It is Official: Tyra Banks Hates Black Gay Men And Black Women

I can honestly say I will no longer watch America’s Next Top Model. I am disgusted with the hypocrisy, homophobia, double standards, racism, misandry, and sexism of the program. Tyra Banks preaches to young black women to love themselves. How can anyone like Tyra Banks, she is so plastic and fake?

On Tyra’s talk show and ANTM we see Tyra prancing around with her fake contact lenses, and shoulder length weaves.I am not suggesting black women cannot wear weaves or perm their hair. Black women have a right to style their hair anyway they want. I guess for some females they want to try new hairstyles and that’s fair.Nobody wants to wear the same hairstyle all the damn time that’s boring and sometimes change is a good thing. After all, white women and other women of colour wear hair extensions, braids, and weaves too.

However, has anyone ever seen Tyra without her long weave? When have we ever seen girlfriend rock an afro, or twists, or braids? Can you imagine Tyra Banks without her Eurocentric appearance? Tyra has a European appearance with her light skin, contacts, and long weave is the image of blackness Hollywood says is palatable.

Would Tyra be popular with whites and blacks if she actually tried to not look and act so white? Its a fair question. Could it be if Tyra didn’t have her fake weave and rocked an afro the TV ratings would drop? If Tyra had a more Afrocentric appearance would this shock and turn off black and white television viewers and CW Network executives?

In the summer of 2007 a white Glamour Magazine editor made a racist and sexist statement at an industry meeting , she said she didn’t like seeing black women with natural hairstyles. You know black women that don’t wear hair extensions, perms, weaves, and straight hair. The white female executive from Glamour Magazine said braids, twists, and afros are a “no no” in a corporate environment.

Recently, Glamour Magazine had a damage control session in a closed meeting with a group of black women. Glamour Magazine clearly has a very good public relations team because they want the controversy to disappear. However, my dear readers we cannot let the Glamour Magazine episode vanish. We must pay attention to the messages society is transmitting through culture, hair, and language. We are all lectured in some way to conform to the representation of whiteness.

Trya Banks is following the same philosophy she is a pretentious hypocrite. Tyra preaches to young black women about loving themselves yet she embraces and conforms to the image of whiteness. Whiteness is the only representation that sells in the American fashion industry. Black women are encouraged through racist imagery such advertisements, magazines, television, product placements, and black celebrities such as Beyonce Knowles and Tyra Banks to act and look white.

Doesn’t anyone wonder why Tyra always wears the same long blonde or brown weave? Why does Beyonce wear the same blonde lace front wig all the damn time? Whiteness is the only acceptable image on television and the closer black women are to whiteness the more palatable they become. Whiteness is also the global standard of beauty that everyone is judged against. My perspective is that Tyra is actually a very negative influence on young black women. Is it okay for black women to be black on TV? Can black women ever be presented as being nice, intelligent, caring, young women that are not termagants?

I remember when Tyra admonished Danielle during one cycle about her country accent. Tyra’s attitude was disgusting, pernicious, and disgraceful. I understand the fact that Tyra is supposed to give the girls advice. I just have this feeling that Tyra was cognizant of the fact white America was “watching her”.

The great African American scholar W.E.B. Du Bois created the term “double consciousness” and the term was included in his powerful collection of essays called “The Souls Of Black Folk”. Its amazing that Du Bois analogy was created over one hundred years ago and it is still valid and makes perfect sense. Du Bois analogy refers to the fact black people we are conscious that we live in separate spheres. Tyra was criticizing Danielle because America’s Next Top Model is in the public domain on television for the world to watch. Tyra didn’t want a dark skinned black girl with a country accent to “mess up” her product.

Tyra wanted Danielle to not only speak “proper English” she also wanted Danielle to “act white” to not upset the white television audience. Black people we are well aware of the fact the white lens is constantly watching us. Blacks we become “perceptive” of the white gaze and in many ways we have to conform to function in society. Now why couldn’t Danielle speak with her country accent? Was Danielle’s accent really too hard to understand? Or was it because Tyra didn’t want to be reminded of “blackness” and she didn’t want her “brand” to be “tainted” and viewed as “too black”?

Tyra Banks has an image of being “colourless” she’s the light skinned young “colourless” black woman that white North America loves. Tyra’s kind of black but not too black she’s tries her best to be as boring as oatmeal. Tyra’s not political either she’s not really interested in black issues, she chooses to ignore race because she wants to make money.

Tyra is “aware” that the Eurocentric lens was paying close attention to the way she interacts with the black girls. Trya tries too hard to be “hands off” with the black girls she reminds me of Oprah. Tyra has no respect for other black women. Oprah has changed she used to be about black women’s issues but now Oprah is basically a white woman. Oprah is a shrewd business woman she has to be as white as possible in order to obtain white female acceptance. Its a a tricky balance the game Tyra and Oprah are playing they have to “act white” yet also distance themselves from black women’s issues. If you’ve been paying attention to both Tyra and Oprah’s shows they rarely discuss important issues that relates specifically to black women. Both Tyra and Oprah will lie to the public and say they are all about reaching “all women”.

People need to realize Oprah and Tyra’s gimmick is to use the word “all women” they really should just be honest and say they want to reach the “white female demographic.” Audre Lorde wrote in her groundbreaking book “Sister Outsider” there is no “global sisterhood” between white women and black women.

I mean why can’t they just be honest? Oprah and Tyra cannot appear to be “too black”. I mean can you imagine? Its like give me a break please. The only women Oprah and Tyra are interested in reaching are the white middle and upper class women with disposable income. Just be real ladies we undestand its just “business.”

Has anyone ever watched the Oprah show lately? Tyra’s talk show is very similar she’s copying the Oprah blueprint by acting so white. Notice in the audience you see a sea of white faces on both Tyra and Oprah’s television shows. Has anyone ever wondered why? Its all due to market research and “branding” the product. Oprah and Tyra will lie and say that its just a coincidence that so many white women are in the show’s audience. I’m not buying that for a second. Oprah is a shrewd businesswoman and Oprah knows the more white women in the audience the more likely white women will tune in to watch. It just makes practical business sense.

Tyra and Oprah realize their target audience is white women and not black women. Yet the black media consistently present Oprah and Tyra as “groundbreaking” black females when they both conform to the representation of whiteness. Tyra and Oprah will never do anything to “upset” the white female demographic because they want to make as much money as possible off of white women. Oprah and Tyra have to sell products, advertising space, and to continue to generate revenue through the white female demographic. Tyra is never going to “rock the boat” and upset the white girls. Tyra may criticize the white girls but she is never ever cruel to them. The way Tyra bashes and admonishes the black girls I sense Tyra has internalized racism issues. Maybe Tyra hates being black? Maybe the problem is really Tyra?

I think Tyra is just jealous of the black girls because they are more attractive. Maybe Tyra just hates dark skinned black women? After all, does anyone remember the episode of Tyra’s show and Naomi Campbell was on? Tyra acted like a scared kitten. Tyra wasn’t just preaching to Danielle to speak with a so called “proper” American accent. Tyra was screeching at Danielle to conform to white middle class American standards of respectability. Make no mistake Tyra wasn’t just telling Danielle she had to speak “proper” to succeed in modelling. Tyra was letting Danielle know that she was embarrassing her and her “brand” in front of the white American audience. Isn’t being black good enough? Shouldn’t Tyra have told Danielle that blackness is beautiful? Tyra has a clear disgust for any image of blackness. Tyra runs in the opposite direction of anything relating to black culture. Tyra is a termagant, I don’t know how people can stand her? Tyra is hardest on all the black girls because she knows white viewers will complain and say that she’s “favouring” the blacks.

Tyra also has an intense hatred for other black women its so obvious. Tyra has lashed out at Bree, Danielle, and this season Ebony. I can honestly say Bree, Danielle, and Ebony are more beautiful on the inside and out then the so called supermodel Tyra Banks. When Ebony said she didn’t want to be on the program anymore Tyra called Ebony “a quitter”. Tyra was shocked that a contestant actually told her that her TV show was whack. Maybe, just maybe, the reason Ebony wanted to leave the show was because she couldn’t handle being around Tyra Banks since she’s such a mean spirited vindictive person. Ebony actually arrived at her own decision that she didn’t want to be a model. Did you see Ebony run out the room? Girlfriend, ran like the wind to get away from the Medusa Tyra Banks.

Another thing I resent about America’s Next Top Model is the way the show deals with homosexuality. Homosexuality is a freak side show on America’s Next Top Model its a total joke. I remember there was a beautiful lesbian on the program her name was Kim and the lesbophobia on the show was incredible. I recall Jay Manuel telling Kim to be more “feminine” I wanted to smack him.

The part of the program I find most offensive is way the gay men of colour are framed. Gay men of colour on America’s Next Top Model are the “fairy godmothers”. Jay Manuel and Miss Jay sprinkle their “fairy wisdom” on the naive young heterosexual girls on how to be a model. So basically you have two gay black men telling women how to act more “feminine”. Isn’t that kind of sexist and homophobic? Why didn’t Tyra hire female consultants to teach the girls on how to act like a model? Wouldn’t that make more sense? The gay men teaching the girls to twirl and move their hips on the runway may seem like “entertainment” but its actually an abhorrent form of homophobia. I think the reason Jay Manuel and Miss Jay were hired was because they are the humour segment of the show. People are privately laughing in their homes “look at those two black fags.” Let’s be honest and real here we know what people say behind closed doors.

I am disgusted with the stereotypes of gay men of colour because we are so marginalized. Yes, I am cognizant of the fact gay men are involved in the fashion industry. However, not every gay man talks with a lisp, twirls around, and walks with a limp wrist.

A good friend of mine we have a constant joke because I don’t care about fashion. I mean obviously I wear men’s clothing its important for a man to have a positive image of himself . The way a man will dress says a lot about a man’s personality and self image. I just feel like the image of gay black men on television is very negative. The last positive image of a black gay male on mainstream television was Carter on Spin City. I loved Carter because I could identify with him. Carter was definitely gay but he wasn’t a stereotype he wasn’t a queen. Carter dressed in men’s clothing, he liked sports, and he also liked guys.

My friend says I am different in a way compared to some gay men because I have absolutely no interest in fashion. I don’t read fashion magazines to find out the latest trends in men’s fashion. I don’t pluck my eyebrows, I don’t wear makeup, or lipstick, I don’t wear nail polish. I understand that there are drag queens they are an integral part of the queer black family. A lot of drag queens are involved with charity work and other community programs to support the gay black community.

I am not suggesting that black gay men cannot perform in drag if they want to. If this is Miss Jay’s real personality then that’s his personal business. I am only arguing why does this fairy godmother stereotype have to be the only representation of gay black men on television?

I like to wear nice suits, dress pants, tie, or sweater, or blazer if I am going to attend an important event. I don’t watch Fashion Television, sorry Vogue is not a bible it doesn’t interest me. I am not suggesting there aren’t gay men that are not effeminate because there are. I can even be effervescent at times I can admit that. I am not a macho man either but why does Miss Jay and Jay Manuel have to be so feminine?

However, I am aware of the fact people are actually “laughing” at Miss Jay and Jay Manuel they are the circus clowns. Jay Manuel and Miss Jay are the bizarre entertainment while Tyra Banks is ringmaster of the show. Miss Jay and Jay Manuel also have to be “sassy” and make shocking jokes so all the girls will giggle and laugh. Yet the truth for Miss Jay and Jay Manuel the television audience are “laughing at them” not “with them”. People don’t realize Miss Jay and Jay Manuel are caricatures. Perhaps Miss Jay and Jay Manuel are cognizant of this? I guess all those queens care about is cashing their next pay cheque?

I also think there is a subversive element of homophobia to the program. Miss Jay and Jay Manuel are extreme stereotypes of gay men of colour. Its the pathetic, homophobic, racist, and sexist imagery of gay black men that sells. Is it necessary for Miss Jay and Jay Manuel to be such cardboard cut out stereotypes? Miss Jay prances around in women’s makeup, wears women’s clothing, and high heeled shoes. Miss Jay looks like a complete joke.

One argument is that this is just the way Miss Jay true personality. However, in the eyes of the black community and mainstream society people think “all” gay black men act like this. I find the homophobic imagery of Miss Jay sashaying across the catwalk and twirling around a bit unsettling.

The real issue I have with Miss Jay and Jay Manuel is that there is no diversity. I am not just focusing on America’s Top Model my argument is also about television in general. Where are the regular gay black men that I can recognize? Where are the gay black men that wear regular men’s clothing you know like the rest of us? I think this is the reason I miss Noah’s Arc so much. Why isn’t Noah’s Arc on the CW Network? The CW Network is the only TV channel that broadcast black television anyways.

I cannot believe Jay Manuel is a Canadian! Jay Manuel has to be one of the worst exports from Toronto Canada ever he has such a bad negative attitude. Jay Manuel always acts so bitchy and he’s very vindictive and mean spirited. I don’t like the image he presents on television. I don’t know if the writers of America’s Next Top Model tell Jay Manuel to act like this but he’s ugly on the inside and out.

Gay men of colour we are stereotyped as limp wristed sissies that wear women clothing or bitchy queens like Jay Manuel. Sorry, not all gay men of colour act like Miss Jay or Jay Manuel. No I am not a stone cold butch. I am not some S&M daddy but I like to wear baseball caps, I watch sports, I drink beer, and I don’t wear women’s clothing. Where are the gay black men that are not hairdressers, fashion stylists, effeminate photographers, or limp wristed queens? I guess for television rating the CW Network feels the need to marginalize gay men of colour and reduce us to sexist, misandrist, and racist stereotypes.

Jay Manuel I guess is the antidote to Miss Jay, he’s supposed to be the more butch gay man of colour. I just find Jay Manuel to be even more vulgar and worse then Miss Jay. Miss Jay seems to really care about the girls he wants them to succeed. Perhaps this is just a writing device? Maybe its just a gimmick the “hook” to attract an audience to see the next outrageous thing the two gay men will do next?

The reality television writers have to give Jay Manuel and Miss Jay distinctive personalities for the program to attract viewers. I guess for the CW Network they cannot have two gay men of colour that are actually “nice” people. Nice gay men are not entertaining for television. One gay black man has to be the stereotypical fag and the other has to be the annoying bitchy sea hag.

Jay Manuel comes across as a shrew no wonder the girls cry on the show because he’s such a blood thirsty monster. I just think America’s Top Model is such a disservice to black women and gay black men. Why are black women and black gay men stereotyped to the extreme on America’s Next Top Model?

Tyra is the executive producer of the program she has no excuses. Tyra claims she’s involved with the development and production of the show. Tyra and the CW Network will do anything to make money. I guess all Tyra Banks cares about is stereotyping black women as having haughty attitudes, and gay black men we are all limp wristed bitchy queens. The bottom line is America’s Next Top Model is a ratings winner for the CW Network. It appears Tyra has no real love for the black community she doesn’t care about the negative stereotypes, representations, and images that are broadcast. All Tyra Banks cares about is acquiring TV ratings, keeping her show on the air, and raking in more revenue.