Outraged Readers Cancelling SI Subscriptions

[MzDoctaKay]

This sister's blog went out of the way to superbly describe the issue at hand. So I just copied and pasted what she wrote. I take NO credit here:



Outraged Sports Illustrated readers are flooding the SI offices with angry phone calls and emails demanding subscription cancellations. The furor erupted after Sports Illustrated's celebrated annual "Swimsuit Issue" hit the stands with Beyonce on the cover and an inside shot of a smug Kanye West gripping a models derriere.

Angry comments have been posted on this site as well as other blogs and message boards. "Is this the Swimsuit Issue or the Ghetto issue?" read one post. A source inside the SI mail room emailed me to say longtime subscribers are angry. "The calls are nonstop," she wrote. "Some of these guys have been subscribing to Sports Illustrated for years just so they can get the Swimsuit Issue before it hits the stands. This is like blasphemy to most of them who don't know who Beyonce or Kanye are."

A local newspaper reporter who asked not to be identified said, "So many women grew up identifying with the models in the Swimsuit Issue. They don't see themselves in Beyonce. SI has made a mockery of their core demographic with this issue."

So far, SI hasn't commented publicly on the complaints. But insiders say SI is discreetly emailing members of the mainstream media emphasizing the point that the Swimsuit Issue is a "Music Issue". But critics are asking how can it be both? "They should make up their minds," wrote one angry poster on a sports-related board. "Either it's the Swimsuit Issue or the Rap Issue. SI can cancel my subscription!"

By Sandra Rose

[ChanelLover]

^^^ I kind of figured that this would happen. I was actually very surprised they put Kanye and that model in the pics together.

[SKEEphistAKAte]

White people are just mad that a black dude is gripping some white model's butt. If it were Nick Lachey doing the butt fondling then nobody would be offended. Why isn't it the "ghetto issue" when black athletes (many from the ghetto) are gracing the covers of the magazine monthly? Haters.

[shinerbock]

Originally Posted by SKEEphistAKAte

White people are just mad that a black dude is gripping some white model's butt. If it were Nick Lachey doing the butt fondling then nobody would be offended. Why isn't it the "ghetto issue" when black athletes (many from the ghetto) are gracing the covers of the magazine monthly? Haters.

How intelligent.

[pinkies up]

[QUOTE=MzDoctaKay;1400348]This sister's blog went out of the way to superbly describe the issue at hand. So I just copied and pasted what she wrote. I take NO credit here:




I wonder if her back hurt after she tried to push it out to make herself look like she had a butt?

[shinerbock]

[QUOTE=pinkies up;1400437]

Originally Posted by MzDoctaKay

This sister's blog went out of the way to superbly describe the issue at hand. So I just copied and pasted what she wrote. I take NO credit here:




I wonder if her back hurt after she tried to push it out to make herself look like she had a butt?

Well, if she had "a butt" she probably wouldn't have that modeling job, so I don't think she's too jealous.

[lilbay77]

Originally Posted by pinkies up

I wonder if her back hurt after she tried to push it out to make herself look like she had a butt?

LOL

Originally Posted by shinerbock

Well, if she had "a butt" she probably wouldn't have that modeling job, so I don't think she's too jealous.

[ladygreek]

Saying it is also a music issue IS a cop out. And very honestly I don't like the Kanye pic either. Do better, SI.

[RedefinedDiva]

Originally Posted by MzDoctaKay

Angry comments have been posted on this site as well as other blogs and message boards. "Is this the Swimsuit Issue or the Ghetto issue?" read one post.

Originally Posted by SKEEphistAKAte

White people are just mad that a black dude is gripping some white model's butt. If it were Nick Lachey doing the butt fondling then nobody would be offended. Why isn't it the "ghetto issue" when black athletes (many from the ghetto) are gracing the covers of the magazine monthly? Haters.

I can always count on my Soror-twin!

This is like blasphemy to most of them who don't know who Beyonce or Kanye are."

Where have hey been for the past two to five years?

A local newspaper reporter who asked not to be identified said, "So many women grew up identifying with the models in the Swimsuit Issue. They don't see themselves in Beyonce. SI has made a mockery of their core demographic with this issue."

Apparently, this is saying that SI is NOT for "us." I don't know about everyone else, nor can speak for everyone, but I have NEVER identified with anyone in SI. Not even "slim" Tyra when she was on the cover. Maybe I could identify with the fact that she was black... *shrug* So, in other words, forget trying to get new fans. They aren't trying to appeal to any other demographic.

So far, SI hasn't commented publicly on the complaints. But insiders say SI is discreetly emailing members of the mainstream media emphasizing the point that the Swimsuit Issue is a "Music Issue". But critics are asking how can it be both? "They should make up their minds," wrote one angry poster on a sports-related board. "Either it's the Swimsuit Issue or the Rap Issue. SI can cancel my subscription!"

If ONE issue has folks up in arms, let them kick rocks!

[SKEEphistAKAte]

Originally Posted by shinerbock

How intelligent.

How insightful.

[BlessedOne04]

What is funny that no one boycots King, or Maxim or any other mag with offensive images of women. what makes this different?

[mulattogyrl]

Originally Posted by RedefinedDiva

Apparently, this is saying that SI is NOT for "us." I don't know about everyone else, nor can speak for everyone, but I have NEVER identified with anyone in SI.

Me neither.

[DSTCHAOS]

Originally Posted by ladygreek

I don't like the Kanye pic either.

Neither do I.

[jon1856]

Does anyone else find it rather odd and/or interesting that the only place this matter has been brought up is here with the OP's unlinked, copied report?

I have neither heard or seen anything about this anywhere else.

Have to start to wonder if this is the start of another UL.

[SKEEphistAKAte]

Originally Posted by BlessedOne04

What is funny that no one boycots King, or Maxim or any other mag with offensive images of women. what makes this different?

This is different because a BLACK man is gripping a WHITE woman's butt with a "smug" look on his face.