Racism is a real monkey

I saw the cover of the "shape" issue of Vogue magazine, which features model Giselle Bündchen and LeBron James as examples for the story "Secrets of the Best Bodies."

I was initially confused after seeing the cover. I had to read an article by Kansas City Star columnist Jason Whitlock to grasp how one could consider the cover content racist.

Maybe I was blinded by my adoration of Giselle's pretty dress and LeBron's hot tatts, but at first glance, I didn't notice the King Kong/distressed damsel pose Whitlock claimed the duo made.

I think the reason LeBron ended up remotely resembling a gargantuan gorilla is because Vogue wanted to show the differences between his body type and Giselle's - he is obviously more robust than she, and more menacing as a powerful basketball player than she is as a waifish model. It could have easily been her brawny boyfriend Tom Brady on the cover, holding her up in the same way and with the same faux-fierce look on his face... but no one likes him. LeBron is talented and popular; I guess it's just a coincidence that he's dark.

It seems unlikely that LeBron was asked to pose in such a way with negative implications. I doubt that was Vogue's intention, especially if LeBron went with it (and with gusto, it looks). I suppose it could have been unintentional, but it still seems that something else is at play.

I will say that Jason Whitlock is no stranger to identifying and attacking supposed instances of racism; for instance, in his story titled "The haters can't handle the truth," he condemns current criticism of American basketball as racist.

As we consider the offense the Vogue cover may cause, does it matter that Whitlock is African-American? I don't think this matters so much as the history and experiences that contribute to people's mindsets and worldviews, leading them to see racism and other forms of oppression where others don't. While those involved in creating the magazine cover may have been a little too creative, others instead have unfortunately managed to find cruelty and hate because of what they know, what they have discerned of the past, and what their experiences have been.

Some people even find the cover to be sexist. Maybe it's the same situation here.

I may be naïve, but if you ask me, it just looks like LeBron and Giselle are having fun gaining fame and money - which has nothing to do with race. Or gender.

However, it's important to take note of the effects pieces of art or commentary may have on anyone, no matter what contributes to individual perceptions. Emotions and thoughts are the same despite the intentions behind their instigators.