I came across this quote via Siditty from Elle Magazine.
ELLE:Any woman you can think of who might not be cover worthy, but whom you find attractive?
MM: Not so specifically, but yeah. And I see it more with black women, who get dressed up and they’re wearin’ everything to fit snug, and they’re walking the walk. And you’re like, Man, look at you go! Where did you get that? She might be a larger package, but boy, she sure understands how she’s wrapped. SOURCE
People relax. He meant it as a compliment. The question itself is offensive. I am a sista and I get it. He was trying to say that black women are not seen by magazine editors as cover worthy but HE finds them attractive. Naomi Campbell was just lamenting the racism in the fashion industry in German Vogue:
"You know, the American president may be black, but as a black woman, I am still an exception in this business. I always have to work harder to be treated equally," said she in a very candid interview in the Germany edition of Glamour magazine.
She went on to explain that "In the past, there were more opportunities for black models but the trend towards blond women has again become extreme. In magazines, on the catwalk, I see blond, blue-eyed models everywhere. SOURCE
Vogue Italia released an entire issue with only black models to combat this very idea. It was sold out. Reading is fundamental. Look beyond your knee-jerk response to all thing racial and try a little comprehension.
What say you?
I totally appreciate Matthew’s statement. It is refreshing to know that some (most) men love a Black woman’s curves. I wasn’t offended at all that he recognizes our ability to be fly and gorgeous and eye-catching and self-affirming. I am a Black woman that is not teeny and tiny. I am larger than life in my personality and my size 14 body may be considered plus size in some viewpoints but I know I am wonderfully and fearfully made. It saddens me that even super models like Naomi Campbell are still treated substandardly in the fashion world. All women should find a place there, but unfortunately only certain women are given a platform.
True Myowne:
But I was reading the comments about it and a lot of Black women were up in arms, like How dare he say we are not cover worthy. That’s not what he said at all. That is what magazine editors say when they don’t hire you.