Sports Illustrated mixes swimsuits and stereotypes

Feb 13

Web Only

Sports Illustrated mixes swimsuits and stereotypes

Sports magazine accused of misogyny and racial stereotyping.

A Sports Illustrated model pictured in China for the magazine's 2013 swimsuit issue. Sports Illustrated/JESSICA GOMES

The 2013 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue has stirred backlash from several popular blogs including Jezebel and Shanghaiist. The photoshoot featured swimsuit-clad models on seven continents, several of which also pictured "locals" in the background.

View the story "Sports Illustrated mixes swimsuits and stereotypes" on StorifySports Illustrated mixes swimsuits and stereotypesStorified by The Stream· Wed, Feb 13 2013 10:32:05The pictures below were shot in China and Namibia, respectively.jezebel.comjezebel.comSports Illustrated has often been criticised for sexualising women but this time, racial stereotyping has been a key critique of online users. Non-Western people are not props. I wouldn't expect a magazine that makes objects out of women to get this. http://jezebel.com/5983737/sports-illustrated-swimsuit-issue-goes-to-7-continents-finds-exotic-people-to-use-as-propsMonica AyhensReally SI? Objectifying women, perpetuating racial stereotypes, & fetishizing other cultures #peoplearenotprops http://jezebel.com/5983737/sports-illustrated-swimsuit-issue-goes-to-7-continents-finds-exotic-people-to-use-as-propsSara BarnesThe picture below shot in Guangxi, China caused a stir on Shanghaiist.shanghaiist.comCHINA • 11 hours ago − As a photographer living in China, I find these images borderline insulting and exploitative. If I wasn't a red-blooded male of the species, I just might find it totally offensive.shanghaiist.comA majority of responses on Jezebel's Facebook page argued that having local populations as backdrops was problematic.And yes the exploitation of black and brown people continue. All to sell a magazine. Seriously who thought of this concept?Alisa ShockleyKate Upton is also posing with penguins, while other models are posing with tribal/rural people from other continents. Because humans from other cultures are zoo animals. DUH.Bhaswati ChattopadhyayI think the thing is hilariously stupid. Who is the target audience? Men who buy Sports Illustrated and prepubescent boys. Neither of which want to see anything but half-naked bikini models. The "human props" are just unneeded. Too funny...Jim Beckert