
Anybody want to guess what it was about this magazine spread from the October issue of Family Fun that inspired me to write a Letter To The Editor?
Anyone?
Here’s my letter:
To Whom It May Concern,
In the October issue of the “Family Fun” magazine there is a two page spread of Halloween costumes, featuring a male African American child with a “target” design on his chest. This costume and photograph is also featured on your website here: http://jas.familyfun.go.com/crafts?page=CraftDisplay&craftid=12268
When I saw the photo spread in the issue my first response was one of amazement and disgust. The level of editorial insensitivity and stupidity represented in this photo is astounding.
The situation for many African American youth today is fraught with violence — both in stereotypical media cliche as well as in the reality many face due to poverty, inner city crime, and racial discrimination.
Given this, representing an African American young man as a human target is in supremely bad taste, to say the least.
In addition, this country elected an African American president last November, and he has received an unprecedented level of death threats due to his race and cultural background.
I cannot help but wonder if anyone involved in the production of your magazine even considered either of these issues when preparing, photographing, laying out, or proofing the feature. You certainly had ample opportunity to do so.
Regardless as to whether it was ignorance, insensitivity, or oversight, I remain amazed and disgusted.
The October issue came with a note reminding me that it was my last issue. You can be certain that I have no plans to renew.
T.M. Camp
September 28, 2009, 10:26am