Black people on the front cover of RW - General running

travis bickle

05/02/2004 at 09:17

can anyone tell me if RW has ever featured a black model/runner on it's front cover?i honestly can't remember.
It's well known in the fashion industry that white models sell more mags eg vogue than black.this has resulted in a racist agenda in that industry.when naomi campbell protested about this she was passed over as a moaner.
why doesn't RW feature black runners for example when most of the best runners are kenyan,ethiopean?i've seen paula, and so we should,but adere,gebre,mutola even mixed race kelly holmes has never been on the cover.

Bouncing Barlist pirate

pirate

05/02/2004 at 09:33

Becasue its a British Mag and most british Runners are white?

Im not saying they shouldn't have black runners on the cover but I dont like this sudo-anti-racist number averaging stuff. In most cases Mag editors are not racist in my opinion.

Positive discrimination in my view is on an equal par with racist - both should be banished to the pits of hell.

A Chimp Writes

05/02/2004 at 09:35

Well at least we could tell the difference between one month's issue and the last.

Which is probably why there'll never be one, Itfar.

Dr Nic Twinks

05/02/2004 at 09:41

For the same reason that most of the cover models are women even though (I suspect) proportionately more of the runners in the UK (and world) are men.

It's what sells the mag. Not what is fair!

A Chimp Writes

05/02/2004 at 09:45

The cover models are always lush in an air-brushed kind of way, unlike runners who are mainly mingers.

Except me of course

:-)

Broadsword Calling Danny Boy

05/02/2004 at 10:11

Not being funny, but I don't think many black people are into running, not in this country anyway.

I can't remember seeing more than three or four over the last two years and I've entered some big events.

Who cares who's on the bleeding cover?

It's a running magazine aiming for its target readership, get over it.

Dr Nic Twinks

05/02/2004 at 10:15

Quite a lot of people care who's on the cover, judging by the amount of threads dedicated to the topic on the RW's own forum!

Rickster

05/02/2004 at 10:19

There was one on the front cover a few months ago.

Broadsword Calling Danny Boy

05/02/2004 at 10:19

They'd put me on the front, but I'm just too goddam horny!

They wouldn't be able to satisfy the demand from sex-crazed Cosmo readers who mistakenly think that they've picked up another saucy "For Women" mag, only to find out that overpronation has nothing to do with wearing out your lady-gadget.

It's true!

bazza

05/02/2004 at 10:19

When was the last time an elite runner of any colour, sex or nationality was featured on the cover of RW? (apart from Paula). I don't think there is a race issue, I would just like to see some 'real' runners on the cover - though as we all know that is highly unlikely to happen.

It migh tbe interesting, however, for RW to write a feature about the low level of non-white runners in this country.

Bouncing Barlist pirate

pirate

05/02/2004 at 10:20

I care.....

Jordan

Bouncing Barlist pirate

pirate

05/02/2004 at 10:22

Cover her in custard and then at least she'd be yellow...

mmmm Custard

The Bobolink

05/02/2004 at 10:39

Tis a pity you had to mention Naomi Campbell because she's far too full of her own self importance. That Kate Moss ain't much better either ! Models who keep photographers waiting for days on end want a good kick up the arse ! When I go professional I'll use unknown models who won't be a hassle and easier to work with.

I'd like to see coloured runners on the cover of RW. Why not a good pic of Mr Singh that 92 year old bloke resplendant in his turban. Would make a great cover pic.
We are a multi racial society and we should try and be all inclusive. If RW's policy is to promote running and by that it has to have a good looking healthy runner on it's cover it might not do them any harm to have a coloured runner on it's cover once in a while. The cover has to stand out from the hundreds there already are on the shelves. To do this takes imagination and sometimes a little courage. Magazines which win awards are usually ones which do something new and push back the boundaries of normality.

Carold

05/02/2004 at 10:48

Find it wierd that no one seems to think it matters about who is on the cover. Those against positive discrimination often argue that they think everything should be equal, but it's not is it? If we all started off on the same footing, maybe we wouldn't need to counter-act this with positive discrimination. But the point is that if we never attempt to do anything to balance inequality out then we'll remain as racist/sexist etc. a society as we ever were.
Why not have a black runner on the front of RW?

travis bickle

05/02/2004 at 10:48

you talk good sense bobo!

travis bickle

05/02/2004 at 10:52

bryan,
"not being funny but not many black people are into running"???? where do you live? iceland?
and what exactly do you want me to "get over?"you obviously think i have a problem with being non white.sorry to disappoint you mate.

bazza

05/02/2004 at 10:54

I certainly would not have a problem with a black person on the cover of RW. The problem RW has, as all publications have, is balancing the degree to which they reflect the hopes and aspirations of their readership with the degree to which they should influence them. Only 8% of the population of Great Britain is non-white and I would guess the percentage of runners who are non-white is under 1%. Therefore, having a black person on the cover is unlikely to attract people to buy the magazine - but perhaps it might promote running among the black community?

Broadsword Calling Danny Boy

05/02/2004 at 10:56

I live in England. I wouldn't mind the sarcasm but it wasn't even humourous.

What's the big deal about what is on the cover of the magazine?

A Chimp Writes

05/02/2004 at 10:59

Who said it was a big deal?

Itfar was simply asking a question.

Broadsword Calling Danny Boy

05/02/2004 at 11:03

OK, put it this way, I don't think it's noteworthy.

He compared RW with fashion magazines and teh analogy seemed to suggest that RW was being racist.

Maybe I misunderstood in which case I apologise.