Kamala Harris' Vogue cover sparks criticism over lighting as internet says VP-elect is 'whitewashed'

Kamala Harris has made history in becoming the first woman of color of both Black and Asian-American descent to be vice president to Joe Biden. Harris’ historic feat lands her on the cover of Vogue magazine, but it soon sparked a backlash from netizens on social media.

The publication first tweeted photos of Harris as its cover for its February issue. Two alternate photos of the vice president-elect’s cover image were revealed to the public, but it soon caused a stir among Twitter users due to the lighting on the first image of Harris standing in front of a pink silk drape. One user described the image as a “washed out mess of a cover,” while another user noted that Harris is still lighter-skinned compared to other women of color by Vogue committed a mishap with regards to Harris’ skin tone on the cover. Wajahat Ali, a New York Times contributor, also criticized the cover as well as the publication’s editor-in-chief Anna Wintour for not knowing how to photograph women of color.

This is not the first time Vogue has gotten caught in controversy regarding a whitewashing issue. It’s August 2020 cover, featuring Simone Biles, was also criticized. One criticism was made by New York Times national picture editor Morrigan McCarthy, who cited that Vogue “couldn’t be bothered to hire a Black photographer.” Wintour apologized to her staff members last year for the mistakes made by the publication in publishing photos and written pieces that are viewed as insensitive to minorities.

Vogue denied assertions of lightening Harris’ skin tone during the photoshoot. However, many were still not pleased with the end result that was ultimately chosen for the cover.

The US now faces a blue wave due to the upset victories made by Democratic candidates Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock during the Georgia runoffs last week. With the Senate now evenly split between the two parties, Harris, being the vice president-elect and president of the Senate, now also serves as the tie-breaker. Harris would then effectively give Democrats control of the Senate as the party already has a hold on the House and the White House. She would now have an even more prominent role in voting over legislation and confirming Cabinet members, judges, and furthering the Biden administration’s agenda.