Racism starts with the belief that there are races, and that the skin colour can reduced to nature of a people.

Fashion faux-pas, or underlying racism of post-colonial France?

http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/beyonce-tribal-photos-criticised-2556463.html

http://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-610995.0.html

http://hard2knockshoppe.blogspot.com/2011/02/beyonce-criticized-for-blackface-photo.html

Friday February 25 2011

Beyonce has been criticised after appearing in a photo shoot daubed with brown face paint.

The Crazy In Love singer – who was recently photographed looking fairer than usual – is now under fire for a tribal-inspired look in French publication L’Officiel Paris.

In one picture Beyonce is seen wearing dark make-up and bright stripes on her cheeks, while in others she is photographed in striking headdresses and vibrant African-inspired jewellery and gowns.

The fashion magazine has defended the images, saying the star was “paying homage to African queens” and claiming the make-up was inspired by African rituals where paint was used on the face.

But a number of commentators have attacked the photo shoot.

Writing in the Atlanta Post, Charing Ball said: “What the heck was Beyonce thinking when she decided to do a fashion editorial in blackface?”

She added: “Blackface is not fashion forward or edgy and in my opinion, it is just flat out offensive.”

Press Association

From L’Official:

The Fashion magazine is about to celebrate its 90th birthday. To celebrate this anniversary, the festivities start with the March issue, with Beyoncé on the cover. She agreed to pose for an incredible fashion shoot, with the theme of African Queen, paying a tribute to the legendary Fela Kuti. Far from the glamorous Sasha Fierce, the beauty posed for the magazine with amazing fashion designers clothes, but also in a dress created by her mother. [It is] A return to her African roots, as you can see on the picture, on which her face was voluntarily darkened. All the pictures will be available in the collector edition, on sell at the end of this month.