We often present a single example of a cultural pattern. If you’re a member of the relevant culture, that single example might ring true. That is, you might recognize it as one manifestation of something you see “out there” all the time.
But it’s still just one example and it’s not very convincing to someone who is skeptical that the cultural pattern exists, especially if it’s subtle.
But one advantage of this blog is that it’s cumulative. We can put up single manifestations of a cultural pattern and, even if it’s not very convincing at the time, the other evidence on the blog (and the evidence yet to come) may sway some skeptics.
In that spirit, I offer you this screen shot of the front page of the Gap website (borrowed from stuff white people do).
Notice that there is only one black woman included and she is wearing the “curvy” jean. This could be random, but I am going to suggest that it’s not. For more examples of black women’s butts and thighs being fetishized in U.S. culture (that may or may not convince you that this is a pattern) see here, here, here, and here.
—————————
Lisa Wade is a professor of sociology at Occidental College. You can follow her on Twitter and Facebook.
Comments 28
Simone — September 5, 2009
So true!
Also, am I the only one who things these women have essentially identical body types? Bit ironic, that...
Andrew — September 5, 2009
But if she'd been wearing the "Sexy Boot" cut, you could have also referred to examples in your blog of black women being stereotyped as "sexy."
mordicai — September 5, 2009
Andrew-- right, that is why the post appeal to the trend, & links back to other examples.
izzy — September 5, 2009
So... is it racist to say that different ethnic backgrounds have different body shapes? I'm confused.
Also, I tried on these GAP curvy jeans and there's barely any difference between it and the other models. You still have to have slim thighs and narrow hips to fit in ANY of them.
Robin — September 5, 2009
In agreement with Simone- here's a clothing store emphasizing their different fits, ostensibly for different body types, though by the looks of it, all the models are identical (tall, slim).
Jeremy — September 5, 2009
There's also the Old Navy "New Jeans" Mannequin commercial. I can't remember what kind of jeans the black woman is wearing, but they zoom in on her butt and she says something like "supportive, like my man, Wesley." Every time I see it, I wonder what the folks here would say about it (and then I get confused because the commercial makes absolutely no sense!).
Anyway, perehaps there's another piece of evidence for your cultural pattern.
Jeremy
Casey — September 5, 2009
Well I thought it was kind of suspicious but I think there are multiple lineups in this campaign. I saw another Gap line-up like this in a storefront the other day and in the one a black woman was showing off the "skinny" jeans.
R — September 5, 2009
I'm curious about the cultural pattern here.
If we accept that the photo-shoot directer is following cultural patterns, what is the connection between a black male and a boot cut jean?
The commonality between the two photo shoots that I find is interesting is the presence of exactly one black person in the lineup. And no other minorities.
Another (perhaps minor) thing is the hair color. There are only two blonds. Both of them are women. The lighting is shot to make their hair look brown, rather than highlighting their blondness.
All the hair is either short or straight.
Nataly — September 6, 2009
I'd say in an ad representing a variety in jean options, it's grossly problematic that all but one of the women is white, and all of them are incredibly skinny. It's less problematic that the one black woman is wearing the curvy jeans, until you look at their other recent advertising, which has demonstrated that giving them the benefit of the doubt isn't necessary--they're clearly trotting out the stereotypes and racism and this is just another, albeit slightly more subtle, example of the trend.
Nataly — September 6, 2009
And did anyone else notice that the woman with the most butch haircut is labeled "Real Straight"?
LS — September 6, 2009
They also have a version where she is wearing the Long and Lean. FYI.
Bruce — September 7, 2009
Also you may notice if you look at the picture closely that there is also a hispanic/latina woman as well as an asian woman as well as the black woman. The asian woman is wearing the "Perfect Boot" and the latina is wearing the "Long & Lean" so before questioning whether one group is being stereotyped maybe look at all of them, including the white women. Then it might be more possible to identify the intentions of the advertiser.
Korean Sociological Image #18: Sexualizing Caucasian Women « The Grand Narrative — September 13, 2009
[...] earlier this week Lisa at Sociological Images provided an answer, indeed an overall rationale that will inform this [...]
Shirley Kiripatea — September 19, 2010
eww these are hideous as to look at i feel disgusted