Soccer Star Brandi Chastain Sounds Off on Vogue Cover

Modi K., Essex, Vermont — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 23:26:23 GMT

This is an interesting coincidence that we seek out Chastain's viewpoint on this as she was featured in a commercial that raised similiar issues, at least with folks in my immediate sphere. I believe it was her and Kevin Garnett in the commercial where they are playing foosball: She scores and K.G. just stares at her expecting her signature celebration move, the pulling off her shirt. After a pause she goes "what?" He shrugs and they get back to playing. A woman I saw it with said, "Ohh, that's not cool having that black man drooling after her like that." I was like "naaaa, I didn't see it that way, it's just funny." Well somebody might have seen it that way; does that make them wrong? Or someone who's knowledgeable about this country's past?

Soccer Star Brandi Chastain Sounds Off on Vogue Cover

P H F California — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 01:38:40 GMT

There will be a positive and a negative side to this picture we messed everything up when we created profile our big ideas of ethnic backgrounds,race and gender if we were just a human being this world of people will live as one but someone thought it would be boring. now the picture serves as a reminder its not whats on the cover. it is what is in each and every individuals head, thinking can realy be positive or negative. Scary thought. aint it!.

Soccer Star Brandi Chastain Sounds Off on Vogue Cover

Maryann — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 04:56:38 GMT

I see two very fit people, the article is about the best bodies? These are two people that fit that category. I really wish we could (as a nation) get a grip on what is important? This is NOT one of them.

Soccer Star Brandi Chastain Sounds Off on Vogue Cover

Llora Beth Le Fevre, Columbus, OH — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 18:05:43 GMT

I say Bravo Annie Liebovitz! Bravo Le Bron James! Bravo Gisele Bundchen! Bravo Vogue!
Disregard these ignorant morons that have to bring race into your wonderful world of fabulous art.
It's amazing how ridiculous it is, that this photo is being considered a "controversy". Le Bron referred to as "King Kong, Gorilla" what a shame.
Really, are you serious? Who started this "controversy" Rev. Jeremiah Wright? How naive we are, to think this country is ready for a man of color in the White House when you can't even look @ a photo for what it is. Two amazing physical specimens. I'll bet, had you put Wayne "The Rock" in Le Bron's place not a word would have been mentioned - except what an awesome photo. All that should be said is congratulations - and absolutely, no apology to anyone from anyone. It is a fabulous photo. Llora Beth

Soccer Star Brandi Chastain Sounds Off on Vogue Cover

Stephanie, Piscataway, NJ — Fri, 28 Mar 2008 23:41:19 GMT

If you know the history of slavery in this country, and lynching (the murder of mostly black men for frequently falsely alleged rapes of white women), if youhave ever heard about the hypersexual violent savage, the black male rapist, we know that not much thought went into how people of color would feel about this photo.

Did any of you think about why LeBron couldn't wear an Armani suit or why Gisele who is also an athlete (volleyball) didn't have on sports gear? Why he had to invoke an expression of rage and Gisele, fear and excitement? This image reproduces racial stereotypes that have led to the murders of thousands of African American men in this country and abroad (during WWII).

It is not as simple as merely "getting a grip" or being naive. It would be naive of us to think race has nothing to do with the way this photo came to be. One last thing...this month's issue is about bodies, but Vogue is always about fashion. What are learning about fashion by seeing Lebron in street ball warm ups? This tells us nothing about how his body, clearly an "amazing physical specimen" can look just as amazing in a Italian made suit as Gisele does in her green silk dress.

Lebron is the first black man of the three men ever to grace the cover of Vogue and the other two men were "dressed to the nines" as they say. If you've ever paid attention to Lebron off the court, you would know that this image says nothing about his sense of style.

We need to move beyond "moving beyond" issues that continue to plague this nation. Discrimination exists and it affects the lives of people of color everyday. It happens whether you want to see it or not.

Soccer Star Brandi Chastain Sounds Off on Vogue Cover

J David, Grand Rapids, MI — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 12:52:50 GMT

The idea that the cover of Vogue implied anything other than a preview of the article inside, never ocurred to me until someone said something.

Whew! We almost missed the chance to perpetuate a stereotype and avoid controversy. Nicely done!....sheesh

Soccer Star Brandi Chastain Sounds Off on Vogue Cover

Marissa S, Greenville SC — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 12:21:55 GMT

I feel nothing but sorrow for those who see this as anything other than 2 people enjoying their work. It saddens me that this country has become so outrageous as to where no one can just enjoy themselves without somebody else being offended I frequently feel offended that others are offended by simple daily decisions that are NONE of their business. When I looked at this cover, I saw 2 beautiful people having fun...and it should NOT be turned into anything other than that. If more people would mind their own business with the same magnifying glass as the do others, this would be a WONDERFUL world!!!

Soccer Star Brandi Chastain Sounds Off on Vogue Cover

Brad Bosley — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 13:43:39 GMT

When I think of Brandi Chastain, I don't immediately remember the celebration that landed her on the cover, but instead her absolutely perfect penalty kick that preceded it. Girl, boy, machine... No one could have hit it better.

Soccer Star Brandi Chastain Sounds Off on Vogue Cover

C G St. Louis, Missouri — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 17:06:37 GMT

I also did not see what the "controversy" was until someone spoke of it. I asked one of my friends, "what's the big hype"? My initial reaction to the cover was seeing two beautiful strong bodies, the altheticism of both and the pride each are taking in their careers. Instead of making it into a racial issue, can't you see two people, posing TOGETHER, the unity and confidence each of them have, celebrating their strengths? Do we always have to make it a black and white issue????? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder and everyone is entitled to their opinion or perspective but I see only the beauty in this photo cover.

Soccer Star Brandi Chastain Sounds Off on Vogue Cover

Carolyn Phillips, Houston, Texas — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 17:07:23 GMT

Oh Gee, Stephanie - some people view the entire world through race and you're one of them. LeBron is showing off his job and Giselle is showing that even macho girls can be dressed in silk! Everybody knows LeBron has fabulous suits, dresses like a king, and everybody admiress both these people. Sex doesn't enter into it nor does race. So pseudo intellectual!