LeBron, Gisele and Vogue: The Cover Controversy

Posted: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 9:06 AM by Dan Fleschner
Filed Under: Live from Studio 1A

Lebron James on the Cover of Vogue with Gisele Here it is, the controversial Vogue cover featuring NBA star LeBron James and supermodel Gisele Bundchen.

This morning, Peter Alexander reported on the controversy, followed by Ann Curry's interview with CNBC's Donny Deutsch and humorist/TV commentator Nancy Giles. WATCH VIDEO

The cover has caused a lot of chatter, particularly online, over whether the shot (taken by famed photographer Annie Liebovitz) perpetuates racial stereotypes.

Some look at the cover and don't think much of it, that it's an interesting shot of two of the world's most recognizable people.

Others, however, see it as the embodiment of racial and sexual stereotypes, that it's a depiction of an aggressive, black man in a King Kong-like pose, embracing a white woman, a Fay Wray-like "damsel in distress."

Still others say that there were plenty of better photos to choose from to put on the cover.

So what's your take?

And in thinking about this story, I couldn't help but wonder...what's the more racist response to the cover: to see racial stereotypes and object or to not notice race at all?

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Comments

I can not believe that A) People are even suggesting this Vogue cover is a racial issue B) the Today Show spent one second on this so called 'controversy'. Photography is art and I really think the anyone who is considering this offensive, needs to find a hobby.

S. Lacey, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:07 AM)

I don't really care for the picture, but not because of racism. I just think it looks stupid. Just because Leibowitz is an acclaimed photographer doesn't mean I think every one of her pictures is amazing. I don't really understand the purpose of having Giselle there other than to have a woman in the picture. If James had been by himself, how impressed with the picture would you have been? It would have looked like something you see on Sports Illustrated. It must be a slow news week for this to be getting this much attention.

New Mexico (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:08 AM)

I think the cover leaves a lot to be desired. I don't know anything about fashion or it's media (mostly because I don't take them seriously at all), but it seems like they are running out of ideas and this usually means we get crap. I'm sure they had a plethora of pics to choose from, but how many would stir a meaningless controversy like this?

Andrew, Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:11 AM)

typical white people not taking responsibility for what goes on in america. lol The first black man to be on the cover of vogue and he is with a white woman who looks so calm and sweet, where as he looks like a wild man. Wow, what a great picture for the first black man to be on the cover of vogue. White people for whatever reason just cant get over what they did and keep doing to black people overtly.

lorenzo (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:14 AM)

Typical white people Lorenzo? Are you running for office by any chance?

"Maybe it's just me, but aren't most of the people begging for a "new conversation" on race the same folks who shouted "racist!" at anyone who disagreed with them during all the previous conversations?

Why do voluptuaries of racial argy-bargy want yet another such dialogue? For some, it's to avoid actually dealing with unpleasant facts. But for others when they say we need more conversation, they really mean their version of reality should win the day.

Replace "conversation" with "instruction" and you'll have a better sense of where these people are coming from and where they want their "dialogue" to take us."

Jonah, New York, NY (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:20 AM)

You can't change how everyone else feels about anything, if some people choose to believe he looks like "King Kong" then so be it, they have their own voice. Stop worrying about what everyone else is doing and saying and get yourself straight. It's a picture of two people, if you want to buy the magazine, buy it...if you don't, don't!!!!

Leeds, Alabama (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:22 AM)

Speaking as black american; this stupid controversy reinforces an old saying: "The past is always in front of us." I think the Vogue cover is harmless. What if the model was black?

Wm (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:23 AM)

Boy, if it's not one thing to complain about; it's another. I say HURRAY for the cover of Vogue and if people read the small writing on the bottom of the cover, they'd see this issue was about "Shape." Gisele and LeBron definately have beautiful shapes. Doesn't matter if you're white, black, pokadotted....(got the picture?) if you are what a magazine is looking for, then congrats to you. You see, if it was just a white person on the front, some people would say that the people that subscribe to Vogue are racist. Seems like someone's got to complain about something and there are much more needed subjects that we should worry about and talk about and get solved. AMEN!
Sincerely,
Patti Tucker
p.s. the girls in the segment that Matt did "Mistaken Identity" are from our state and we watched the news nightly on what was going on and it truly is a sad story that did come out with some good.

Patti Tucker, Kalamazoo,MI. (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:24 AM)

In response to lorenzo, what exactly are white people doing (other than helping to put the first biracial president in office)? Do you think there are secret meetings being held to determine how to keep the black man down? To me, this is just the media continuing to stir the pot so that people will focus on this cr** instead of on real issues (the economy, the war, gas prices, etc.)

tired (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:31 AM)

When I heard controversy I was leary of my 10 year old daughter watching. I couldn't believe it...an ape?! I would have never thought that if it hadn't been stated. He just looks like a basketball player moving to the hoop and she just looks fabulous as always! I think the cover was fine and I do feel there are African Americans who love to feed off of this and keep it all stirred up. I don't think any typical caucasian person seeing this cover for the first time would ever have thought: "King Kong and Faye Wray!" Give me a break!!!

Susan, Washington, PA (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:33 AM)

This picture was made to be controversial and is. I myself would rather see him with a beautiful black model. This is like I'm a successful black basketball player and now I can get a white woman.
His tatooes make him look like a street gang thug.
This only reminds me of all the white girls I see with half white, half black babies that are on welfare because the black dad is no where to be found.

A. Smith (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:34 AM)

The picture was unfortunate. When a magazine that does not depict black people chooses to use a photo that does indeed enforce stereotypes, it’s a clear indication of the nonchalant, have-a- good-day racism of the people in charge of that magazine. I did not think of the picture as King Kong, but I did think it was typical, savage black man and delicate white woman shot.
I'm sure white people are sick of being called racist, tired of hearing about racism and reminded of its impact in this country since the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. Black people on the other hand, have lived with state sponsored racism and its affects since before the 1660s. Think about it.
Lastly, I am always amused and irritated by people who remain steadfast in their belief that the racial divide will be cured by ignoring it. Comments like 'get over it,' are code for willful ignorance, and that is dangerous. Remember, if you bury your head in the sand, you won't see what's coming up behind you.

Duncan, New Jersey (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:41 AM)

Gosh anything that's said anymore is racist. And it's not white people complaining about this either. It's a cover for Vogue and I don't see the point of complaining and crying over it. I guess certain black people see themselves as apes then because that's more racist if you ask me (comparing Lebron to an ape). I'm not going censor myself because someone is too emotional. I thought people would talk about the fact that Lebron is on the cover but this is just nuts.

Pae, US (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:46 AM)

Yeah, it's a shame people look at him and think race.. How about 2 people who probably are happy about getting a chance to work with the other on the cover of a popular magazine??.. It's 2008 people.. I see 2 successful individuals on the cover of a magazine.. People who make negative comments like that are usually broke

David W (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:47 AM)

He looks like a gorilla? I didn't know gorillas could dribble basketballs.

Lynda, Hartfield, PA (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:48 AM)

"Oh it's just art, oh it's just beauty, oh it's just, just, just"...what people don't understand is that it is not THE OBVIOUS that is the problem. OBVIOUSLY, the picture is a stunning work of art. However, there IS something to be said of why certain artistic choices were made...why the picture that everyone considers beautiful just happens to conjure up a history in the American past in which black men were understood to be beastly, aggressive, deviant especially as that aggression relates to desiring white women. And that was considered art too! No, of course, no one is saying (at least I'm not) that Vogue, the photographers, the photographed are racist...but it just shows how the seeds of racism planted long ago have captured the minds of people even in unexpected, unconcious and yes even artistic ways. When you go back and look at films like King Kong, or Birth of a Nation you may begin to understand why this picture and subtext behind could be considered controversial. It's not about black people trying to always cry racism it is about never forgetting history so that the same mistakes are not made in the future...if a magazine cover causes alarm then yes, someone needs to say so. Just so that we are always insuring a positive, more tolerant, progressive future for everyone. If we all act blindly as if nothing is ever a problem, nothing is ever controversial then we are liable to re-hash mistakes of the past. If it just so happens to be a black person that recognizes what might be offensive why are they criticized for being touchy, or belligerent and not merely observant of something other than what is just obvious to everyone else? It is a truly beautiful thing when we can all appreciate the experience and opinions of people from all different races and accept that what we may love for art, they may fear for subtext.

Traci Reeves, Chicago, IL (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:49 AM)

The only people who see this are racists. For a black woman to say Lebron looks like a gorilla putting her hands at her waist like an ape... She is a racist against her own. Very ugly.

The image is outstanding.... As a 37 yr. old white graphic designer, I see two people who are the top of their profession. Lebron poses in an aggressive basketball stance and Giselle is posing as a beautiful supermodel. "Two superstars at the top of their game." Anyone who sees anything different is looking through racist eyes hoping to see what is not there.

My 5 year old son was getting dressed while the story was airing and asked what is a racist. I had to explain this to my son that the people on your show think the black man looks like a monkey. MY 5 YEAR OLD SON SAID " THAT IS SILLY DADDY, HE LOOKS LIKE A BASKETBALL PLAYER WITH A PRETTY GIRL"

A racist can see racism in anything they look at.

Jay D, Wallkill, NY (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:51 AM)

Enough already.
Race is not the be all end all that people make it out to be. On 1 hand the media's job is to report on facts as they pertain to the world we live in, but on the other hand the media--Fox News in particular-- make it a point to slant the coverage so that almost all stories come back to the race card. Lebron and Gisele are both in the rarified air that Tiger, Jordon, and Gretzky enjoy. Aealm I might mention that doesn't see black and white, they see green for dollars. They are both beyond the realm of normalcy that average people can expect. Holding this magazine cover up as testement to racial malfesance is a farce, and much worse an exercise in futility. As a 30 year old black American, I have been called racial epithets myself and brought into the good ol' boy joke system as the 3rd wheel in countless "Dirty Mexican" jokes. Race should not be the undoing of civility, and neither should common sense be the undoing of the mass media. This is no more racially tinged than any Victoria Secret ad I have ever seen. What of the countless millions of people who neither take time nor give thought to the subtle messages President Bush spews out of his mouth? Messages about global warming, illegal immigration, or America's current economic position within the world......it's these same people who find the time to see fault in this ad, who make the discussions about this ad useless. 2 weeks from now Lebron will still be 'Bron', Giselle will still be a super model and we'll all still be stuck in reccession, and hated throughout the world, but we will have wasted a few days of our lives talking about such things as this.

alex, Cartersville, Georgia (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:53 AM)

As a black person, I am not offended by this at all. I think it's ridiculous that someone would cause up such a stir over this cover. Obviously they were okay with taking the photograph, so it's not really a big deal. I think we as a nation need to stop pulling the race card for EVERYTHING. In response to Shannons comment, "Part of the reason racism still exists is because black people want it to. It gives them a crutch and an excuse to complain. It also provides them with a get out of jail free card to play." Please understand that that only applies to SOME black people, not all. Please do not form an opinion based on the ignorance of SOME people.

Darin McFadden, Annapolis, Maryland (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:54 AM)

This photo is barely noteworthy if not taken by the highly overrated, (Annie Liebovitz). She has taken some fairly decent photo's during her reign, however this is not one of them. It is two people having fun during an otherwise boring photo shoot. Nothing more!! Give me a break! Artistic value?????

William R. Shepherd, Salt Lake City, Utah (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:55 AM)

Has anyone stopped to think that its the people who are still racist at heart that look at that image and say its protraying LeBron in a negative light? Someone blind to race will look at that image and see a model striking a pose and a basketball player acting intense as if in the middle of a game. Only a racist, or at least someone still focusing way to much attention on race will see something more in that image.

Mike, NY (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 11:59 AM)

It's only a cover shoot. Nothing more, nothing less.

Rose (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:01 PM)

I didn't see the arrow in federal expess until someone pointed it out,now that's all I see.Many
people didn't relate the picture in Vogue to King Kong,but now that's all they see.

Ron Kirby (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:03 PM)

I would never have assumed the "King Kong, Gorilla" stereo-type theme here! It's a picture, a suggestive one,but nonetheless a picture. However, Lebron & Giselle posed in other photos together that represent Vogue's classiness, style & elegance - which could've been used on the cover. This photo of Lebron's mouth wide opened was better served inside the Magazine. It's just not a typical Vogue Magazine Photo Cover!So it is weird to see! Had Lebron been by himself - this type of pose would not have been a big controversey. But throw in a White Woman & you have a recipe for disaster! Also remember, the month before the 2007 Oscars were presented - Vogue put Jennifer Hudson on the cover in the exact same "aggressive" POSE! Another young Black person, up & coming, star in her own right who was destined to win the Oscar for her role in DreamGirls. Jennifer Hudson like Lebron is a beautiful African-American who should've looked demure & sophisticated on the Cover - but had more of a "Wild" look to her. The shot was still beautiful but should've been classier.......

Sharon Raine, New York City, NY (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:04 PM)

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and racism is in the eye of the beholder.

When I first saw this picture, I thought nothing of it until the racism drums started up.

One day this nation will evolve into higher thinking individuals; until then, we will have to deal with this type of elementary thinking…

Adam Stevens, Richmond, Virginia (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:04 PM)

People finding negativity in this cover of Vogue have enslaved themselves in a self-created world of experiencing nothing but another race and other people as their enemy or the oppressor of some sorts. We are all one - the same. Period. But people still choose to live without the freedom that's given by knowing that. They are choosing to see stereotypes or whatever negatives they continue to look for. They actually seek this by their own choice. By choosing to remain in this state, they are only enslaving themselves. They could move on to the freedom and world they think they are seeking at any second, but it's their choice to make, not a race's. Racism is a personal choice and in this instance with the people finding negativity in this cover of Vogue, the negativity was sought out and brought upon them by their own choice. It was not placed upon them by anyone else's doing.

J, Oly, WA (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:16 PM)

The problem I see here is that our press perpetuates this type of controversy. It is unfortunate that people have to take a simple picture and put their political spin on it for whatever cause they feel it will help or infuriate. I see a picture of a fine athlete dipicting the core of his athleticism when he has to reach deep into his physical abilities to perform at his best and the opposite a delicate beautiful woman of simple beauty and grace. Its that simple folks, nothing more nothing less. To compare it to King Kong is that persons own racial bias. Not that of the photographer, Vogue, or anyone else. These issues take up way to much of Americas time, we need to quit whining about the little things and look at the bigger picture. It would help by not giving these people press time to which perpetuates the problem.

Greg Birdsall, Roseville, California (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:16 PM)

My only thought on seeing this cover was that it's a good photograph of a basketball player doing what he's famous for (playing a competitive sport aggressively and enthusiastically) and a supermodel doing what she's famous for (looking great in clothes and makeup). I never even thought about the fact that he's black and she's white.
We will never be free from racism unless we free ourselves from it. Individuals must stop defining people by their race, and the media must stop giving racist comments a forum (surely the media can find a real controversy in this world if they try).
I was astounded and appalled that anyone would look at that cover and think "gorilla" or "King Kong". The individuals who make such comparisons are the ones who are perpetuating racist stereotypes.
I don't know whether some individuals are afraid to move past their race-based world view, or if they just enjoy being the focus of controversy. But there are many others who look at a person and see an individual, not a race.

Gigi, New Orleans, Louisiana (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:20 PM)

I don't expect whites to see the stereotype perpetuated in this photo. You don't have to ever think about the black experience in America, and you certainly do not have to live it. This photo epitomizes the tendency to depict black men in quintessential extremes. They are either good Remus or primal proctector, on the one hand, or evil, on the other-- but rarely complex, e.g. Places in the Heart, Fried Green Tomatoes, even modern movies with Morgan Freeman(Dri Miss) and Denzel W. Imagine how V. arrived at the decision to pair him with Giselle.
They needed a counterpoint to the white,delicate, beauty. Aaahhh,yes. The beast. The big,powerful, raging, black man. So overdone. So tired.

A. James Tennessee (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:21 PM)

I am a black man. I know racism when I see it. This is not racism. This is a top basketball player posing with a top model. He looks like he does when he plays basketball. She looks like she does on the runway. To even insinuate King Kong is absurd... I think the real issue is him with a Brazilian woman that is upsetting so many. We have real issues in the world. This isn't one of them. Let's choose our battles wisely.

B.H., Atanta, GA (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:26 PM)

It seems that some of both races seem to plant these negative thoughts into anyone they can to stir up controversy.

I agree that thoughts and comments like this are just causing more dissention among races.

Charles O., Gastonia, NC (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:29 PM)

I'd like to second what someone else said earlier-"the inability to see someone else's side is the heart of racism". I'm a black man. In a vacuum, I don't find anything particularly wrong with the photo. However, since it's been pointed out, I see the King Kong, damsel in distress comparison. My question-why does this photo evoke so much finger pointing? People are entitled to react to this photo however their life experience dictates. As uncomfortable as it may be for some to accept, our country's history of race relations is not resolved. Acting as if they are perpetuates the problem. Open dialogue, such as this format, is part of the solution.

Zach (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:33 PM)

"Black man wanting white woman"?! Gisele Bundchen is only part white. She's from BRAZIL with SOME German heritage tracing back six generations, according to Wikipedia. This photo is beautiful. Stop playing the race card, people. I am bi-racial, by the way.

Grace, Houston, Texas (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:34 PM)

I think this photo is stunning! Catching two gorgeous people in movement and having the ball and her hair in action as well rounds out the shot. To capture the divine moment that symbolizes them both while they interact with eachother is amazing.

Anyone who sees racist images needs to examine themselves and what baggage they are projecting onto a gorgeous photo.

It is truly an instant classic with Anne's aesthetic eye for magic. Hopefully this controversy doesn't steal from it, or at the very least raises the dialogue.

C. A, Bay Area, California (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:34 PM)

I saw this story this a.m. on the Today show. Truly, I have no idea who either of the people are as I am not interested in sports or fashion. The teaser lead-in to the story asked if the photo was racist. I paused the TiVo, examined the photo at length, and it was not until the segment aired that I heard the comparison to King Kong and Fay Wrey.

Really, people! Is that a stretch or what? I could have looked at that photo all day long and NEVER has arrived at that conclusion! To me, it was a photo of a sports star and a fashion model, period.

As long as people keep dragging up the race issue, racism will continue. That's a hint to the Democrats if they have any plans to succeed in November.

Let's get beyond this!

CharlesG, Gaithersburg, MD (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:35 PM)

Notice how almost all the people from the South (and Texas) are dismissing the claims of the cover reinforcing racial stereotypes........ (Which it does, PS)

CG, Washington, DC (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:43 PM)

"Please understand that that only applies to SOME black people, not all. Please do not form an opinion based on the ignorance of SOME people."

Thanks Darin! Generalizing about groups of people is wrong. Some people will see racism everywhere. Others won't. We now have lots of role models for people of all races. We have made strides in this country, like nowhere else. I believe that every group has within it a small group of racists. No one is exempt.

Typical White Guy (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:43 PM)

The only people offended by this are the ones looking for a reason to be.They had to try pretty hard here.Lebron is a well conditioned athlete and it shows.Maybe that made some people have some self esteem issues and this is the only way they can vent.Give me a break with all this racist non-sense if this is this is the best they can come up with.

Scott B. (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:51 PM)

People need to get over it. This is a beautiful photograph of an athlete and a model. It is doing what Vogue wants it to do, call attention to the magazine. I am sure thay had many poses to choose from and this one was the most energetic. People need to get off their PC wagons and get past their own personal bias. It is the 21st century; when are we all going to start getting along as a people? Seems like we will have flying cars long before we have true racial unity and equality.

David Hubbard, Scottsdale, AZ (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:53 PM)

I Honor and respect all people.Why the Action Pose of a Sport Professional is thought to be simiular to the the "Savage on Building Top."If another Professional Athlete was caught in the same view, would it be reminding of the Movie?
Yes this Movie Did Impact Society.

Paul A. Wahl Steubenville,Ohio. (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:53 PM)

RACISM STILL EXISTS AS MUCH AS YOU THINK IT DOESN'T. IT'S FUNNY HOW WHITE PEOPLE THINK IT WAS SO LONG AGO THAT BLACK FOLKS HAVE BEEN GIVEN EQUAL RIGHTS, BUT REMEMBER IT JUST HAPPENED IT THE 60'S. THE COORDINATORS OF THE PHOTOSHOOT MADE IT AN ISSUE WHEN THEY PRODUCED IT TO REPLICATE THE MOVIE KING KONG! IF YOU LOOKED AT THE MOVIE STILL FRAME, YOU'LL SEE IT'S THE SAME COLOR DRESS AND THE SAME POSITION. black peole bring up the issue that white people keep wanting to get away with.

It is ridiculous to me how white people can easily say to a black person to let it go, when racism is previlant. Maybe if the white editor of the magazine had some tack she wouldn't have produced this photoshoot to make an image such as King Kong out of Lebron. Guess this one didn't slip past the black people as I'm sure they thought it would. So if no one realized the issue that it's portraying Lebron as an ape, then it's okay? WOW!!! So if someone portrayed white people as trailer trash and no one realized it, then it's okay too? Or we should portray them as slave drivers and "blond and dumb", but be subtle enough so people can't really notice, and it will be okay. White people want to brush racism under the rug, when it's still clearly an issue here. Ignorance is bliss, isn't it?

Keri Cohen, Los Angeles, CA (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:55 PM)

People who look for racism will find it. Never even entered my mind...LeBron looks like the superstar athlete he is...Giselle looks like the gorgeous supermodel she is...King Kong and Fey Wrey? Yeah - she looks terrified.....Come on people - there is more to worry about than this!

Lou Who, Detroit, MI (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:55 PM)

IN RESPONSE TO SANDIE G SEATTLE WASHINGTON IT IS NOT BLACKS WHO MAKE RACE AN ISSUE IT IS WHITE PEOPLE WHO MAKE RACE AN ISSUE EVERYDAY FOR THE LAST 4 OR 5 CENTRIES WE (BLACKS) ARE ALWAYS LABELED AND HAVE BEEN SINCE I BEEN LIVING (51 YEARS) THE TERM AFRICAN AMERICAN IS A TERM I DISLIKE DUE TO THE FACT I WAS NOT BORN AFRICA I WAS BORN IN AMERICA IT SHOULD BE NATIONALITY NOT SKIN COLOR MY SON IS GERMAN/AMERICAN HE WAS BORN IN GERMANY BUT BECAUSE HE IS BLACK HE IS LABELED THAT. RACE IS THE GROUP FOR PEOPLE (HUMAN RACE) NOT COLOR WE ARE ALL THE SAME, PEOPLE BUT WHITE AMERICA MAKE THE DIFFERENCES NOT BLACK AMERICANS WE ARE JUDGED BY OUR SKIN COLOR INSTEAD OF OUR ABILTIES AND THE FACT THAT WE ARE HUMAN ALSO. THIS THE ONLY COUNTRY IN THE WORLD WHERE SKIN COLOR MATTERS IT IS IGNORANT/AND CRUEL TO THINK THAT WAY,WHITE AMERICA NEED TO CHANGE IN THEIR HEARTS, THOUGHTS, AND THE WAY THEY VIEW OTHER PEOPLE IN THE WORLD. LABRON JAMES IS AN EXCELLANT PLAYER BUT HE IS A KING NOR A GOD SO WE NEED TO STOP PUTTING THESE PEOPLE ON HI PEDSTALS AND ABOVE REPROACH THEY ARE HUMAN BEINGS ALSO. ALL THE SO CALLED CHRISTIANS NEED TO PRACTICE WHAT YOU PREACH AND TREAT EVERYONE THE SAME WE ARE ALL STARS IN THE EYES OF GOD THE CREATOR.

YVETTE DETROIT, MI (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 12:56 PM)

I think the expression on his face could be from pain if she were standing on his foot with a high heel. People "LET IT GO". There is much more important things to be worried about.

ACTerry,Pine Knot, KY (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 1:03 PM)

Nancy Giles sounded hypersensitive to the cover. If every action, picture and words must be filtered through a black sensitivity censor won't we be experiencing another form of racism and prejudice? This is a photo of the bold and the beautiful and nothing else. Haven't atheltes been doing their macho image for years? Why this outcry of racism? Save your outrage for important things like the mortgage crisis and our economic woes. ARH

Almyra Hornberger Sullivan, Maine (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 1:03 PM)

Just a note on LeBron's pose. . .if you look at all of the other photos in this collection, the athletes are being photographed as they are performing their specific sports, Shaun White on a snow board and Michael Phelps under water, just as LeBron is shown dribbling a basketball. While some may see that as stereotypical, a black man with a basketball, or even racist (due to his pose and the look on his face) I see it as nothing more that a photograph to accompany a profile on top athletes. I can perhaps see controversy if this were a profile on LeBron's incredible business sense, but it is not, it is all about his athletic prowess and impressive physique.

Sarah, Indiana (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 1:04 PM)

I think it's easy for white people to say racism exists only because black people want it to because they have never been on the other end of racism. They don't know what it's like to be discriminated against. Or to be constantly be judged by skin color. It does exist, unfortunately. And to SANDIE G. it's ignorant to say "They should be celebrating the fact that LeBron made the cover and is being recognized." Why exactly? It's SAD that it took until 2008 to put a non-white on the cover. That is not a reason to celebrate. GET OVER YOURSELF! Anyway, I think Lebron is just trying to show the passion he has when he plays, I am a huge fan and this is a face I see every night he plays. I think it's a great cover!

JP, Cleveland, Ohio (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 1:04 PM)

To me this is a picture of 2 beautiful famous people who look like they are having fun, not all "posey" like the usual Vogue cover photos. Controversy? I don't get it and I still don't see it. Sorry Debbie Downers.

DB, Austin, TX (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 1:05 PM)

If there's one thing I've learned over the years about racism it's this: If you're always looking for racism you're always going to find it... whether it's there or not. This cover (perhaps I should say this "contoversy") is a picture perfect example of that sad and outdated mentality.

Ken A., Las Vegas, Nevada (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 1:06 PM)

OK lets be real and civilized about this. racism will NEVER die in this country because such ignorance like racism, sexist, classism and other "ISMS" are selling like pancakes here in THIS country. I am a black man and when I see this cover there is nothing racist about it. just the thoughts and misconceptions behind a picture. it's a picture for god sakes!!! this is why we as black get mad at dumb conceptions like this. Everything is considered racist ONLY to racists. Soon as a real situation comes along dealing with racism, and prejudice; it will probably be swept under the rug because of the previous "cry wolf" comments about this magazine cover. USA is the only country that loves the HATE.

Just like Obama and Bill Clinton- Obama is considered not black enough; but Bill is classed as the first black president- Sorry to say but we have morally sodomized ourselves to the piont that now we don't feel right if we are not considered animals, beasts, ignorant, or dumb. Lebron James is not a dumb man and Gisele is NOT the most beautiful woman no matter what you think so chill out people get a grip on reality. I bet if Gisele had sex with Lebron you would probably hate her too for being with him...then what... will she be the most beautiful?

All you holier than thou so called "righteous" black leaders are just wrong for thinking about every little thing is a racial issue. stop it! you are the cause of much distress and YOU are the imbalance of what is and what isn't .....punks! fight and stand up for REAL injustice and stop worrying about a damn picture and what you precieve as this or that- get your facts straight!!!

HuMan, Richmond Va (Sent Wednesday, March 26, 2008 1:08 PM)

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LeBron, Gisele and Vogue: The Cover Controversy

Posted: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 9:06 AM by Dan Fleschner
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LeBron, Gisele and Vogue: The Cover Controversy

Posted: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 9:06 AM by Dan Fleschner Filed Under: Live from Studio 1A

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Posted: Wednesday, March 26, 2008 9:06 AM by Dan Fleschner
Filed Under: Live from Studio 1A