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June 18th, 2010
12:25 PM ET
The Color of Beauty
'The Color of Beauty' is a documentary that looks at what many consider institutionalized racism in the fashion industry. Black models struggle to find work. The first African-American to grace the cover of Vogue magazine supermodel Beverly Johnson and model/actor Renauld White join Tony Harris to discuss the documentary. The definition of beauty and fashion is what we're talking about in our 'What Matters' segment.
"Institutionalized Racism" is a tool of the Republican Party. No matter what our President does they have bashed him from day one. Not because they disagree with his policy but because he is black. They should all be executed for Treason along with their fringe cohorts the Tea Baggers. Unfortunately no matter how good you are as a model your chances are slim because they will impeade your success because of your color.
I"m white, and I find this story disturbing. What I really want to know from Tony (and perhaps it is actually in the documentary) –NAME the mags, editors, companies, designers who are contributing to this problem. When I choose clothes, it's how they look, not the color of the person wearing it. However, if there are designers or magazines that have this (white models only) as a "hidden" policy I want to know who they are so I can choose to not give them my subscription or money.
Are you kidding me?
I've seen Black & White & Hispanic & Eastern block models for years.
At least you have models. I'm a minority in my own country, an invisible Mohawk, First Nations, Native American, Indigenous, Aboriginal women living within a culture dominated by all of the above.
When was the last time or that matter the first time that any of you saw a Mohawk, First Nations, Native American, Indigenous, Aboriginal Super Model, walking the runway?
My guess would be never.
Your stuggling in the fashion industry?
We are women without representation, who wear clothes & make-up & shoes just like everyone else & want to be represented by women who look us.
Stop whining...and get over it, at least your in the fashion industry..
The next time you start to feel sorry for yourself, you think about the thousands of beautiful young women in Indian Country that have NEVER had what you have.
Its good see CNN picked up on this story.
I just happened to switch to CNN and caught the documentary The Colour of Beauty. It was interesting to hear Beverley Johnson's view of the piece but it would have been more interesting to hear from the model in the documentary. Seeing that Beverley Johnson modeled in the 70s it would be nice to compare her experience with that of Renee Thompson as it stands today. As a point of reference I googled Renee Thompson and found out that she is with MC2 Model Management in New York city. I am sure it would be interesting to hear from the model herself as to what her experiences have been in the woeld of fashion, I know I would.
Why doesn't CNN have any dark-skinned, African-American women on staff? That's the REAL question in all of this. "Black In America" wasn't even hosted by a...well, you know where I'm going.