VOGUE - Controversy sparked by new cover? Give me a break.

So... this is the new April cover of Vogue. Different? Yes. In fact my first thought is - for a very popular and well respected high fashion magazine, this cover does not necessarily reflect the contents of the magazine. But that was all.

This month's Vogue cover features Lebron James, an NBA superstar of the Cleveland Cavaliers (who is the first black man to ever grace the cover of Vogue) and Gisele Bunchen, the famous Brazilian and ex-Victoria Secret model. Lebron is photographed in a hunched over pose, with one hand dribbling the ball, his mouth open, with, if anyone watches basketball, his game face on, and holding Gisele's waist with his other hand. Gisele is photographed looking beautiful, graceful, and with a big smile on her face.

This is indeed a rather different and an unusual cover choice for Vogue, but their is no way that this cover should spark the type of controversy re racial stereotyping that it has. Some of the public seem to think that James is photographed ironically similar to a King Kong like pose, looking fierce with his mouth open, and grabbing Bunchen's tiny waist with his other hand. They believe that this cover alludes James (a black man) to a gorilla (King Kong) and Bunchen to the unattainable white woman (Fay Wray).

I think it is absurd that anyone would assume King Kong to represent a black man and a black furious man at that. King Kong is merely an animal with black fur. How is that a representation of a human being? Just because James is crouched in a dribble position with his arms out on either side he resembles King Kong? That's ridiculous. As many have also pointed out Fay Wray looks petrified when being held by King Kong, and Bunchen in the case of this cover, beams a big smile and looks far from terrified.

There is no denial that James is a big, black, muscular, and very masculine athlete and Bunchen is a sexy, gorgeous, and feminine model. They are both polar opposites of each other, career wise and physically, but there is no racist under pinning in this photograph. Unless you are digging for racist implications, really, they are both a representation of two very successful individuals in their respective careers, which was the intended purpose of this cover and Vogue.

This is the 21st century, this is also the first time in Vogue history that a black man, in this case, James, has graced the cover. People should embrace this and not use it as an opportunity to back track society. Granted this may not be the best choice for the cover of a high fashion magazine, as it is not very "Vogue-ish" , but it definitely isn't a product with the purpose of racist remarks.

Take a look at some other shots that were options for the cover.