Vogue in Hot Water for 'Slave Earrings' Ad

By Amrutha Gayathri | August 21 2011 11:40 PM

Fashion magazine Vogue's Italian Edition, which ran a picture ad under the title Slave earrings, is facing heavy criticism from internet community which calls it disgraceful to glamorize slavery, and is demanding an apology from Vogue to black women.

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The ad with alleged racist undertones says that the latest interpretation of Hoop earrings is pure freedom.

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Jewellery has always flirted with circular shapes, especially for use in making earrings. The most classic models are the slave and creole styles in gold hoops. If the name brings to the mind the decorative traditions of the women of color who were brought to the southern Unites States during the slave trade, the latest interpretation is pure freedom. Colored stones, symbolic pendants and multiple spheres. And the evolution goes on, the Vogue ad read.

The ad became a hot topic of debate on Twitter after a fashion blogger wrote about it saying that There is NOTHING humorous, fashionable, chic or stylish about slavery.

Chalk it up to institutionalized racism and a lack of concern for offending anyone of color, oppression, or common sense. SO disgusted VOGUE, and I will consider ending my 15 + year relationship as a faithful subscriber if no apology is issued and this ridiculous article isn't taken down. There is NOTHING humorous, fashionable, chic or stylish about slavery. NOTHING. And no hoop earring, regardless of the price tag will represent freedom or liberation from oppression. Stop it with the racist marketing ploy, unless you want racist consumers as the new demographic, the blogger, Dawnavette wrote.

Twitterverse has resorted to act.ly, a Web site to bring in tweet change where one can sign and tweet a petition to the Italian Vogue.

The petition says Ad agencies are clearly in dire need of consultation by Black Women and Men, as they routinely miss the mark in communicating with consumers. From the Summer's Eve to McDonald's to Vogue, the lack of tact, cultural relevance and basic intelligence is simply appalling.

Petitioners demand an apology from @Vogue_Italia and says, In this latest example by Vogue Magazine, we want the ad removed IMMEDIATELY and we want a specific apology to Black women because Black womens' supposed slave narratives were used in the promulgation of the ad.