Editor's Quote: "The test of democracy is freedom of criticism". D. Ben-Gurion
Beyonce's Controversial L'Officiel Shoot
Submitted by IQ4News on Fri, 25/02/2011 - 3:05pm
In 2008, L'Oreal was accused of lightening Beyonce's face in their cover shoot, and now another French magazine, and Beyonce herself, have been slammed by critics, this time for darkening her face in an "African-inspred" photoshoot.
In the shoot, Beyonce pays homage to Nigerian artist, Fela Kuti, after watching the popular musical and theatrical perfomance 'Fela!'.
In a statement, the magazine said Beyonce is “far from the glamorous Sasha Fierce, the beauty posed for the magazine with amazing fashion designers clothes, but also in a dress created by her mother. [It is] A return to her African roots, as you can see on the picture, on which her face was voluntarily darkened”.
Most of her critics have come from within the USA, and have been from both white and black critics.
Watch the shoot in the video, and let us know what you think. As an African, are you offended? As a non-African do you think it's racist?
Comments
#1 So unfair
Submitted by Femi (not verified) on Fri, 25/02/2011 - 3:17pm.
I think they are unfairly criticizing Beyonce. The shoot clearly represents her showing a variety of skintones that represent the continent. I think African-American critics just have hang ups whenever it comes to blackened faces because of the history of racism in the country (white actors use to blacken their faces when playing black roles, because black people were not allowed to act). As an African, I am not offended at all. She looks beautiful as always. As a Nigerian, I am proud that she is paying homage to our icon, Fela. Keep it up girl...,if the Americans don't want you, we will have you :)