By now you may have heard the news — Playboy is shaking things up and featuring Marge Simpson on the magazine’s cover, to commemorate 20 years of The Simpsons. But did you know that the provocative cover was meant to be an homage?
From CNN: “We decided to re-create [it] because it’s one of our most iconic covers,” [Playboy editorial director Jimmy] Jellinek said, “and because Marge’s sexy blue beehive immediately made us think of Darine Stern, whose beautiful, voluminous hairdo was front and center on the October 1971 cover.”
Well, I’ve always been a Simpsons fan — but it’s interesting to know that this cover is meant to be another historic first. The first black Playmate, paid tribute to with the first animated Playmate. What will they think of next?
I LOVE IT!!!
I don’t know Bella,
I’m starting to feel some kind of way…like were under attack lately or something. With the Louis Vuitton fasion show, French Vogue, Chris Rock’s Good Hair, etc. I’m just overloading and hypersensitive.
Writing Addict, I agree with you. We are under attack.
Comparing Darine Stern to any cartoon character, let alone a white cartoon character with a blue beehive, is insensitive and offensive.
I like the way they described Darine’s hair as beautiful and voluminous. Positive words work wonders…
I think this is an actual homage. plus, marge does have afro-like hair qualities. I don’t think Playboy messed up. French vogue…blackface…def messed up. and did anyone hear about the blackface on the Australian show Hey Hey It’s Saturday??? The Jackson Jive??? That was offensive. Harry Connick Jr. walked off the set.
I think Playboy’s positive words just summed up their intentions. 🙂
Playboy has been so played-out these days, that this hardly bothers me. Yes, we are under attack, but we really need to pick our battles wisely.
Do you really think we’re under attack? You honestly think anybody at playboy is concerned about the black female???? Black women are not the market playboy is trying to appeal to. And the market they ARE trying to appeal to isn’t cackling with glee about how they can bring down black women and their self esteem. Nobody is trying to attack black women(in this instance). Not Playboy and certainly not Louis Vuitton. I feel very secure in my belief that we are the last thing on playboy and LV’s mind.
Dee & Others,
I am not saying that Playboy, nor LV actually cares about us as black women. What I am saying is they do not give us respect in the fact that few blacks are representing them in marketing, and even when you see the bags swinging off of the arms of sisters (when they’re real) everywhere. Also, again the thing is we are under attack. They see black women being self assured, feeling good about themselves, and it doesn’t sit well with them.
So, this is my own belief not trying to push it off on anyone else. I just see it differently. It doesn’t stop me from sleeping at night. Its merely an observation.
Leaving aside the issue of the objectification of women in certain genres of men’s magazines, I like it!
I think we may be a bit oversensitive to think we must be “under attack” just because a black woman was the iconic model?
I got curious about Darine Stern and learned she passed away from breast cancer at the age of 46. Perhaps we can use this cover as a reminder to perform our breast self-exams and get regular mammograms.
I was not offended by this homage. I’m not a fan of the objectification of women in magazines, though.
I do agree that black women are under attack. We are objectified in music videos/lyrics. Movies like Norbert make us appear to be less than human. When we go missing nobody cares. Some of us are not even safe in our own communities or homes. Even though we (some of us) value ourselves, the things I listed above make it easier for mass media devalue us and mock us.
I’m so glad you posted about this!
Personally, I think this is OBNOXIOUS. WTH– I’ve been waiting for some drunk frat boy to compare me to Sideshow Bob; instead, I get this very close approximation.
i smirked at marge dropping trou but-
is it wrong that i was just so stuck by how gorgeous ms. stern and her hair is that it never even occurred to be to be offended?
and the “beautiful and voluminous” comment did me (and my hair) proud.
marge’s hair (and her sisters’ for that matter) is pretty afro-like…
Why does the afro always have to be such a caricature?
I agree with Writing Addict…however we arent SUDDENLY under attack, it’s just increasing.
Oh and Darine did it better.
I just cant be asked to care about Playboy’s tired self. I dont even begin to understand why they still publish to be honest but this certainly did not offend me or my blackness.
I didnt even know a black woman posed for playboy. I’m not offended. Hell, I think Black women shouldnt even be posing for those magazines.
Can black women stop taking jobs from these mags, so they can stop objectifying others. It will only stop if black women take a stand. Stop taking ridiculous jobs for degrading music videos, men mags and porn.
I don’t like it. Not sure if it is suppose to be offensive or not. Its a stupid way to pay tribute though definitely.