Just read in the NY Times, a Critic's Notebook piece by Cathy Horne, June 19th, 2008, that in the July '08 issue of Italian Vogue, all the models will be black and all the featured articles will be about black women in the arts and entertainment. Unprecedented. What? What? From what I understand and as the article explains, it's hard for black beauties to get a gig on the runways and in print. What blows my mind is that the Editor, Franca Sozzani, and the main photographer, Steven Meisel were both inspired by the American presidential race and particularly Mr. Obama!

Could it be what many have feared? Because of Barack Obama we're going to start having to really look at black people. See beyond the basketball players and hip hop artists. Maybe because of Mr. Obama, people we'll start 'seeing' just how diverse a group of people we are?

In one week, Michelle Obama was on the cover of the NY Times and a co-host on 'The View' That same week, The Obamas were on the cover of US Magazine! Lord, what is going on. Mainstream media finally giving props. Not a football or baggy pants in sight.

Check out the article.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/06/19/fashion/19BLACK.html