US Vogue, April 2008
The cover stars LeBron James and super model Gisele Bündchen and it caused a huge backlash in the US with accusations of racism. People had an oppositional reading of the photograph as they believed it. reinforced stereotypes of ‘aggressive’ black men and ‘helpless’ white women.
LeBron's facial expression is a symbolic code that he is frustrated and quite tense, the use of his wide stance makes him appear to be more powerful and can be seen as intimidating, it even gives off the impression that he is wild and untamed. In contrast, Gisele is presented with a smile and is almost posed as if she is relying on the strength of LeBron to stabilise herself. This creates a binary opposition of strength and power vs weakness and vulnerability. These stereotypes being applied to a black man vs a white woman promotes stereotypical hegemonic ideologies that black men are dangerous, aggressive people who should be dealt with caution and defensiveness. In addition, the body language of Gisele reinforces the patriarchal ideology that women are weak and can only exist with the support of a man. The use of the colour blue on Gisele's silk dress connotes calmness, trustworthiness and peace, this is contrasted by the dark
black of LeBron's basketball uniform, which connotes evilness, fear and authority. The use of these colours sustain the stereotypes that women are reliant on men as they trust them as their authorities, it also reinforces a stereotype of light features, fair skin is more trustworthy than darker features and skin tones.
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