Who would've thought Sir Mix-A-Lot's catchy booty song would make headlines in 2014-beyond Nicki Minaj's "Anaconda," that is? Well, news flash: The Hollywood body officially has redefined itself in music and in print ... at least according to Vogue.
After reading and re-reading the mag's recent article proclaiming "We're Officially in the Era of Big Booty," my reaction is still, "Huh?!!!! Really??" The piece suggests that larger backsides have only now become more accepted, with the rising popularity of celebrities such as Kim Kardashian or Jennifer Lopez. Being told you have a big butt is no longer considered an insult, ladies!
I agree that having a big booty has become a career-enhancing asset for celebs, but are we solely celebrating their bodies or finally acknowledging that real women have curves?
Vogue's timeline is blatantly off, as is the magazine's refusal to directly acknowledge women of color. (Yes, the piece mentions Beyonce, but who wouldn't?) Many cultures found big butts valuable prior to the era of J.Lo, they just weren't cultures that Vogue is accustomed to acknowledging. In general, Vogue continually has left out the black voice and the black image since the beginning. But from tennis star Serena Williams, to the casts of "Real Housewives of Atlanta and "Love & Hip Hop" to Destiny's Child's "Bootylicious" (now a dictionary entry), big booties aren't something to be ignored. And as a fellow who's not very bootylicious myself, nor an ass man, I've been noticing big booties since I was kid-from En Vogue to Chaka Khan, from Amber Rose to Tyra Banks and even Oprah Winfrey.
For decades, Vogue has screamed that one must be a size 0 to look fabulous. It's blatantly clear that this feature immediately sparked criticism for being out of touch with popular culture and ignoring diversity. It perpetuates the idea that curves are trendy, covetable accessories, thereby dismissing women of color whose curves existed long before it was fashionable to have them, and whose bodies have been critiqued throughout history. This may be an attempt by Vogue to come across as a magazine that embraces diversity ... but it's not working.
If moving past the thin ideal means fetishizing body types to the point that they are "en vogue," we've missed a step on the path to body positivity. Having and embracing big butts is not "new" just because they're never on a runway. Maybe Anna Wintour should get started on this big booty regiment in an effort to stay relevant-remember, it's for the readers!
Vogue, big butts were acceptable way before your piece. You're the one who's 2014 years late.
Lenox Magee is a RedEye special contributor.