WTF: 16-Year-Old White Girl Poses in ‘African Queen’ Editorial
COMPLETE DEVASTATION TO THE NATION
Chile y’all might as well stop sending your black daughters to John Casablanca’s for modeling training because now the industry is using the white girls to portray African Culture in the magazines. No GAWD hunty! I guess the casting directors figured that the black girls really don’t want to be high fashion models, they’d prefer to be “urban models” and instagram centerfolds. Ha. Catch these T’s.
ARTICLE COPIED IN ITS ENTIRETY FROM JEZEBEL.COM WRITTEN BY LAURA BECK
Here we go again. Here’s 16-year-old white model Ondria Hardin; she’s doused in a very deep bronze in an editorial for Numéro magazine called “African Queen”. Ugh. Foudre makes the excellent point/sums it up with, “why hire a black model when you could just paint a white one!”
Maybe it’s because the magazine just couldn’t find a black model? Maybe there are none, and it’s just not a profession that appeals to anyone but young, tall, skinny, white girls? They’re probably the only ones who enjoy traveling around the world and getting paid tons of money to be pretty? I know, I know, modeling is much more than that — don’t listen to me, I can barely smize! — but you get the point. It appears diversity also floundered at NYC’s fashion week this year, with over 82 percent of the models being white.
However, the same agency that represents Ondria Hardin has several black women in their pool. It’s a much (MUCH) tinier pool than the amount of white models they represent, but it does exist. And if none of those women are quite right, there are about a gazillion other places to look. There’s no excuse for using a barely 16-year-old white girl in an “African Queen” spread.
It’s impossible to look at this and not ache for young women of color who want to pursue careers in modeling (and arguably, fashion by extension). When they don’t see themselves on the runway or in magazines, it could be very easy for them to think, “huh, I guess modeling isn’t for me.” Then the status quo remains, and the runways remain monotone. If jobs for “African Queen” photo spreads aren’t going to black women, what hope is there?
WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS ON THIS?
112 Responses to “WTF: 16-Year-Old White Girl Poses in ‘African Queen’ Editorial”
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well you got a bunch of black women trying to look white with all the weaves and skin bleaching….so what is the difference…its not like the child was doing blackface and tap-dancing with some watermelon….which is less than i can say for some of the ACTUAL black folks in the spotlight…
wow
Are White Africans now indigenous to Africa? BS to Hell now man!!!
I must say if you don’t get the point as into why this would be insulting. Then there must be a few screws loose in you! This is totally disrespectful, also it didnot make her look like an African queen it made her look like she was scared!!!! sorry this was a bad call.
yeah thats fucked
I find this insulting, but, How come people didnt raise that much hell when Beyonce was dressing up as a European Queen? Is that considered “white face”?
I work for the agency that represents the photographer and I also know the photographer. He would never knowingly accept a job that would be blatantly disrespectful to ANY race. That said, here’s his statement regarding this shoot: http://blog.jedroot.com/jri/2013/02/sebastian-kim-responds-to-the-controversy-surrounding-his-recent-story-for-numero-france.html
Another giant step in the wrong direction…pure and utter tomfoolery!
a mess..smh
Anyone on this thread that doesn’t see a problem with this is the proverbial “House Nigger” eating at “Massahs” table accepting what he gives. If he sick you ask “Is we sick too, massah?” cuz you don’t know no good. ANyone who cant see the problem in painting a white girl black or brown needs to have their brain washed free of the dominant socite byb reading a book. #FuckeryAtItsBest.
Thats a low down dirty shame
Let’s Put “European Queen” under Lil’ Kim’s face…he he
Crazy thing is…she’s prettier as a “Black Queen” then she is otherwise. I vote she go bronze in real life!
I believe the majority of us are aware of the diversity in Africa. However, panting any model of a different skin tone, can be offensive to another culture. Also, you know some actions are taken to provoke controversy and elevate sales..
Can our culture have anything to ourselves…this is ridiculousness
I guess this is Black Face 3.0?
Whites painting themselves with Black faces for entertainment purposes was never meant to be complimentary in the past and it sure isn’t now. I wonder if her modern day black face imagery is supposed to be amusing and taken lightly because she’s bronzed?
It’s widely understood photographers often take liberties to be edgy and thought provoking without incident thus leaving observers to come to their own conclusive interpretation.
However in this case, it kinda seems this photo would not have been offensive had the ad not included the phrase African Queen to describe the model. Yet it does, which begs the question…why?
Terrible.. That is all
Nope they sure dont but a majority does and BLACK WOMEN is the societies poster child IJS. You have your opinion and I have mine.
black women do not have a monopoly on hips, lips and ass. there are plenty of black women with small lips, no hips and flat asses shaped like SpongeBob square pants, ijs…..
What is the name of the magazine I want to raise HELL because I have several Beautiful women that can do that ad.
And women of other raises tan to the darkest degree, get lips, hips, and ass injected. IJS
wow, but a lot of black females purchase European type hair, bleach their skin and were colored contacts lenses and I hardly hear any outrage about that in the black community….ijs
FYI.. She isn’t is from Africa she was born and raised in South Carolina.
I just want to know saying that there are whites in africa which was said a couple of times means what in respect to this issue. There also are blacks in Africa so….smh
Yep a white woman painted black is offensive, when people turn the other cheek this is what happens.. People are saying what’s the problem?? Why paint her black?? Why try to fix her features to that of a black woman?? We as BLACK WOMEN are disrespected enough. We only know what it’s like to live with our brown, dark, red and light skinned complexions. Our thick hair. Our full lips, well defined jaw lines and small framed to full figure bodies. Sorry but I’m offended because that was straight ignorant, Great Britain moved in Africa and began seizing countries where Sarah Braatman was taken from Africa and put to prostitution.
but there are white people in africa sooo……whats the problem
maybe she’s south african… you know they live there too
Just cant ever satisfy you Negros…a White woman painted black and your pissed off; Zoe Saldana painted as a blacker black woman and youre pissed off…whatever…
ok this fuckin pisses me off!
Only a black woman can portray a black woman in all of her essence. Just like any other culture of a woman can only portray there race. I for one find it offensive that in are day and age that they would paint a white woman face black (when in the past it was used to make fun of our ancestors)
Say what you want about this, but at least she looks natural and amazing instead of something like a mammy caricature. Also in the U.S. most people would associate the name “Ondria” to a black female before a white woman, so…
I can’t hate.
P.S. Dineva is there a way to limit how many times I have to see the same advertisement? I know advertisements are supposed to bring in money to the sites they’re on, but gosh. I can’t even scroll down without it popping it 1-2 more times.
*popping up
Who is the photographer and the dumb ass who allowed the editorial I want to whoop their ass this shit is disgusting
I find it damn funny that when something like this comes up we are offended I am offended but yet there is always some uneducated fucks that want to find excuses for the shit YES there are white people in Africa they also came to conqure succeeded and stayed . Charlize Theron is African American but how does that excuse this bull??? Stop the madness
Pure Fuckery !!!!!!!
so is this the wh ite portrayal of what they think a african american woman should look like in there eyes? is this what they think she should represent? beautiful girl, but how many black women are protraying white women on the ocvers of magazines, though not impossible because honey we are like skittles all of the colors of t he rainbow. its a false represnetation of self and of black women because this young lady is no AFRICAN Queen. Not approved. do betta
complete devastation to the nation
True there are white Africans but they painted,bronzed,blackend….what so have you to give this spread a Black Woman~ sans African Queen look. Poor Taste!!!
@shaun shirey girl take yourself to bye-ville. Someone already made that comment and it was addressed. Yes, due to colonization there are white Africans, and if they wanted to highlight white africans, they would have done so by leaving her skin white. However, she is in black face and African Queen is a term that is not only historical because we were queens, but also used to uplift brown and black Africans or decedents of Africans because we are always degraded. To use a term of endearment and then place it on a historically racist portrayal of black people, that is unacceptable on so many levels and racist. So do us all a favor, when it comes to the matter of black women and our portrayal, leave it to us BLACK WOMEN and fall back.
the point is that we as a world are supposed to be beyond the segregation of colored people. But unfortunately, we arent. I am sure many of you would be upset if they darkened her skin to make her look Indian, or tried to make her look Asian. It is a big deal. Tell me, what is the problem with finding a model who is actually dark? it really cant be that hard. Why go through the trouble of painting her? How is a white girl supposed to model for a race she doesn’t even belong to. Modeling is more than just putting clothes on and looking pretty. You are supposed to embody a whole emotion/setting/feeling etc. How can she do that if she is not even “african” or of the race? It goes back to the inequality. It is not about some damn picture. Its what it stands for….. and what it shows the rest of us.
We still don’t have equality, We still don’t see them as equals. which is horrific.
yeah, there are other issues we should be worried about. ANd yeah this does seem minuscule, but is it?
this issue was born the day slaves were created and brought over seas, this issue has been around for hundreds of years. You would think we would be over it by now. Obviously not.
This should no be happening right now. Yet it is.
I love your page, but there are white people in Africa too..Charlize Theron is from SOuth Africa…Just sayin..
Lol some of you talking about white africans are making me laugh! obvious white people are African by heritage, they’re african by colonialism! futhermore evidently she’s white trying to be black! so bye bitches aint nobdy got time for ignorance! referencing charlize theron is just dumb
Ok, I am truly offended. I understand that there are white Africans but to take a white person and paint them black…that -ish is oh so disrespectful and uncalled for.
its some bullshit thats what it’s about
It’s not “nationality”; it’s race. There’s a difference.
ALL of the Black Females were Un-Available???
Pure fuckery!
Tyra Banks did something like this o ANTM years ago. All the girls had alternate nationalities. Not a big deal IMO.
I agree with Anjaayla…and the majority of you. I dont thnk the issue is that she’s white…I think the issue here is that they’re making her look to be another nationality. At least they got someone of hispanic decent (JLo) to play Selena. But Anjaayla, I just purchased this movie for my mother, its really old all black & white…Its called Green Pastures….Its the first movie I can remember seeing as a chld with an all black cast. It is a story about heaven. Movies like that don’t exist in these times…Dont get me wrong, there are more opportunities these days for people of different nationalities but not many are written, produced, owned, established etc etc by those nationalities. Even stories like Imitation of Life, they shed light on the struggles of Black Americans…..I would love to see more movies like those and mini movies like HBO’s Grand Avenue (American Indians) etc.
WTF? How can you say there is nothing wrong with this! PURE FUCKERY!
who is to say she knows nothing about black culture??? shoot nowadays even the black people dont know about our history & thats real
Jameira Young if they wanted to appreciate African queens. Why not use an actually BLACK AFRICAN QUEEN.. Instead of insulting us by using a white girl who probably knows nothing about black people and our history…
honestly, there is nothing wrong with this… White people are appreciating African queens at there best I don’t find this as an insult. more as a token of appreciation.. You peple are cray cray !
True, There Are LOTS Of White People In Africa! But Have You Seen Any Of Them With A Black Face?? Winniek W. Is Right! If She Wanted To Represent Africa, Then She Should’ve Posed As HERSELF!
Charlize Theron also isn’t painting her skin black….
Tu’Major ForuMinorsz she was painted too black.. she has black face all over her body.. if she wanted to represent white ppl in Africa then she didn’t have to change her skin color….
Charlize Theron is African….she’s white
its white people in Africa assholes!!!!! whats the big deal??????
Note I said ‘art’ with the quotes. I don’t agree with it either. Art is subjective. I just wanted to point out that they got our attention.
WTH! oh Helllllll NO …NEVER I don’t care what they try to do …
Liv De Vesci, u have a point, but the French have an appreciation for black models. They’ve been known for racist tendencies as all areas of the fashion industry but if you were an African American model from the 70s – the early 2000′s and you went to Italy or France, you were almost guaranteed a career, if not in print definitely on Runway. I think if they’d hired an East AFrican model or one of the those tall gorgeous Sudanese girls that are slaying the Parisian and Tokyo runways those French and Spanish readers can still appreciate it. Its art, right?.
Its not art… Its black face…
Smh! It’s a shame what’s REALLY going on these days!
But wait… So it makes it ok for them to use black face because apparently there are models out there that ghetto and over dramatic??? Please… Its inexcusable. And not all models are like that and it is a dumb excuse as to why white models are painted to look black.
Modern day blackface????
Disgraceful.
While I agree with some of the comments here, think about this….how many of yall knew what the hell a ‘Numero’ magazine was before this? Thing is, it’s ‘art’ and it caters to it’s readers who in this case appear to mostly be french and white. Other thing is, it got us talking and it’s making itself relevant somehow. We arguing over it and never even knew what it was last week.
All ya’ll up here talkin’ that “Africa isn’t only black” and blah blah blah need to find seats and have them FAST! Lets cut that BS. They painted homegirl BROWN and put her in clothes that you’d only see in East and West Africa where there are BLACK AND BROWN ppl. They knew what they were doing. THere are tons of black models from countries all over the world that coulda SLAYED this campaign. But instead they hire a barely 16 yr old white girl? Insulting to every blk woman alive.
Lets be clear and educated ourselves here: Africa is a continent and many are not of dark skin or “black” as American were made to believe. When you research the history of Africa, you may truly understand the economic factors behind this photo.
~
@ Mike, and it’s a sad truth. That’s the image that other races have about us. It’s unfortunate
# AnJaayla, I agree!
There are plenty white ppl in Africa because their ancestors came there rob the land and procreate
At first I thought she posed as is “white” then I wouldn’t have a problem because I have a few white friends from Africa. However to play Paint her black is offensive. I’m not even feeling it artistically!!!
the reason black models are no longer higher by magazins or designers it’s because none of us is willing to put up with ghettoness over dramatic bitches and that is the truth
i like it…
People have done this long before Wayne. The media thinks yte is what represents beauty!
NEWSFLASHHH!!!! NOT EVERYBODY IN AFRICA IS BLACK. THERE ARE PLENTY OF WHITE AFRICANS (ESPECIALLY IN SOUTH AFRICA). THIS WHITE GIRL COULD BE AN AFRICAN QUEEN IF SHE WANT TO!!
your point would be valid if they didnt paint homegirl black. ijs
Antonio, get your life together. NEWSFLASH while there may be “white africans”, i doubt they go outside painted black. Lol you’re an idiot, but its okay. There’s hope for you…maybe, okay probably not.
if they wanted to portray a white African woman…why is she spray tanned to look black?! use your common sense!
Stop trying to be right and use context clues. She’s airbrushed BROWN. You know like, uh say, an AFRICAN.
<<<<People that think they have the answer, when in fact…
Do you want to know why people think it’s acceptable? Here’s an example…Look at Lil Wayne. He’s rapping about beating a woman’s p#$$% up like Emmit Teal. How do we expect people to respect our race when their are African Americans that don’t. That’s the reality of it. We need to do better!
I blame Africans. Stop complaining and create our own magazines, agencies and shows!
I am completely offended. This is offensive. “Lets use a white woman to portray an african queen” How is this okay? she’s dressed in black face to me, and I’m deeply offended.
And here, I sacrificed moving over 2,000 miles away from my children to pursue the one thing I’ve known for sure I wanted since age 4…..
Only to see this bullshit. Outraged. And disappointed I am. I’ve only been BLACK & BEAUTIFUL my WHOLE 28years!!! I’ve only been attempting to model (being ripped off by both Barbizon & John Casablancas) since I was 16! Hmmph. That’s ok. I’m here, now. On the Scene. And nothing or no one can stop me now. Shame on the magazine, her agent(s) and whoever else has a hand in this!
On the other hand, I’m NOT surprised. They’ve been casting White women as Cleopatra for as long as I can remember. And anyone with HALF a brain knows that as an EGYPTIAN/AFRICAN Queen-there’s no WAY the real Cleopatra were white.
Wow can’t believe it!!!!! That’s basically blackface. There are so many beautiful African American women worthy of this editorial. Inexcusable!!!
insecure much ?
Category is high chic blackface
The thing is art is art. That is true but, when it comes to portraying an African queen, there is an obligation to the black community. No black woman would be cast to play Queen Elizabeth. Point blank. Not all Africans are black. No one is disputing that but they attempted to make this white girl appear black rather than choose a black model. That is why people are angry and they have a right to be.
she is from north Carolina you guys just so u know not Africa
But charlize Theron is African…albeit SOUTH Africa. She moved to the USA wen she was a child..shes what I consider a true AfricanAmerican..lol @ the irony. But I get ur point with this pic…ill bet a million dollars THAT will be the argument..”..that all Africans aren’t black”.
The fact remains that white people are in Africa because of colonization not because they are indigenous to it. They want us to believe that Africans are white too, so that they can continue their white wash of African culture. Never before has there been an infusion of African culture into different cultures and countries. The model should have been black. She is in WEST AFRICAN clothing not South African since a lot of comments want to say there are white people in Africa. But, let’s remember they are not of African blood or decent but European, Asian, and whatever else. Black is, but to a lot of perverse “artists” believe that white with black face is edgy. Down right disrespectful!!
If you dont believe you’re an african american….then i truely feel sorry for you
I’m white and im scratching my head… where they do that at!?……just WRONG! I think people need to embrace their colors…. white ppl being “bronzed” black people being lightened…. Media – that’s who’s to blame!!!! ….. Making it acceptable! smhx10000
That’s what I get for speaking before reading lol. I don’t see how any magazine editor or publisher would think that was a smart thing to do.
yes white people are in Africa but she isn’t in her normal skin state in this picture portraying an African queen her skin is darkened
U said it right ms.dineva complete deviation to the nation
Sad!
Funky Dineva you wrote dat!!
Ok well that’s just trifling
Yes their are white africans….thats not the problem. If she wasn’t airbrushed BROWN she could have been an african queen. This is bufoonery on all levels!
Gianni, that was going to be my comment. I was wondering if she was representing the black african culture or just the african culture.
People in Africa have many different skin tones. The fact that they decided to paint this girl and make her dark to resemble someone of a darker hue is saddening and insulting. They could have left her alone and still labeled it African Queen, because Africa is a continent, and doesn’t automatically mean that the person has to be Black.
Then its a lil skinny/unattractive white chick at that…disgraceful.
We all know that there are “White” Africans…the issue is that’s she’s “bronzed” and the caption is African Queen.
What a shame. Bring back the 90′s!
take that crap down
huh…………….. lost and confused
There ARE white Africans Funky Dineva… I know you know that, stop messing with the ignorant that doesn’t lol
They do have white people from Africa…. j/s
They want to call our little girls cunts, use terms like insufferable and disgusting to describe our children. Yet, at every turn, they are trying so hard to BE us. As Mr. Paul Mooney says “Everybody wanna be a nigga but nobody wanna BE a nigga”! So, we are to beLIEve there were NO Black models to use for this photo shoot?! I’m so tired of this bullshit.
COMPLETE DEVASTATION TO THE NATION is right, this is fucking ridiculous!!!
the fuck!