Publisher’s Weekly is being attacked for a cover that they released this past Monday. I actually thought the cover was absolutely beautiful! I’m actually mad that I didn’t think of it. The photo is called Pickin’ (taken by Lauren Kelley in 1999). It was taken from the book W.W. Norton, Posing Beauty: African American Images from the 1890s to the Present by Deborah Willis.
Several people have voiced that they feel the cover is degrading to black women and they feel that the cover has nothing to do with the actual article, although I can get where they’re coming from. The title is “Afro Picks!” What I take from that is that it simply means their top picks of black books (and its trends) to be discussed. Here was Publisher’s Weekly’s editorial director’s response to the uproar. 
The resulting response to the choice of that particular image and that coverline was not anticipated by the person most closely involved with this week’s cover. That person was me, PW senior news editor, Calvin Reid. I organize, edit, and oversee the annual feature story on black books. I chose the cover in collaboration with the magazine’s creative director and I wrote the coverline, Afro Picks!, which was intended as a pun to highlight a story that “picked” new black titles of interest. The image was reminiscent of the 1970s and appealed to me, someone who grew up in the middle of the 1970s-era wave of black pride, black power and big afros with big afro picks stuck right in the back. To me it is a sweet, tongue-in-cheek funny and striking image of quirky black hair power. And while it never occurred to me that anyone would be offended by these images, I was very wrong and I have to acknowledge that. Quite a few people were offended by it and outraged by what some perceive as a disparaging or degrading image of a black woman. I certainly regret offending anyone and while I still love that image, I intend to think long and hard about whatever image is chosen for next year’s cover.
Kudos to Lauren for taking such a beautiful picture. Lauren, if you’re reading this (which you probably won’t be), you did an awesome job. Publishers Weekly, if you’re reading this (which you probably won’t be), thank you for showcasing this image.
As a black woman who uses an afro pick, often sports her hair in an afro, and is an advocate of natural beauty, I’m letting you know right now: this photo doesn’t offend me. I don’t feel it’s degrading; I feel it’s empowering. It gives me a sense of pride and joy. I’m so happy to see people of various backgrounds showcasing the beauty and power of natural afro hair. If more people would have been more appreciative of it in the first place, natural afro hair wouldn’t be as taboo as it is now.
I also see a trend as to exactly what type of people this is offending when it comes to black people. It seems that many of the natural-haired black women I come across love the photo, while some of those who are ranting about it are relaxed. Is there a reason for this?
A question to Afro Glitz readers: Did you find this photo offensive? Also, if this same cover was published by a black magazine, would you be just as offended?
