Celeb Mag For African-American Women

Celeb Mag For African-American Women — Love It or Leave It?

January 27, 2010

The supermarket checkout counter is about to get a little more crowded. Celebrity magazine Juicy will arrive in May, giving us one more thing to flip through while we wait in line. However, the publishers don't really expect all of us to reach for it.

The magazine will specifically target one group of grocery store shoppers: African-American women: "From Jay-Z and Beyonce to what’s up with Rihanna and the Real Housewives of Atlanta, Juicy will cover the latest and greatest in hairstyles and hair products." Mainstream celebrity magazines do feature black stars, but do you still like the idea of this more targeted option?

45 Comments

tarynitup 3 years 16 weeks

Some of you need to put your thinking caps on!!! Before you try to point out how upsetting it would be to black people if a "white" magazine came out, please consider the purpose of magazines and media specifically targeted to black people and other ethnic/cultural groups. In case you didn't know, media for specific cultural/ethnic groups exists not to separate us, but to offer media that acknowledges a group that isn't or is only marginally acknowledged in mainstream media. Just as Rolling Stone magazine doesn't meet the needs of all fans of pop and rock music, Elle and People do not meet the needs of all fans of pop culture and fashion. It is a myth that the demand isn't there for media targeted to Black culture. Black women spend plenty of money on fashion, beauty and media. Do a lil' research that doesn't rely on quotes from those in advertising and marketing! I'm sure you'll be amazed!xoxo

tarynitup 3 years 16 weeks

Yogaforlife 3 years 16 weeks

I don't see any problem with it. I just wish there as less trashy tabloid magazines promoting a culture of celebrity/materialism and more magazines focusing on enrichment, being a good person, and acceptance from within.

Yogaforlife 3 years 16 weeks

CHOOCHOO 3 years 16 weeks

I also was of the opinion that I don't find this offensive or consider it segregation. Black dolls, black makeup, black hair products, etc, all serve a purpose and that is to address a need. I'd be pissed if I wanted a doll and the only dolls available look nothing like me. In that same vein, I'd be pissed if I spent $4 on a hair magazine and they only provided information on four styles for my kind of hair. I am wondering about this 'entitlement' issue, though. What does that even mean?

CHOOCHOO 3 years 16 weeks

Where's the rest of my comment go? That sucks.Anyway, hypno, I asked if that was intentional, because either way, it was funny!

CHOOCHOO 3 years 16 weeks

Where's the rest of my comment go? That sucks. Anyway, hypno, I asked if that was intentional, because either way, it was funny!

CHOOCHOO 3 years 16 weeks

*hypno* - "get hot under the color" <-- That was pretty funny. Unintentional? I don't have a problem with it. I also don't have a problem with black dolls, dark bandaids, black makeup or black hair products. I tell you what, I'd be pretty pissed if I wanted a doll and was forced to have one that looked nothing like me. Likewise, I'd be mad if I spent $4 on a magazine and only three hairstyles were for my kind of hair. If the market is there, great. It's not segregating when you provide something for specific needs. White skin is different than darker skin, for sure (although I didn't realize there was a different texture - - really?), so having dark makeup available isn't racist, right? Same with the hair products. Hair varies from person to person, but between races, it's more pronounced. Addressing that issue isn't segregating. I am curious about this entitlement issue, though. What does that mean?

CHOOCHOO 3 years 16 weeks

PinkNC 3 years 16 weeks

In Touch, US, Ok, and Star magazine are trashy gossip mags. Everyone knows that they're not classy.

boredgourdless 3 years 16 weeks

Where's the "Who cares? It's another mag to flip through in the checkout line" button?

imLissy 3 years 16 weeks

I don't really see anything wrong with it other than I think there should be less of this trashy crap being sold, not more.Who buys these things???

imLissy 3 years 16 weeks

I don't really see anything wrong with it other than I think there should be less of this trashy crap being sold, not more. Who buys these things???

hypnoticmix 3 years 16 weeks

"my only problem is, that if there was a "white" celebrity magazine there'd be a bunch of racist bull coming from everyone who isnt white"True story Anonymous but again IMO that's because most people would focus immediately on race with blinders on and not even consider the cultural angle. There's nothing wrong with a publication for Scandinavian or Persian culture for women either. There are dozens of cultures which make up the Anglo women and if the focus was culture and not race then I don't see a problem with it. I know plenty of Afro Americans would get hot under the color and raise a fuss but again that's just reactionary from the other side.

hypnoticmix 3 years 16 weeks

"my only problem is, that if there was a "white" celebrity magazine there'd be a bunch of racist bull coming from everyone who isnt white" True story Anonymous but again IMO that's because most people would focus immediately on race with blinders on and not even consider the cultural angle. There's nothing wrong with a publication for Scandinavian or Persian culture for women either. There are dozens of cultures which make up the Anglo women and if the focus was culture and not race then I don't see a problem with it. I know plenty of Afro Americans would get hot under the color and raise a fuss but again that's just reactionary from the other side.

3 years 16 weeks

*when i said people, I meant people magazine

3 years 16 weeks

most gossip mags are centered around whites from the celebs they cover to they beauty and hair tips. I see nothing wrong in a magazine that can offer me something that people can't because it chooses not to do so. Gossip mags in general are trashy, but rarely do you ever see anything about women of color unless it is about rihannas new hair cut or beyonces abs. There are more women of color in hollywood besides them ps i am not the same anon as above

HoneyBrown1976 3 years 16 weeks

Really, Anon #21? Considering that most of pop culture, well American anyway, is centered around Whites as though People of color doesn't exist. So, it's to be expected. It's always funny when a maligned group wants/seeks something for their voice to only have the majority and overwhelmingly represented group talk about how wrong it is to segregate. Are they completely oblivious to this fact?

HoneyBrown1976 3 years 16 weeks

3 years 16 weeks

I like the idea, i think its cool. but my only problem is, that if there was a "white" celebrity magazine there'd be a bunch of racist bull coming from everyone who isnt white, and some, like myself, who are. I don't know, stuff segregated for certain races kinda make me uneasy. but i do like the idea. there is just the whole racial issue though.

3 years 16 weeks

There was a lot more in her comments that magazines being mindless, so don't even pretend that's all she wrote because it isn't. And well, I know, from this website, that no matter what I say about what comments are racist, people will just twist it around. I've seen it happen to people with different comments and those with opposing viewpoints all the time.

bellavita214 3 years 16 weeks

Anon... what specifically was racist in what PinkNC wrote about gossip magazines being mindless? They are mindless. And I agree in the wishing that they would go away.

3 years 16 weeks

I have plenty a clue. And no, I don't know you but you rants show what you think of the world. You point out differences. Your RANTS are filled with so many racist undertones it's sad. Oh, and obviously there is a market for trashy magazines, if there wasn't that would have stopped selling a long time ago, just because the oh so refined people that read this website don't, doesn't mean there isn't.

PinkNC 3 years 16 weeks

You don't even know me Anon, so whatever :) You clearly cannot comprehend what most of us are saying here. I will not repeat myself in a loooong manner because the point is pretty clear what we're saying. It's okay for both races to have these types of magazines. Most of the popular trashy tabloids don't give them credit for anything good anyhow. I think a reason why they don't complain is mostly because the magazines are predictable trash with no intellect. Plus, if I'm black then I wouldn't want to be in any trashy tabloid anyway.In short......It's about sharing your own culture, just like *Hypno* said.Get a clue Anon before you post your comment under Anonomous ;)

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