Vogue Brazil’s Paralympics Photoshoot Is Incredibly Offensive
The Paralympics is an inspiration. Each athlete that takes part is overcoming a disability to compete and show us that with the right attitude, anything is possible.
People such as Tanni Grey-Thompson, who has won 16 Paralympic medals, show their fans across the globe that you can battle against adversity and still be a winner, still be proud of yourself.
That’s why Vogue Brazil’s decision to use able bodied actors in their campaign is so disappointing. Instead of featuring Paralympic athletes, they chose to photoshop Cleo Pires and Paulo Vilhena, actors and Paralympic ambassadors, to appear as though they have disabilities. It came with the caption “we are all Paralympians.”
#SomosTodosParalímpicos: a campanha com @pires_cleo e Paulinho Vilhena https://t.co/05nklRVV25 pic.twitter.com/nbsDSGcFTG
— Vogue Brasil (@VogueBRoficial) August 24, 2016
The campaign is aimed to tie in with the upcoming Paralympics in Rio and increase ticket sales. The shoot was actually based on two Paralympians, Bruna Alexandre and Renato Leite, but for some bizarre reason the athletes were not featured on the main pages.
Pessoal, Venho esclarecer que estou super orgulhosa de fazer parte desta campanha que a revista #Vogue começou a divulgar as primeiras imagens desse lindo trabalho. Nossos Embaixadores Paralímpicos Cleo Pires e Paulo Vilhena, nos ajudaram a intensificar e a propagar a campanha com intuito de gerar visibilidade ao Movimento Paralímpico e convocar a torcida brasileira para marcar presença nos Jogos Paralímpicos Rio 2016. Gostaria, de enfatizar que #SomosTodosIguais e por isso a Cleo Pires me representa. Nos próximos dias, vocês terão acesso completo da campanha. #VemComAGenteBrasil e espero contar com toda a torcida brasileira nas arenas é assim torcendo, vibrando, cantando e comemorando conosco! #CarregoNoPeito o #CoraçãoParalímpico. @cleopires_oficial @vilhenap @ocpboficial
Criticism has been widespread.
#VougeBrazil really needs to withdraw its 'Paralympian' edition, issue an apology for offending people. Then issue a new one!!! #disgusting
— Gill Griffiths (@Gillby) August 27, 2016
The fact that #VogueBrazil didn't use ACTUAL disabled people in their ad is sickening. https://t.co/LrJO9uQSxc
— Olive (@oliveluv63) August 27, 2016
We have no idea what #VogueBrazil were thinking with this offensive, insensitive shoot. https://t.co/lrsMghga1Y pic.twitter.com/VaEuwq1cNz
— Life & Style (@LifeStyleDailyR) August 26, 2016
Vogue Brazil have distanced themselves from the campaign, saying that the idea came from Pires. Speaking to HuffPostUK, they said:
“Vogue respects the opinions of readers who disagreed with the campaign format, but reiterates its commitment to promote the importance of Paralympic games. We will continue to support all of the Paralympic committee initiatives that can increase the number of attendees at the Paralympic games.”
Why not just feature the real people that inspired the campaign?