Too Dark for Cover
Tired from another day at the modern day plantation, I quickly took a seat on the Copenhagen-bound train. Staring up at me from the seat was today's MetroXpress, with the headline: Too Dark for the Cover.(click here for original article in Danish)
It continues, "Women magazines don't use dark models on the cover because it doesn't sell."
According to the article, no Danish magazine has had a Black model gracing its cover in the past year. My first reaction was like, hello? Is this news? After all, we are in Denmark and Danish women want to see themselves on the cover and will quicker drop their money on the counter for something that validates their beauty than denies it (sounds familiar?)
"We have never used Black girls on the cover of our magazines."(sheesh, the magazine seems to be berating me!) "If you look...at our readers, the majority is white. We have to reflect our readership. Why should I choose something that doesn't work?" Explains the Editor-in-Chief of Woman, Helle Block.
Media expert Karen Klitgaard Povlsen from Aarhus University offers, "Although we talk about integration in Denmark, Denmark is still a white society and there are not that many Danes who are interested in beauty ideals outside the European idea of beauty: white, young and slim."
Is this news to anyone?
Camilla Kjems, the Editor-in-Chief of Q and Bazar says, "I would love to put a Black model on the cover, but I am afraid that the magazine will not sell well..."
Wow!
See folks--this is MARS! And again, why is this news? Like I couldn't tell there were no Black folks up in the media here. Talk about being far away from an inclusive society--but again, we are in Denmark and folks: you can not get any whiter than this. (See Lisa, there is a price you pay for moving over here!) Denmark the happiest place in the world? If you're Danish, of course. And me? Well, I'm not exactly pastry...
And just for the record, although the situation ain't that bad back in the U.S. of A-- they be having the same ol' debate...
See ya later,
the lab
It continues, "Women magazines don't use dark models on the cover because it doesn't sell."
According to the article, no Danish magazine has had a Black model gracing its cover in the past year. My first reaction was like, hello? Is this news? After all, we are in Denmark and Danish women want to see themselves on the cover and will quicker drop their money on the counter for something that validates their beauty than denies it (sounds familiar?)
"We have never used Black girls on the cover of our magazines."(sheesh, the magazine seems to be berating me!) "If you look...at our readers, the majority is white. We have to reflect our readership. Why should I choose something that doesn't work?" Explains the Editor-in-Chief of Woman, Helle Block.
Media expert Karen Klitgaard Povlsen from Aarhus University offers, "Although we talk about integration in Denmark, Denmark is still a white society and there are not that many Danes who are interested in beauty ideals outside the European idea of beauty: white, young and slim."
Is this news to anyone?
Camilla Kjems, the Editor-in-Chief of Q and Bazar says, "I would love to put a Black model on the cover, but I am afraid that the magazine will not sell well..."
Wow!
See folks--this is MARS! And again, why is this news? Like I couldn't tell there were no Black folks up in the media here. Talk about being far away from an inclusive society--but again, we are in Denmark and folks: you can not get any whiter than this. (See Lisa, there is a price you pay for moving over here!) Denmark the happiest place in the world? If you're Danish, of course. And me? Well, I'm not exactly pastry...
And just for the record, although the situation ain't that bad back in the U.S. of A-- they be having the same ol' debate...
See ya later,
the lab
Comments
Great posting.
Thank you
http://edition.cnn.com/2007/WORLD/europe/02/16/untold.stories/
In case you were curious.
W
the lab
Love ya,
LAD
The sad thing about East European countries is they are sort of so busy hating on each other (and Gypsies) to make any concerted stink about us'n culluds.
IKEA names lesser goods after, wipes shoes on Denmark
http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/ikea_names_lesser_goods_after_wipes_shoes_on_denmark_9165.asp