Many of you who know me (rich) would not be surprised to find a few copies of GQ or Esquire around my condo. On this month’s cover of GQ is Mr. Dwyane Wade. Bare chested. One of my buddies, DG, sent me a text reminding me of a conversation he and I once had about how photos of black athletes were taken in GQ. In the pictures, the athletes were rarely fully dressed and typically all bare chested to show their physique. The athletes of other races were taken with their clothes on. (See Tom Brady).
The State Of . . . Marketing African-American males has not changed in all these years. America is used to seeing us in very limited circumstances. Seeing black males bare chested with rippling muscles in advertising, only affirms society’s general notion of us-that we are animals. Even though there are many who would love to see Obama or Powell as President, there remain those who still believe we would only be good as running backs and point guards. Howvever, those who think the latter are shrinking. Yet, I wonder when and what will be the tipping point? When will it be more common to think of us as Senators, or white collar professionals, than strong bucks?
Filed under: Race
