Howver, my one point I’d like to raise for discussion is the issue with the “black face” shoot that was done by French Vogue. Firstly, having seen (and enjoyed) the shoot, I would hardly call it ‘black face’ since the model’s entire body was evenly painted brown, not just her face painted a stark, contrasting black. Semantics? Perhaps, but perhaps not when we consider the rich French cultural background of theatrical costume, bodypainting and performance art. I do agree with your point that the shoot could have just as easily been done by a black model, but can you not concede that a (perhaps) misguided artistic vision may have seen a white girl in this role rather than a racial issue.

Secondly, your comment “We may be more conscious of color here in America than they are in France, but ignorance is really no excuse when it comes to such long standing matters of racial equality and discrimination.” is an interesting one for a few reasons, but the most prevailing amongst them is the fact that this French Vogue spread was shot by Steven Klein – an American. Now I know that the photographer doesn’t have ALL the power in the world in a situation like this, but surely, if he had felt that the shoot was being conducted in a spirit that was breaching American cultural and ethical standards then why would he not suggest something different?

And let us not forget that racial tolerance and cultural understanding has a long way to go in the US before we go after the French, who have a far less sordid historical AND contemporary track record.