ok, so every once in a while, something sets me off and i dust off my soap box and let my voice be heard.  recently a ‘parents magazine’ set up shop right here in my hometown and started sending complimentary subscriptions to whomever fell on their demographic list, myself being included.  after receiving the first issue, i knew it would be nothing to waste my precious time or money on since it offered absolutely no differentiators that would set it self apart from other more well-established national magazines.  but what DID catch my eye was the fact that after receiving my third complimentary issue, i realized that this magazine was almost COMPLETELY DEVOID OF ANY SIGNS OF DIVERSITY.  not even a murmur.  just page after page of blond-haired white models.  now don’t get me wrong, i have no problem with white people, or models – or blond hair! – what i do have a problem with is the MAGAZINE and its publisher who actually thinks this is acceptable in this day and age.  so out came my soapbox, and with it i fired off the below email to the publisher:

Please promptly remove me from your complimentary subscription to <XXXXX> magazine.  To date, I have now received 3-4 free subscriptions all of which are completely devoid of any diversity in its advertisements or feature photography.  For 3+ issues, I have seen nothing but page after page of blond-haired (with the occasional brunette), fair skinned, white models in your advertisements and feature photography.  In fact, the ONLY hint of diversity in your entire magazine was an ad of an ‘impoverished/needy minority child (image) in need of foster parents’ (September Issue, Page 50).  This is unacceptable and frankly incomprehensible.

As irony would have it, on the SAME day your magazine arrived, I also received Tiffany & Co’s Fall catalog.
Throughout their short, 9-page look book, seven models were shown, all representing a different ethic group.  In fact, every magazine or advertisement i receive, whether it is print, television, or online, shows diverse representation and global appeal with its selected models and imagery.  Except for <XXXXX>.

Arizona has a rich history of diversity and culture and has grown to become a melting pot of all cultures and ethnic groups.  It is a shame your magazine or website does not acknowledge this in the slightest.

but wait, it gets better…within two short hours of hitting the ‘send’ button on my computer, the publisher responded to my letter admitting that “Our September issue was lacking on ethnic diversity.” , and then proceeded to point out a couple of pages in issues 1-2 where i must have missed the diversity… maybe i blinked or perhaps it was because the ethnic models selected looked white.

here are a few more ‘interesting’ comments the publisher made in ‘defense’:

“we are often limited by resources available when it comes to choosing models…We go for the best models available and it’s rare that there is much choice working within our budget.”

now, your guess is as good as mine here, but what the heck does that mean?!  are white models cheaper to hire than those of color – who knew?!  i use to work in the industry and believe me, there are plenty of models of all ethnic backgrounds trying to build their portfolios by being featured in print. clearly the ‘best models’ in his opinion just happen to also be white.

“I am glad to hear you felt our magazine should be compared with Tiffany and Co….Quite an accomplishment.”

wow. for ONCE, even i am speechless…

i can go on and on, but i’ll stop here, just as i chose to quit responding to his justifications because some people just don’t get it.

finally, based on the ‘snobbish’ response to my email that i received from the publisher (and believe me, i know SNOBBERY when I see it!), i was going to post the actual name of the magazine… however, i decided to take the high road highway since i don’t want to be the ‘blame’ for this magazine going to tanksville - since it is pretty apparent they are already full-speed ahead on that expressway and will be exiting soon.

in closing, i know i said that i am not here to offer parenting advice to anyone, but i do want to say to all the mamas out there – no matter your race, color, ethnicity or nationality, INSTILL in your precious offspring at a young age to celebrate diversity and embrace change.  don’t teach ‘tolerance’, don’t teach them to be ‘colorblind’ – teach them to appreciate and respect one another – and equally as important – to stand up for themselves and what they believe in.