FHM 'Racist' Cover Gets Nixed After Readers Complain (PHOTO)

FHM Philippines has decided to axe the cover of its latest issue from shelves after readers complained upon seeing a teaser that it was racist.

The problem? The cover featured a light-skinned model in a pink swimsuit posing while surrounded by darker-skinned models in black bikinis and boasted the tagline, "Stepping Out Of The Shadows."

Oof.

First, there was the social media uproar. ("Seriously, did you guys not sense how racist this concept was?" reads one comment on the mag's Facebook page.) FHM then posted an official statement on their website, saying they're retracting the cover:

On Saturday, February 25, we uploaded the March issue with Bela Padilla on the cover on our Facebook page. Just hours later, a slew of comments on the supposed "racism" of the cover image and cover line flooded the magazine page, prompting the editorial team to re-examine the cover so that we could put into context its execution and assuage the concerns of our readers and non-readers as well who've weighed in on the issue.

We took all the points into consideration and have decided to take the side of sensitivity.

When FHM hits the stands in March it will have a different cover. We deem this to be the most prudent move in the light of the confusion over the previous cover execution.

We apologize and thank those who have raised their points. We apologize to Bela Padilla for any distress this may have caused her. In our pursuit to come up with edgier covers, we will strive to be more sensitive next time.

The new cover will still feature the same actress, Bela Padilla.

Padilla tentatively defended the magazine, saying in an interview with the BBC that you "had to see the article to understand" the cover. She adds that two of the girls in the cover photo were actually of Filipino descent who were painted to look darker.

To read more, click over to MSN, and see the offending cover in question below.

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Comments

[stv1776]

06:14 PM on 03/21/2012

People with high self esteem do not parse every phrase or image looking for an insult. Not everything is about you.

[Mr know]

08:33 PM on 03/20/2012

How come society never cries foul when black people are racist towards white people?

Perfect example is the movie 'How high" total racist garbage.

[Mr know]

08:31 PM on 03/20/2012

Black people are oversensitive and just like to complain.

[Milkylicious]

10:27 PM on 03/14/2012

The problem i have with this photo is the incorrect usage of color..since when were shadows dark brown??? or am i just color blind? if they wanted to depict a women stepping out from "shadows" maybe they should've literally colored them the color "Black" and i also don't seem to under stand why dark skin automatically equals black people last time we all should've checked there are people of all different ethnic backgrounds with dark skin so i also don't see how this would be "racist" to just "black people" we need to start thinking things over before we point fingers and this can be art but they used the wrong colors in my opinion

[delilahpower]

10:26 PM on 03/10/2012

Seriously???

[meokuok2]

04:46 AM on 03/05/2012

IT'S TRUTH! And if you abide by it, it will free your mind. Free your mind and your God-given natural hair will follow. Love yourself, your hair is a part of yourself.

[meokuok2]

03:35 AM on 03/04/2012

LittleRedEngine said:

"Unless you've dealt with "black hair" trust me, you have NO idea. Straightening it is the best option for day to day ease."

WHOOP! THERE IT IS!!! The epitome of black self-hatred and feelings of black inferiority! God gave African people (his first creation) the hair they have and said it was good. And you're complaining that he didn't give you straight hair because "it is the best option for day to day ease." (If you're trying to make it look like other races hair.) When you say your prayers tonight be sure to tell God you don't like the hair he gave you.

[Marie Moltime]

12:35 AM on 03/05/2012

Religious fallacy much? That does not help your argument.

[Justin Mars]

12:51 PM on 03/03/2012

Im suprised nobody has complained about Oreo cookies yet. Thats racist too! Give me a break. If you look for racism everywhere you are going to find it. If you choose to perceive everything as racist, don't you think that you may be the person with the real issues? Im sorry but not everyone is racist. People are so thin skinned and sensitive. Get over yourself. Youre black, youre white, youre red, youre purple, youre green. Who cares? People need to start looking at themselves and others as people and not as a race or color. It's ignorance. I dont want to be labeled as a race. I want to be labeled as a person.

[Basil08]

04:12 PM on 03/06/2012

"Im sorry but not everyone is racist."

I am sorry, but who said that? Stop arguing a strawman.

[Justin Mars]

07:17 PM on 03/06/2012

It was in regards to others that have posted. You would know that if you read some of the other posts. It wasn't to one person in general. It was to everyone in general that makes race a issue on everything. So I was not really arguing a strawman.

[heavensigh]

12:08 AM on 03/10/2012

"People need to start looking at themselves and others as people and not as a race or color. It's ignorance." To take away someone's race/color is taking away part of their identity. We are more than just "people" and just because someone taking notice, pride and love of their skin tone makes you uncomfortable doesn't give you the right to dehumanize them even more by stripping them of their heritage and culture.

[Justin Mars]

12:57 AM on 03/10/2012

So you are saying if i started saying i have white pride you would be okay with that? Or is it only okay to have black pride but not white, yellow or red pride? If I said I had white pride I would be a racist. Right? So why would it be any different for other races. When you look at people as a color instead of a person you are a racist. When someone looks at me I want them to see me as a person. Not my color of skin.

[Lola May]

12:48 PM on 03/03/2012

they are all HOT!

[madcityy]

12:09 PM on 03/03/2012

NO DOG IN THIS FIGHT.....................

[Daniel De Boulet]

11:56 AM on 03/03/2012

I hate it when people tip toe around being black. We have darker skin. Shadows are dark. Why is that such a big deal?

[Curandera]

12:46 PM on 03/03/2012

1. The other girls were not black, but painted black. Are there no black models in the Phillipines? Really?

2. Black skin is beautiful. But they are not shadows that need to be stepped out of to impress.

Colorblind refers to treating all with respect regardless of color. Colorstupid is thinking that color is meaningless.

[Mr know]

08:50 PM on 03/20/2012

Wow you are racist.

[tl89]

11:44 AM on 03/03/2012

What was the point of the cover? Why were the Filipino models painted darker? Why is there a constant attacked against men and women of color? What is going on?????

[guest9]

11:11 AM on 03/03/2012

If you knew anything about Filipino history, you would know Filipinos are mixed with many cultures so to me, this was more a social commentary than a "racist" photo..

[Curandera]

12:48 PM on 03/03/2012

You are missing a step in your argument. Fact 1: Filipinos are from mixed cultures. Conclusion: This photo is more social commentary than "racist."

Um, what? How do you get from Fact 1 to your Conclusion?

[guest9]

07:59 AM on 03/04/2012

My point was this is nothing but social commentary. I understand that to you I am missing a "step in the argument". I did not have time to elaborate since I do in fact have other things to do. I am sorry you took offense. If we can agree that this photo was designed to spark dialogue on race, then it is safe to say we agree...

[MarinaLoves]

11:15 AM on 03/03/2012

so black people arent equal to others? I am not surprised that you feel the way you do about this article you're a racist yourself!

[showoffpoetry]

11:21 AM on 03/03/2012

If black people didn't complain you would be considered black right now. Look at what the system is doing to your people. If your people dont start complaining the republicans will deport all of the Hispanics. You need to know who your friends are and who opened the doors para su gentes.

[Luv2FlyHrd]

12:01 PM on 03/03/2012

Really, "Showoff???" As a male of Hispanic descent, I disagree with you as to the "Republicans" deporting all hispanics. My family entered the United States LEGALLY as did my wife. None of my family has ever been in danger of deportation as they came here LEGALLY!!! Why do you liberals take any opportunity to make this about partisanship ? It makes you sound ill-educated as to current events. This is not a partisan issue and is not racist. I am surprised liberals (who tend to be artistic) can't see this as artwork. You only want what is convenient to you when it suits. This cover was beautiful and contrasted the beauty of darker skinned with lighter skinned people and black bikini's (black being absence of color) with bright pink. It is only those who are overly sensitive that see this as racist. Where is the ACLU screaming freedom of speech/press??? Oh...it's not convenient as liberals need to find things to throw on Republican's. If your entire argument is about who supports illegal immigration, I oppose you. May I remind you who granted amnesty periods to those illegally here? Here's your hint, it was not your friendly neighborhood Democrats. I'm all in favor of LEGAL immigration. This nation was built on immigrants and the only true American's are native American's. How about we all grow up and stop jumping on the great racism bandwagon and recognize are when we see it? ~ A Proud Independant Hispanic-American!!!

[Sirdubalot]

02:25 PM on 03/03/2012

Thats just stupid

[richodg5]

10:33 AM on 03/03/2012

All I see is a bunch of nice looking women.