotypes & blackface.

This is NOT okay-the negative connotation overwhelms any innocent intentions. It's just lke sporting a swastika-once a symbol of life & good luck, swastikas are now synonymous with Hilter's murderous regime.)

Although I appreciate good art, black face is inherently associated with the simultaneous exclusion and exploitation of African-Americans. French Vogue should've "known better," but what makes this most offensive is the magazine's silence.

You got to be kidding! Not only is blackface racist,stupid,dumb,and she looks out right UGLY(just imagin seeing a person looking like that....at night...after you have left the club....that scary movie....that lousey dinner...yor exwifes house!) Besides with all the beautiful blk women in the world vouge maggazine had to go in that direction(Oh thats right sorry dont wanna repeat, i already coverd Stupid!) The ladies in this house are showing their true beautiful colors as they draw up a list of things not allowed in the house. My roommate thinks its beer that wont be allowed i think its that vouge magazine.

no it's not okay. it is very sad when you have professional people with such a small mind. why would you call this a form of art when you have black people everyday walking around in their natural skin color we don't call that a form of art. we call it everything but art.

Why the blackface, they have black models over there, right?

Simply nothing more than people, in this case a magazine, making money off of others. Why use blackface & not a "real" black model?
The ones that came up with this idea are laughing all the way to the bank!

A little of fact-checking:

No mainstream french-speaking media outlet has the 'story'.

a couple of web-based site have picked it up.

http://www.20minutes.fr/article/355079/Media-Scandale-autour-de-photos-d-une-mannequin-maquillee-en-noir.php

for instance.
in which they also claim that the first person to 'denounce' the picture were the american blog 'jezebel'.

Internationally. The only source is the London Times website, that point back to 'unnamed blogger, except of the previously mentioned Jezebel.

CNN piece seems to be mostly drawn from that London Times web entry.

In other world the so-called "outrage in Europe and the U.S." is really ONE US blog.

BTW the photoshoot was done by an American photographer!

Thank goodness other ppl are commenting about the Wayans brother's film "White Chicks". It would be a doule standard to criticize this photo and call it racist and yet make no remark to the ignorance of the "White Chicks" fillm.
Maybe it would be appropriate for French Vogue to make a statement or maybe they should have placed an article with the photo describing the direction they were going in with this photo. It is curious that they lack black models.. but im not sure i believe that is the point of the photo nor the reason for painting the woman to resemble a black woman. Im sure we'll hear about this on the Tyra Banks show.. which I am quite looking forward to.

come on people; have some fun once in a while. we are so obsessed with racism that we forget we are all in this together. we are bothered by every little thing that someone else does, but we overlook our own idiosyncrasies. we have very little tolerance for what others do. we immediately claim racism. we need to realize that we all live on the same planet. if the planet fails, we all fail. lets not judge people by color or race. let us get to know eachother and maybe we could all just live peaceably together. (idealism at its best)

i know black is beautiful. i want to know is there any black female models working for vogue? if so than how do you feel? is it fair to you to take a white woman and paint her body black and there you are waiting for the job. after all not one of you made the cut. how betrayal.

To being with: she is beautiful!

Quite honestly, I think we need to learn how to distinguish between something done to make a statement of beauty and something done out of cruelty. This photo was not done out of cruelty, this photo was done to celebrate beauty.

It's time that people stop looking for hate and discrimination and to start looking for beauty.

Blackface is never OK. Vogue might have created a more provocative statement – if indeed that was their intent – by incorporating into these photos black supermodels in white face, alongside the white supermodels in blackface. Then perhaps we'd all experience the discomfort that art is meant to produce, as our individual issues regarding race and identity came to the surface.
What would our reactions be if confronted with images of both white and black races trying to assume the identity of the other? Would it seem threatening, or might a "saw my reflection in the mirror" feeling foster a greater sense of unity? In any case, we might become more aware that, tragically, power still is a byproduct of skin color.

Is Blackface ever ok? Was lynching? Come on people. The demons have reared their ugly heads and racism is alive and "kicking". These people aren't going to be satisfied until the Black Panther Party, or some other form of Revolutionary Party against racists come back and retaliate. It's sad, that in 2009, French Vogue, Australia, and others see it as okay to bring back the "Blackface" that has signified disrespect and denegration among African-Americans. So yall think this is okay? Alright. That's good. Just wait....wait until something happens as a result of this....then, will it be funny then?

To call this fashion is offensive in itself. Say blackface and it instantly brings back images from the past. A past where there black were excluded or ridiculed simply by the color of their skin. Calling something art seems to allow artists to be racists and offensive. i will never by Vogue French or otherwise, there should be a boycott, they couldn't find black models, how offensive

Didnt A real issue featuring black women make them millions? Or was that another magazine? Anyway, there are too many beautiful black women to put in any White or Black fashion magazine. To say it is high fashion is an insult to Black Women around the world. It says we cannot accurately represent ourselves. SO white men, paint white women, in dark brown and call it high fashion. NO THIS IS EUROPEAN RACISM THE GRANDPARENTS OF AMERICAN RACISM.

Im glad im not the only one who notices the double standard. Blacks can gety on tv and just rip white people to shreds, and nothing is ever mentioned, but something not even intentionally offensive has made a big ruckus with black folks. It will never be fair i guess till blacks dont have to work for a living, all black guys have a white chick, and everyone has a white servant or 2. then they will still holler racism cause their white servant cant rap

Black. White. Yellow. Red. Brown. Racism will remain as long as we continue to categorize people by color, and CNN will be leading the way. I'm just waiting for Black in America 3 and 4, so don't let me down CNN. As a straight, white, christian, conservative male, I need to told how bad I am by the media and people of other ethnic groups. All the while CNN and people of other ethnic groups create some of most racist material in existance in today's modern world.

Yes. I think Clevland Brown from that Fox cartoon said it best "WE CAN DRESS LIKE YOU, BUT YOU CAN NOT DRESS LIKE US!"...

It's a different Country, different values. if you don't like it don't buy the magazine. Hit them where it'll hurt them ~~ in the pocketbook!

Are you serious? Are you really comparing the movie, "White Chicks" to Black-face? First of all, the movie was a comedy about two policemen who dressed up like rich girls so that they could stop a kidnapping attempt. This could've been made by anyone–black or white–the fact that The Wayan's did it and called it..."White Chicks" in itself was funny because they were men....not, black men. If whites were sold into slavery from Europe and treated the way blacks were-throughout the history of the United States-then, perhaps I could understand the comments made by many. Noone could possibly know what blacks have been through–except, perhaps Native Americans–but, even they weren't separated from their wives, husbands, children, and families–greased up and put onto a block to be sold like cattle or other inanimate object. As far as the Japanese dressing as "whites" when the are geisha's....well, that's a ritualistic and cultural symbolism practiced by Japanese. No where in America's history has any race been treated and be continuously treated as second-class citizens. Look at the Republicans in the Senate and Congress...they're mocking our President and hoping he fails simply because he's African-American. All the troops George Bush sent over to Iraq, and all the soldiers killed then–none of their family or protestors had anything to say. Was their deaths less tragic because our nation had a white President that couldn't even speak in complete sentences? Race/class is always going to be an issue in this country and in this world-as long as ignorance like the thought that it's okay to portray people in a denegrating way is okay!!!! Someone said...were there no black models in France? If she modeled because her teeth were bad-do what they did on America's Next Top Model–take her @## to a dentist. It's a sad day!

Plainly speaking, I don't get it! Either black or white faces painted to depict other races is slightly beyond me. Appreciate the intrigue, curiousity etc that goes with assuming such postures but wonder what level of sensitivity is taken into consideration with such artistic endeavours.

To complete the circle, Vogue should provide a reversal of roles in its next instalment – at the very least, restore some parity!

Ehh... Maybe it's a metaphor for how white people are suddenly feeling implicit pressure to be self-deprecating and pandering toward black people, which shouldn't be necessary, since /we're all human beings./ Maybe it's just Vogue doing the usual: trying way too hard to push people's buttons and seem offbeat in one way or another. Maybe it's merely a tip of the hat to Obama, but Vogue being Vogue and hipsters being hipsters, they just had to take the most complicated approach available. Who knows? Someone once said, "The only people who need not explain themselves are artists and pregnant women."

Ok here’s the deal. When I saw this story this morning I was shocked. Not shocked that a photographer shot a white woman painted black but shocked that people were making a big deal out of it. The photos where an artistic expression and I believe they should be treated as such. This morning they brought up classic blackface which no doubt portrayed black people in a way that is offensive. But this is a totally different situation entirely. The pictures were not intended to be offensive at all. The photos showed a “black” woman in tribal inspired attire and as strong and beautiful. The way I see it the point of this trend is not to offend but it is to show that a beautiful human being is beautiful no matter what their color. On an episode of America’s Next Top Model the models were to portray a different ethnicity. Was that offensive?!! In my opinion no it’s not offensive it’s art. And from another point of view if black face is wrong then so is black men making themselves look like white girls and acting stupid. I’m speaking in reference to the movie White Chicks. I thing that everyone needs to just chill and stop taking everything as an attack on who they are. Maybe its not that French vogue was trying to be offensive, maybe it is that they don’t see it such as a big deal. The racial tension in America is getting ridiculous. People are people no matter their differences. People need to learn to take things and just brush them off.

You guys are conflict provoking! Jesus says "Be thou not offended, so why are you?" Since imitation is the best form of flattery, are you offended that a white model wonders how she would look @ a black person? Should white Americans be offended that American black culture has taken ownership of our President? Which half of him is offended @ this story? Artistic license seeks art appreciation @ well @ critique. I think the people of the world are very oversensitive, on purpose...sympathy seeking, conflict causing instead of solving.

Maybe it's because I am Canadian. Maybe it's because I am a GenX'er...But this is ridiculous! It is quite obvious to anyone with an ounce of common sense and artistic intelligence to see that this was simply a "BLACK & WHITE" themed shoot. For many if not most of us out there. Race would not even in the top of our minds, if African-Americans didn't keep bringing it up...for the most part without merit. From my observations, the only people keeping the "Black man down", are the African-Americans who crave the attention they get in the media. I don't even know anyone my age, who cares one bit about race. Wake up, it's 2009 and you have a colored President of the United States! Quit being a victim and start acting like victors.

Since most in the modeling industry consider themselves artists with a vision, looking to push the boundaries of art, I don't think that it was anyone's intention to offend. I understand the arguement of "they should have just hired black models" however, if the vision was to make someone look like they were someone else, that arguement doesn't stand.
Besides, a few seasons ago America's Next Top Model had an episode where all the girls were dressed like a different race/culture, Black, White, Eskimo, Asian, etc., and no one made a big deal about that.
While there still is a lot of racism in the world, I think that sometimes people are overly sensitive and read too much into things.

Unlike the movie White chicks, blackface has an ugly racist past, that was meant to humiliate Black people.

No one made any comments while Michael Jackson was endeavoring to look white. Runway shows are more than displays of garments, they are a combination of art, glitz, and grandiosity. If everything that says black, implies black, or borrows an occasional black slang word is racist, why are there no all white universities, or CNN coverage if a black person uses the word cracker. Blacks have played all the race cards in the deck, now the only thing left are the jokers.

Wow – I had no idea some (and I do mean some) black people are that thin-skinned.

What would have been really cool would to have been to have her with five different colors; Ivory, yellow, red, brown, and black on different parts of her body or integrated on her face in a random pattern. That would have represented all of us correctly. They will learn. They just did not go far enough with their initial idea of community.

This is very very offensive. I will never respect or buy anything from Vogue again. You dont have to take a white lady and make her black you can get a african woman or an african american to pose black. What are they trying to say. That theres no beauty with any of us. This Vogue magazine needs to be shut down. Every race of color should never promote this kind of junk and stand up against such copies.

Oh but its ok for the Wayans' brothers to make a movie painted as white chicks and made fun of. And how about the movie where Beyonce's sister kept calling Hayen P white girl in some cheerleading movie. How come when a white person does something regarded as negative towards black or any other race it gets slammed. But if another race does it-its ok. There is some serious double standard going on and its seems to be getting worse.

Is Blackface OK? I guess that question should be posted to Fred Armisen who consistently does President Obama in dark makeup. I guess since Obama is not really a dark black, but more of a light chocolate black, that makes it ok. Get a grip. We don't hear the press griping about Fred, perhaps we should.

White Chick was a parody of people like Paris Hilton, ignorant rich girls. It was not all whites and it was not blackface. The Wayans brothers were making fun of a small social stereotype. Not a whole race.

My response to the question, "Is blackface ever okay?", is that it's absolutely never okay. We, as human beings should live by the golden rule of treating other's as we want to be treated. If any race or ethnic group could be hurt by images in the media, wherein it would be taken as sensative or offensive historically, then it should not be done. Ultimately, I wish that we will extend a healthy sense of humanity to people of all races and ethnic backgrounds.

Scott .............. get a grip and think before you post your answers/questions.

I didn't see the magazine, but on the internet saw the magazine opened viewing the two opposing pages. I looked at the photos hard with the idea that photography is art and tried to make sense out of the semblance. I saw that two pages opposite each other in placement and in looks/ both with the same model as the subject. First photograph- the model was unrealistic exaggerated colorless white, the background solid black, her legs-arms all positioned outward. Second photograph opposite the first featured the same model appearing with brown skin against a white background, arms and legs all are closed.
Are readers suppose to view the two opposing pages and see something? Is this supposed to be viewed by looking at the two opposite pages?

This is NOT blackface. Now I understand that stereotyping is usually negative. However, there are positive stereotypes; blackface not being one of them of course. I don't totally understand what's considered offensive but I do know that sometimes people overreact to certain stereotypes. I'm just saying.

Im guessing since blackface is back, lynching will be back soon too

If the statement here is colour is of no object.... then fine. Did Vogue have pics taken of Black Women as White woman as a contrast? Now that would be more acceptable. Mind you I would'nt say it is the same as the Cole-face Blackface racism shown throughout history.

People have been harping on about Wayans White Chicks. The film was crap. So much so I could not even take the time to take offense. Looking from a wide perspective, it is nowhere near the same as "Blackface". Oh and before you make any comment ... I am mixed race.. part Jamaican part English.

To see understand and see racism is in itself an education and I have witnessed on both sides. Thankfully in the UK majority on both sides do not have racist views just a minority in my experience.

People are lacking LOVE in this world. Love is blind of the colour of ones skin colour. Time to meditate on this thought instead.

Is BF ever ok? NO!

Blackface has racist origins, it was/is in fact a WEAPON used to demonize blacks and it was used to justify slavery and encourage racism onto American blacks. Fred Armisen is NOT white, therefore he gets a pass, just like Carlos Mencia, since whites invented it for hateful reasons, whenever whites do BF it is suspect, it's as simple as that. Lately, the defenders of BF have pointed out that if a white person is made up to look more or less like a normal black person such as in Tropic Thunder that that is fine.......WRONG! It is still BF, with just a better makeup job, but the origins are still the same. What about White Chicks the film and White Chicks 2? White face does NOT equal black face, they have very different histories behind them, one racist, the other not racist.

The defenders of BF like to point out INTENT, but remember, it is intent vs impact. BF is AWAYS a BAD idea.