Vogue's New Cover: Scandal or Misunderstanding?

Walk by the newsstand and the new issue of Vogue will quickly catch your eye. The cover has certainly attracted a lot of attention, mostly in controversy. The cover stands out. It features Michael Jordan in a typical defensive stance with his game face on. Beside him stands a model in a silky dress poised as if she's entering a party, smiling joyfully. Some people may ask, what is the controversy? To others, it will be obvious.

The controversy is this: A portion of the population believes this cover to be a racist, discriminatory poke at black athletes. The black man looking crazed while the pretty white girl is smiling and well-dressed. There have even been references made to a big ape trying to abduct the pretty girl. The skeleton of the argument against this cover is that the two are mismatched in style, attitude, and appearance. Some believe it is intentional, while others are willing to accept gross negligence.

In Vogue's defense, they are a fashion magazine. Anyone familiar with the fashion industry knows that sometimes the most widely mismatched pieces make the most powerful statement. So what statement was Vogue trying to make? The magazine claims they were only attempting to capture Jordan's true spirit. He is, after all, a basketball player. Even an amateur player will recognize his stance as basic defense. His facial expression displays the energy and adrenaline that fuels a player's aggressiveness come game time. Vogue captured Jordan in his element. As for the pretty girl, well, models are paid to look pretty. As for her dress, it is a fashion magazine. It would be gravely erroneous for Vogue to have them both in basketball shorts and overlook fashion entirely.

Instead of being so quick to express outrage, maybe it would be wise to look at the good here. A black man is on the cover of Vogue, one of the largest fashion magazines in the world. That is a huge compliment, not to mention unbelievably rare. I have been reading Vogue for years and honestly I can't recall ever having seen a black man on the cover. It is rare even to see a black woman on the cover. So instead of being so quick to attack, why can't people just see the good?

Nevertheless, I would not be expecting a formal apology from Vogue's editors anytime in the near future. The fashion world is not quick to apologize for its ingenuity. And why should they? Controversy sparks interest. I would be curious to know just how many magazines they sell this month. I am sure many new readers will buy this month's issue out of mere curiosity. The goal of any magazine cover is to attract attention. Vogue was certainly successful.