First there was the dust-up over how to pronounce her name. Now, here’s a brouhaha over how she is presented on the cover of Vogue Magazine.
And so it goes as California’s Kamala Harris — the woman who may well be our next president of the United States — steps into the national spotlight.
The current controversy comes after Vogue Magazine featured Harris on its cover in a relaxed pose, wearing a blazer, jeans and sneakers. That shot, critics said, diminished her seriousness and stature as vice president. And, it might be racist, some critics said, because it looks like the color of her skin was manipulated to look lighter. (Vogue denies this.)
Anyways, after taking heat, Vogue announced that it will publish a limited number of magazines with the second photo. By the way, both photos were shot by Tyler Mitchell, a black photographer at Vogue.
The new photo is a more formal portrait. Harris is wearing a light blue Michael Kors pantsuit.
Now, I must tell you, I wouldn’t know a Michael Kors pantsuit from any other pantsuit in the pantsuit world. I thought both Vogue pictures were fine, but not particularly artistic. Tyler Mitchell is no Annie Leibovitz, but who is?
But, I asked my life partner about it, showing her the two pictures without any explanation. She said “definitely” the more formal shot was the better shot. Said she: “She’s the vice president for the United States.”
Here are the two pictures. You be the judge.
The two covers of Kamala Harris on Vogue this month. One might be racist, critics say.
MUTT MAKES IT TO THE TOP
I wish the inmates at the Marin Humane Society all the best in getting adopted to a good family, just like Major Biden.
Major entered the White House last Wednesday. He’s the first shelter dog to live in the White House. Major is a German shepherd from the Delaware Humane Association.
We “own” two mutts ourselves. Both shelter dogs. Gidget and Nelson have been wonderful companions. If you’re looking for a pet, why not give the local shelter a try.
LIKE A GOOD NEIGHBOR
Sometimes even I am surprised by the stuff police in Marin get called to do. Take the item in last week’s “Marin 911” column in which a Mill Valley person spied her neighbor holding an in-person child’s birthday party. The “good neighbor” flagged down a cop passing by and told them about the illegal party. Police, then, had to go to the door, with the “good neighbor” watching, and remind the parents about Marin’s mask rules.
Happy birthday. Thanks, neighbor.
ONE MORE THING
— 80 beers minus your age plus 40 dollars give you the year you were born.
And with that tidbit of wisdom, I’ll pick up my knitting and let myself out. See you next week. Hope you get your vaccination soon. In the meanwhile, be patient. Be safe. Wear a mask.
(Sherman R. Frederick is the founder of Battle Born Media, a newspaper company dedicated to the preservation of local community newspapers. You can follow him on Facebook at facebook.com/sherm.frederick/. He may be reached at shermfrederick@gmail.com.)
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