Twitter is back at it once again. This time users on the social media platform have their sight on Anna Wintour, and Vogue Magazine after the cover of February’s issue featuring Madam Vice-President Elect Kamala Harris was released. Although some users loved the images, many are outraged, calling out the magazines blatant disrespect after allegedly blindsiding Harris’ team with the selection.
Harris, a Howard University graduate has proudly touted her membership in the storied organization and posed for an alternate cover photo to represent that heritage. Harris is depicted in a black Donald Deal jacket, classic Converse sneakers a string of pearls while standing in front of a smattering of pink and green- the colors of her sorority.
Twitter was swift to condemn the second photo while largely praising the first: Kamala, arms folded in light blue Michael Kors business suit. The magazine was accused from everything from poor taste to outright racism.
Anna Wintour needs to retire if she thought the second photo was Vogue cover worthy. The first photo is powerful and elegant. It’s the Vogue cover Kamala Harris deserved https://t.co/ZVq28u7nKT
— ᴊᴇʟᴀ (@jelevision) January 10, 2021
So my father, grandfather and great-grandfather were photographers. I grew up in my grandfather’s dark room. The Vogue cover is horribly lit, the backdrop lazy and in a color meant to wash out Kamala Harris’s beautiful skin tone. The VP-elect is a gorgeous woman: TIME and ELLE pic.twitter.com/c3ync0a3Qy
— Victoria Brownworth #10Days (@VABVOX) January 10, 2021
Both photos were taken by Tyler Mitchell: a Black photographer who also composed Beyoncé’s shots back in 2018. He shared the photo of Harris in the more formal attire on social media; Harris hasn’t shared either picture.
Vogue rebuffed criticism in a statement delivered to USA Today by Remi Berger, “The team at Vogue loved the images Tyler Mitchell shot and felt the more informal image captured Vice President-elect Harris’s authentic, approachable nature – which we feel is one of the hallmarks of the Biden/Harris administration. To respond to the seriousness of this moment in history, and the role she has to play leading our country forward we’re celebrating both images of her as covers digitally.”
Madam Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris by me for the cover of American Vogue February issuehttps://t.co/IHh3WsjEWD pic.twitter.com/2twTvC4FHp
— Tyler Mitchell (@Tyler_Mitchell_) January 10, 2021
In the interview with the outlet, Harris spoke to the divisions plaguing the American political landscape, “At the risk of oversimplifying it, you don’t meet hate with hate,” You don’t meet one line of division with another line of division. We believe that the vast majority of American people don’t agree with that approach, don’t accept it, and don’t like it.”
She added, “We can agree that we have more in common than what separates us, and agree that it’s not in the best interest of who we are as a nation to have any one group suffer for who they are.”
Reportedly, Harris and her team were unaware that the relaxed look was going to be a part of the shoot leaving many to question the rationale of Vogue Magazine Editor-In-Chief Anna Wintour once again.
3. To be clear, this Vogue cover of Vice President-elect Kamala Harris is real.
— Yashar Ali 🐘 (@yashar) January 10, 2021
It's just that per a source familiar, this is not the cover that was mutually agreed upon. The agreed upon cover had VP-elect Harris in a powder blue suit.
So folks feel blindsided this evening. pic.twitter.com/PRhTBpXzxm
Check out some of the responses from twitter below:
Anna Wintour needs to go. If the only time her team can properly style a black women is when she’s covered in couture then her tenure has ran it course. Look at how Kamala Harris’ Elle cover straight up bodied Vogue. Electric chair! pic.twitter.com/aBVZIho98P
— MVP Harris (@PTA_Daddy) January 10, 2021
The photo on the left is what Vogue agreed to publish as their February cover with @KamalaHarris’ team.
— chris evans (@notcapnamerica) January 10, 2021
Without her knowledge, Anna Wintour switched it out for the photo on the right.
Please make it make sense. pic.twitter.com/cOVRddEUBS
Vice President-elect @KamalaHarris is our February cover star!
— Vogue Magazine (@voguemagazine) January 10, 2021
Making history was the first step. Now Harris has an even more monumental task: to help heal a fractured America—and lead it out of crisis. Read the full profile: https://t.co/W5BQPTH7AU pic.twitter.com/OCFvVqTlOk