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Leading By Example

Fueled by a desire to change the fashion world's perception of African Americans, Diddy holds an open casting-call for an all-black cast.

Posted 4/9/08
Views 19,776

Comments

BOB (6/18/2008 9:10:22 PM)

I think Mr.Diddys "If I were king" is a prime example of why racism still exist in society today. I am not an expert on fashion or fashion shows, but to make the show strictly about the color of the models takes away the original intention. If Mr Diddys arugment is that in the fashion world African-American models are not being used and that fashion show organizers are biast or racist. If thats the case then why is creating the same concept by having all African-American models. Instead why would he not make a fashion show that incooperates models from all over the world, from every color and origin. The old saying that two wrongs don't make a right is very clear here . If Mr. Diddy feels so strongly about having all black models why doesn't he have an entire black employee base as well? Mr. Diddys employees are from all different backgrounds,all WORKING TOGETHER to achieve the goal of putting on a fashion show. I can't imagine how uncomfortable is must make everyone feel to be forced to make a show strictly about race instead of a FASHION SHOW. It may as well be called The "P-Diddy Black show" Mr. Diddy is a prime example that African-Americans can indeed by very, very successful. The days of restrictions being placed on African-Americans is over and the only ones that still exist are the ones they fabricate. For him to state that people still view African-Americans as "Cotton-Pickers" is nieve and ignorant. I feel that African-Americans constantly pull the card that the "white-mans holding us down" and "im this or that because im black"and those days are over, African-Americans have every opportunity to be successfull. I have never owned a slave but the way African-Americans portray white society I feel like I have owned several of them and that I am indebt to every African-American that feels they were ever discriminated against. Its very easy for an African-American to openly express how they feel but for a white person to do the same your are automatically deemed "racist". I feel that African-Americans need to stop playing the victim and start doing their part as well to end the racism. People like , P-Diddy, Al Sharpton and Reverand Jessie Jackson are very infamous,powerful and wealthy AFRICAN-AMERICANS who instead of contributing to ending racism are only contributing to keeping it going and making it stronger. African-Americans need to let the past be the past and move on with the future and Mr. Diddy has a lot of nerve to act like hes the victim while hes wearings a $50k watch which most black and white people cannot afford. I have lost a tremendous amount of respect for P-Diddy throught this video and I hope others black and white, are smart enough to see through his master plan.

Schaefer925 (6/12/2008 7:42:00 PM)

Another thing is why is he asking for answer's about white people in the line up and won't let the guy explain or give an answer I know he said straight up he wants all blacks but still don't ask for an answer and not let him explain VERY VERY unprofessional and just watching this I threw out my 5 sean johns shirt that cost me about 75-100 bucks each **** p diddy go play your tennis ******! And NO your shirts ain't even good enough to be throw at goodwill I'm throwing these shirts right into the garbage!!!!

Toya (4/30/2008 4:27:03 PM)

And to add to my statement, he is surrounded by all races in this documentary, black, white, asian, hispanic, so how can he be racist? he had other fashion shows with white people, so why crucify him now that he wants to celbrate being black? whats the problem with you?!!!! How many other people think like you... WAKE UP AMERICA!!!!!!!!!!!! WAKE UP!!!!!!!!!!!!

black123 (4/27/2008 1:20:39 AM)

Once again if you have an issue with what the man said you are an idiot and your eyes are closed let's make things clear it is the truth WE ARE KINGS and QUEENS.............BLACK BEAUTY if you think his statements were racist you are an idiot to the tenth power........damn it can WE have something??? Puff put our brothers and sisters on the runway........if you have an issue with what I said go walk into some oncoming traffic

john (4/23/2008 12:19:32 PM)

The way to end racism is not by encouraging the victims sow the seeds that for so long held them down. Racism is a problem for all races and, as is obvious from some of the comments on this site, the white race is not the only race that harbors ill feelings towards another human being because of that person's skin color. Hopefully, at some point in life we are all taught that you never cure a wrong with a wrong. That statement rings especially true when you try to cure one wrongful action with the exact same wrongful action. I found this site while looking for Sean Combs email address and if anyone would like to provide it, I am interested in speaking with him about his comments on the MTV special "If I Were King." During the events leading to his fashion show he made the comments that he did not want any white people in his fashion show because in other fashion shows, the majority of the models are white people. He suggested that this was due to the racism harbored by the designers or at least the casting directors. It is his right to make that decision, although it borders on a violation of equal employment rights. However, the legal aspects are only a background to the true problems that the lack of logic in this statement poses. It is very ineffective for a black fashion designer to say that he wants a "100%" black cast. I am sure that his intentions were to show that black models are every bit as competent as fashion models as white models and he could not be more correct. However, the manner that he chose to further this cause advocates for fashion designers to use models that are the same color themselves. That is a terrible precedent because at this time, most fashion designers are white/European. Logical flaws in an idea or action, especially those attempting to further the social goals of equality, are shown when the idea is examined in the inverse. How infuriating would it have been for Calvin Klein to say to a national television audience that he wanted a "100%" white cast? That would have been racist. However, it was no more racist than Mr. Combs' statements. If Mr. Combs wants to "lead by example," another statement that he made during this production, he should have cast models without regard to skin color and explained this casting decision along the lines that we are all the same, regardless of skin color. This is what I assume he is advocating for, the idea that we are all equal and that racism is an evil that has no place in this world.

angbelle (4/20/2008 11:11:26 AM)

Power to the People!!!

lasherria oliver (4/20/2008 3:07:49 AM)

oh my GOD puff diddy just turns me on!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! in this video he is so handsome . I use to hate this guy but over the years i feel n love with him. KEEP DOIN WHAT UR DOIN PUFF WE LOVE U. YOU ARE A ROLE MODEL!!!!!!!!

WESTCOASTLOVE (4/18/2008 10:25:54 PM)

DAMN I LOVE THIS MAN ~ YES WE DID WE ARE THAAANK U FOR SAYIN IT OUT LOUD FOR THE WORLD TO HEAR WE ARE KINGS AND KINGS PERIOD ! ABSOLUTELY HE DOES INSPIRE SO VERY MANY PEOPLE

classyca1 (4/14/2008 1:57:25 AM)

Thank u Diddy. I am speechless. All I can say is that I was inspired.

Tish (4/12/2008 10:35:06 AM)

looky it's bianca from america's next top model

CDLYNN (4/11/2008 3:10:46 PM)

During the video clip "Leading by Example", I really wanted to get up and start cheering. This frustration Diddy expressed about the stereotypical ideologies on Black beauty is irritating. I am an administrator at a college, and we (all persons of color in administrative/executive positions) are so rare that OUR students do not even know that this is an option for them (to become an administrator/executive-to help the next generation). I let people know this is not the end for me- - -juts the beginning because I plan to become the President at a community college. Most people (white) look at me like I am speaking French or Swahili. These racial stereotypes and barriers must go; they have to go and it starts with US (breaking and busting through them). It can be frustrating, but I tell myself everyday…this is for my ancestors (who could not) and my future (those who know not). 1God1Love

prettygirl90221 (4/10/2008 3:40:10 PM)

Man. Diddy, I see you! I am so inspired. You really now fashion and I love that you give it so raw. Keep it up!

ooscar73 (4/10/2008 2:33:03 PM)

i look up to this man ........ i guest this is how the black people was degraded back in the days and no body say anything

ladyrock5 (4/10/2008 8:40:39 AM)

diddy if no one liked u before they should now..u given voices to people who are not heard! thanx for not forgetting us!

baybie_girl (4/10/2008 7:34:32 AM)

Well done Diddy. Even though there are better looking "brothers" out there, the show he orchestrated was unique- never done before- never seen before. He's right, black is beautiful; just like white and yellow and olive is beautiful too. Hopefully this will inspire other designers to have a more culturally diverse model cast.

Bleekerz (4/10/2008 6:45:48 AM)

do wat u do

cookielyt (4/10/2008 12:39:41 AM)

DIDDY SPEAK UR WORD ITS VERY TRUE WHAT US SAY ABOUT WHAT HAPPENDS IN THE RUNAWAY WITH BLACK MEN AND WOMAN

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