Dear Vanity Fair


We need to talk. I’m usually pretty excited for your new Hollywood issue ever year because the photo spread is as beautiful as the women. This year, however, I am less than pleased. First let me complain about the obvious, the lack of diversity. There is not a single women of color gracing your pages this year! It’s not like you don’t feature women of color and diversity  in your magazine, the beautiful American Ferrera and Zoe Saldana were in one of your Hollywood issues not too long ago. Furthermore, women of color have been leaving their mark all over the place this year, I will will once again mention Zoe Saldana (Avatar) and of course who could forget the inspirational Gabourey Sidibe in Precious.  Next, I would like to bring to you attention the size of the group of women you have assembled. Can you see them? Look closely or you might miss seeing an arm or two. These young women are bone thing! What kind of message are you trying to portray? In order to be up and coming in Hollywood you need to be thin, fair and (for the most part) blonde? The way these women are portrayed, it looks as if they are in the waiting room of a Cotillion! I understand that this issue is about elegance and fashion, but you can be elegant and fashionable and be a size 12.
As a seventeen year old girl I look at these women and think wow, they really are beautiful. And then I look in the mirror and think “huh …I don’t look like that”. But then it dawned on me, I don’t want to look like that! I’m not going to mold myself to some thin women who sits around and looks dainty all day. I can’t even imagine how black and latino women are feeling right now because you won’t even acknowledge them, let alone tell them how to change.
You may have wooed me with a cover of Meryl Streep, intelligent political articles and that fresh magazine scent. But you and I, Vanity Fair? We’re through.
I expected better from you.
EDITOR’S NOTE: The editors have changed certain terminology in this post to more appropriate language. The OP is being informed and asked to comment on the thread.

Disclaimer: This post was written by a Feministing Community user and does not necessarily reflect the views of any Feministing columnist, editor, or executive director.

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