To John,

the concept of beauty is subjective. It is wrong to assume that white women have better figures than black women or indeed women of other ethinic origins. Women in general have different figures and they all should be appreciated.

Women are like wine, different colours, tastes, textures, etc and they are all enjoyed based on preference, as men are. I appreciate Naomi's arguements in trying to balance the number of black women in the modelling industry however she does not convinvce me. I'd rather see more young females (and males) from minority ethnic backgrounds being given the opportunity to get decent education, attending university and nowadays making it through their teens without being shot dead on the streets of London.

Eleanora, Middlesex, UK

I can think of a lot of reasons for fighting for racial equality. Being exploited by the fashion industry is NOT one of them! Vogue and other fashion magazines are detrimental to a woman's self esteem because they set up unrealistic standards. This is true regardless of the race. Women would be better of reading materials that develop their character such as the Times or a general interest magazines instead of poring over glossy magazines that make people vain, materialistic or depressed because they don't have the opulent lifestyle that is always portrayed in the pages.

Sabrina, Corvallis, USA Oregon

I am not here to discuss Campbell's anger issues, lol! I don't care; seriously. But my concern is the appaling ignorance of some whites.It screems I don't know jack *shrugs*

most people prefer the simple logic that comes with the skin and the ethnic origin. here are some stats.
- UK 9,5% of black born
-France around 10% of French born blacks
-USA 12,5% of black
that about 62 millions of black born in the biggest western countries right ? so we are a part of those "white countries", and because some of you hate history my family has been here since the 1890s, i have been here longer then the Germans and the poles and they get drive freely in some parts of this country while i can't . so out of 62 millions born blacks there are only 3 super models and our women are cashing in they too need the 10% of the various features represented.

I hate "bean-counting" but i come to a point where i "notice" a a black face it is because of the rarity, i am almost an alien at my own work

moumi, St-Germain En Laye, France

The remark that black women should not have hair extensions is ridiculous. In that case white women should let their hair, undyed, grow into a long tangled mess , wear no makeup and never have cosmetic surgery. All women try to improve upon what they have got!

sarah, Cape Town, South Africa

Beauty is relative. Some societies believe that wearing rings around her neck and stretching it, makes a woman more beautiful. Other people's believe that marking or tatooing the face makes the person more attractive. That does not make either of the views or customs inferior. It simply makes them DIFFERENT. And not being attracted to that difference does not make one a racist (which is not a white 'thing' or a black 'thing', but applicable to all peoples of the world, where they use race to dominate others).

Does disapproving of female genital mtuilation make me a racist? If so, then so be it.

The fact is: many black models have made it to the top, because their beauty and their behaviour has taken then there. Naomi, on the other hand, is hardly a role model any aspiring model should follow; to try to do so would be to fail.

People, of any race or colour, should not use the race card to excuse their failure; enough of their peers have made it.

Rod, Cape Town, South Africa

As an owner of HAUTE COUTURE network. I visit many fashion shows. In 3 years I have only seen 2 sisters as non whites at Harrogate Swimwear show where I could take images of them on the catwalk. They were actually very good models. Most magasines actually go out of there way to have images of non white models, we do anyhow,,lets face it half our readers are probably non white,,and if magasines have different country editions this is certainly the case in syndication of image content

When offered the chance to take images of black models I jump at the chance,,,,they are so rare in the UK. As to Asians, there are only about 5 on the radar Half cast models actually are the norm with many evident on catwalks,,some of my best images are from these girls and chaps I notice youtube fashion is quite mixed I say lets have more darker models As to Naomi Campbell she should retire gracefully, or secure a contract for hair dye and as they say in the trade 'be worth it'

Nicholas Iles, Oswestry, Shropshire

I guess nobody is surprised by this latest fit of pique from Cambell. However it underlines that she is the type of person that sees racism in everything, which only highlights her own prejudices.
I hardly think any commercial enterprise like a leading modelling agency is going to sideline models because of their colour. It is a fiercely competitive environment so any edge they can get through better models I am sure they will pursue.
There is clearly a wide difference of opinion regarding what is beautiful and what is not. This is cultural and genetic, I suppose, as to what we prefer, so to try and play the race card on this one is somewhat ludicrous.
Finally the modelling agencies are dependent on their customers brand and sales strategies including the specific target groups they are trying to reach.
If the majority target group, which is true in Europe, are white women then hey presto it is more likely white models will be chosen to represent the target group. That is not racist!

Richard Kenward, Helsingborg, Sweden

How disappointing Naomi Campbell has decided to play the race card for her demise......I'm sure her lack of work with "glossy magazines" has nothing to do with her inability to treat others with respect and or as her equal, coupled with her continuous interaction with the courts and violent outbursts, I can see Vogue in particular do not realise she makes a thoroughly good role model for the youth of today.

Robert, London, England

I back Campbells decision. Black beauties haven't had as many opportunities as whites, and this fact has given the image that black beauties don't exist.

Not because we don't see something, it doesn't exist. It's time to show it

k.Esther, Madrid, Spain

Am I missing something or is it now wrong to put white models in aspirational magazines aimed at white women? Can you imagine white people complaining that there are no white role models in reggae?

Eric Blair, London,

Naomi Campbell is 37. How many white women of that age grace Vogue's front page?

Pudni Wasti, Southall, UL

If so many people dislike black models, how did this dim bim get to be famous and rich for doing nothing other than standing around and having her picture taken?

Hugh G. Rection, Anytown, USA

This is true; it is unfortunately true I know that first hand as a man. I comeend Naomi on this effort and I hope many other support this civil rights challenge.

John L. Hemphill, Philadelphia, United States

This is another perfect example of yet another spoiled rotten brat thinking that she is more than she REALLY is. She sounds so American in her whining about unfair treatment and black beauty. Perhaps she should start her own African modeling agency and STAY there!

Gene LaLonde, Detroit, Michigan, USA

"Given that white women also have more varied hair and eye colour, facial features and, generally speaking, better figures, it's hardly surprising that they are used more as models. " -John Salked

Give me a break! Seriously! You sir are misguided to say the least! You are the reason why people have such a limited/narrow idea of "beauty".

While Naomi has her issues, she's right on this one.

Kate, Essex,

Naomi Campbell knows as well as everyone else that when you get to middle age nobody wants to see you on the cover of Vogue.
No matter what your race, etc. Naomi is 37 years old for Christ sake that's like way over the age limit.

Kay, Hardy, Arkansas

Reading some of the comments submitted in "HAVE YOUR SAY" one realises and it reaffirms the idea that white models can do or say almost anything and "you" the white media will forgive it. Naomi may be tempremental but that does not exclude her opinions and experiences from being valid. Good on you Naomi, and the "haters" will never change their views on you because it is so easy not to accept the truth and to coat everything you do in hatred and insigificance. A balanced view would not go amiss.

Michael, London,

Naomi Campbell trying to redress the balance for her "black sisters"??? LOL!!!! Pull the other one!! This has to be one of the most hypocritical pieces of nonsense that travelling freakshow has ever come out with. Im sure that Naomi can really identify with all those poor little black people that she sees running round as she helicopters over their villages! At 37 Campbell should be grateful she gets in any magazine as she a geriatric nutcase with serious anger management problems - shes just a has been looking for some last gasp publicity before checking into rehab for good.

phil, london, uk

'The 37-year-old supermodel singled out Vogue, saying that she found it harder and harder to make it on to its coveted front cover.'

I think it's the '37-year-old' thing that's making it hard, rather than the colour.

Josie, Yorkshire, UK

Good luck, Naomi. I really hope she can do something about what is in effect racism but it appears that she is missing the point. Vogue is a magazine mainly bought by white people and they therefore want to see people of their own colour. In fact, most white people would shun a magazine or indeed anything that had a black person as its symbol. I am black myself and I have seen some white people looking through magazines and they quickly flip over pages with black people. By even allowing people like Naomi to be a supermodel, they were simply being what they would describe as PC. If left to their own devices, no black skin would feature in a Vogue at all.
The white folks are the ones with the economic power and the purchasing ability to buy most of what is advertised in Vogue - therefore as far as they are concerned, the models and adverts is being driven towards their target audience - white people. If you want to change anything Naomi, be a good role model, stop the violence!

Liz Cole, London,

Sorry, but if Campbell isn't making it onto the covers of magazines anymore, it has nothing to do with the colour of her skin. Her tendancy to assault people and generally behave like an uneducated savage would be far more of an explanation - would you want a convicted criminal advertising your magazine or product?

Alex, London,

It is a known fact that in many countries the lighter your skin the higher up the social ladder you are, India and Mexico being two examples. Then we have Whites who take great pains to darken their skin with UV rays and get skin cancer in the process..go figure. It is a known fact that the white women will always make the cover of these glamor magazines or "Black" women like Halle Berry who is half White and exhibits a certain look. The Black men too prefer White and light skinned Black women..ask Seal and OJ Simpson what kind of women they prefer. Sorry Naomi but if you White You all right, if you Black get way back. Old adage but sadly true.

Stephen Williams, Martinez, California, USA

John,

There are magazines aimed at black women, primarily because they are ignored by mainstream publications.

Dawn, Manchester,

Miss Campbell: try not being violently abusive to members of your staff and your pleas for social justice might get taken a bit more seriously.

Steve Bourne, London, Uk

White people, would you just please get some psychological help regarding your denial that racism dosen't exsist. Please, just go get some help! Racism exist becasue you created the monster and now you have the nerve to accuse this woman of playing the race card. You created this problem so fix it! And for all of you white folks who don't know the meaning, here, it me be so kind as to give it to you.

1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one's own race is superior and has the right to rule others.

2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination.

3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

Now, does that help some? Another thing, why don't YOU stop playing the race card!

Torsha, Dallas, U.S./TEXAS

It is a fact that there is unrepresentation of African people in magazines -- and not only magazines, but newspapers, media productions, movies, etc. The simple fact is, this comes from not owning the publications.

The Africans who are selected to act as 'models' for their race, are almost invariably lightskinned, and curly-haired. The philosophy seems to be: 'If we can't display a white person, we'll display a person who is mixed or has white features -- somebody who doesn't possess predominant African features. Not the cheekbones. Not the ass. Not the look.'

Some will deny this. They have their reasons. (By the way it is easy to cite an exception in an attempt to detract from the overriding rule.)

On the subject of readership: whites are not a majority in this World. If a publication is marketed internationally, ... you get the point.

Publications demonstrate a racism systematically employed to define beauty with a white measuring stick.

African, Nairobi, Kenya

I don't find African features attractive at all and neither do many whites and other races.

Is that news? Except for those who are carmel-colored and actually are attractive, African models are only used as tokens to avoid charges of racism, etc.,

David Dukester, Hooterville, MS, USA

It would help if Naomi Campbell were actually pretty.

Sam, Oxnard, CA, USA

Naomi Campbell through her advisers has suddenly realised that Black Africa and racism are a huge publicity industry for failing celebrities or politicians. What she seemingly did not see for decades, she now sees in a desperate bid to remain in the headline.
I am sorry for the poor and desperate of Kenya and other Black African societies who would give their daughters or themselves to an irresponsible and disgraceful beauty like Naomi Campbell. She is irresponsible because the job of modelling involves not talent, but more of using one's body to earn a living. She is also irresponsible because of her personal conducts. She is equally a disgraceful beauty because she celebrates the inferiority of Black beauty by never wearing her natural hair. By always wearing hair attachments, she and millions of other Black women demonstrate that they are uncomfortable in their own skin. The other girl from Sudan is a better human being for promoting natural Black beauty without attachments!

John Iteshi, London, UK

Ask black men here in America, and alot of them would repeat the classic Clevon Little line in Blazing Saddles, "Where da white wimmen" . Banks, Vanessa Williams, and Haely Berry aren't pure black their caramel women. To black men and the fashion industry lighter is prettier. Flame on but it's true.

Joe, New York, USA

Geoff and John, I'm sure it never occurred to you the reason there are magazines featuring only black faces is because historically there have been no/very few black faces to be seen in mainstream magazines. Lots of black/other minority women buy these magazines. I don't think it's unreasonable to want to see someone who looks like you when you open the magazine.

wendy, chicago, il

Isn't a shame that at this day and age we have to interject race into everything. Beauty is beauty whether it be black, white, indian, hispanic or sky blue pink. To discriminate based on skin color is so intellectually dishonest it is paramount to censorship. I don't think there are a half a dozen men anywhere in the world that don't think the true beauty of a women transcends race or ethnic background.

Jack Pomeroy, Plymouth, MA.

To John from Sheffield,

Using South Africa of all places as a basis with which to support your point is a fallacy.

And what does having varied hair and eye colour have to do with being pretty? Racial origin isn't a prerequisite for beauty. By the way, facial features are varied amongst black people too, if you'd bothered to look.

Samantha, Manchester,

And she's a multi-millionaire because of us narrow-minded "people who don't appreciate black beauty". Glad she's set me straight.

Marc, Ottawa, Canada

The good thing about africans is that they embrace their curvecious beautiful bodies. White models and celebrities believe that beauty is stick thin. Why starve yourself only to look like a wretched old bat! People should learn to accept, love and embrace themeselves. I believe that Naomi has good intentions, but this will only introduce young volatile girls to the cruel world of modelling. Lets face it, in the modelling world, your'e in today out tommorow, one minute you perfect, the next you're not good enough. At the end of the day the modelling world is the one industry that has caused a generation of young women and men that feel so insecure and worthless about themselves. In addition to this not even one of those models represents reality. I think its about time the industry thinks about that. Start representing the real people out there and not these freaking unreal size zeros. Its just ridiculous!!!!!!!!

Melissa Arden, Joburg, South Africa

Another angry little girl in a woman's body.
I suggest 8-10 years of therapy.
That will at least keep her talking to somebody other than the public.
I mean seriously, do these celebs really think the public cares one bit what they have to say about ANYTHING?
Grow up.

Craig, Deerfield Beach,

My Dear MS Cambell,

My nationality is Irish, I'm also a female. Trust me, the perception you have is not one based in truth. The Americans I know (whose skin is a darker tint than mine) are all beautiful. I would hope one of your stature would stand tall and remain confident in knowing the real people of our nation, (America) are normal citizens who work, shop and communicate daily with others from every skin color, hair color, and circumstance, kindly and respectfully, and we do so individually. Some of the prettiest women I meet are dark skinned, and men, oo, la la... and I have no problem remarking to them how beautiful, or smart, I think they are. Neither does my husband of 16 years. None are famous models, all are simply like me, one of the people. Something strange about the Media Culture and how it differs from the attitudes and circumstances of the way things really are in society. It's different out here in the real world, we get along with each other.

Dari Bradley, Niceville, FL

So who cares what this "Drive-by Phone Attacker" thinks anyway?

Michael, Spokane,WA, WA/USA

Do we need another Naomi Campbell?

Richard, Dunsatble,

Jo , blacks make only Two percent of Britian's population, don't talk about multiculturalism becuase its a failure and used by liberals trying to convince the world that somehow they aren't racist, Western Countries ARE mostly White Countries, I think you would be find it messed up if the irish asks british mags. for more irish models in their prints.

Chris Wilson, Newcastle,

Great just what Africa needs! Transporting some of the most shallow and damaging aspects of western culture into their society and corrupting their youngest.

CAE, London, UK

The assertion that Fashion mags are aimed mainly at white countries and so naturally models will be mainly white, falls on it's face. It is just bigotry made to look respectable.

Can the same be said of the football premiership league.
It is just bigotry.

Dan Juma, London,

For once, Naomi Campbell has a point. How are black girls growing up today supposed to appreciate their own beauty when all the fashion magazines cater only to a European model?

Bill, London,

It hard for us the white people say that we are racist, but we are. It is true and We must thinks about it.

mary, london,

To John, your comments are very surprising for the 21st century. We live in a multicultural society worldwide and to say that fashion mags are mainly aimed at white countries and a white audience is naive. Mainly white countries like the UK have a large black population of women who buy and read fashion magazines to so Naomi has a point. Asian women can complain about the lack of Asian models in fashion mags just as Naomi has if they wish to.
Kudos to Naomi for raising this issue.

Jo Mulligan, London,

The world is becoming more and more integrated and globalised, and Asia (4 billion people) is set to dominate consumerism in terms of absolute spending on products and its people are beginning to assert their preferences with their spending habits. It is inevitable that non-European race / skinned models will become the "norm" and European models will be less in demand. I've no doubt European models will remain the marginally dominant number they currently are in Europe, but as movies have more Asian (Indian/Chinese) superheroes, and more and more cultural exchanges are associated with raw economic power (as the American Dream [still] demonstrates), the European institutions of fashion and media will inevitably give in to the larger, younger, more "modern" Asian houses of thinking and cultural expression.

Pardeep Singh, Frankfurt, Germany

What is she suggesting more positive discrimination?
Naomi Campbell is hardly a role model for anybody let alone in a position to lecture others.

James Whittall, Ludlow,

Models tend to be what people would like to emulate. As most fashion magazine readers in western countries are white, the majority of models would therefore be white. I cant name an Oriental supermodel can you? Maybe Vogue doesnt want to give their front page to someone who is a) old in the fashion industry b) universally hated

Jamie Brown, Maidstone, England

The comments so far seem to conveniently over look the point that Ms Campbell is making. Yes you may dislike Ms Campbell for her alleged bad temper and tantrums but they have nothing whatsoever to do with FACT that black models rarely feature in mainstream magazines.

Vogue advertises itself as a women's magazine, not a white women's magazine - there is a difference. Perhaps if women of colour (black, Asian, Oriental etc) were to see women who look like them and who they felt they could relate to, maybe they would buy Vogue in greater numbers.

And yes, there are magazines specifically aimed at black women, in the same way that there are other culturally orientated publications aimed at specific groups - so what? This does not mean that magazines should not feature black or Asian women just for this reason. Black, Asian and Oriental women are part of the mainstream too and publications that fail to represent them hurt themselves in bad publicity and lost revenue.

Caroline, London,

I guess this would never occur to dear old self-obsessed Naomi, but the reason she's not on front covers any more is probably because she's yesterday's news - she wouldn't help any glossy magazine sell copies because no one's interested in her any more.

Anna, London, UK

This is so fake.

Tyra Banks the african american supermodel has gone on record saying that she felt that Naomi Campbell was jealous of her and saw her as a threat and that Campbell refused to appear on the same catwalk as her.

Naomi is right that women of colour need to be more represented however she needs to start by admitting her own mistakes once she got into the big leagure.

R Hussain, London, UK

It's easy, when you're white, to never experience the narrow-minded, ignorant, and over-weeing arrogance of a group of people who see themselves as right simply because of the color of their skin. People of color exist. We think. We feel. We have the same need for self expression. We have the same need for approval. If we are consumers of these magazines, we should be represented on the covers and within the pages. The measure of consumer matters. Degree of consumption is not the question. I am a Black American. I don't purchase from homogenious catalogs. I don't subscribe to homogenious mags. I want to see black people, asian people, all people. That's a standard that should be set for all. I agree with the others that all people are not represented equally. Black people have learned to fight and much of our fighting for equality helps others. Go Naomi.

Mechelle, Minneapolis, Minnesota

Miss Campbell speaks true, but I doubt many African women would like to appeal to the Western idea of beauty - that being stick-thin bodies with bony, unhappy faces. That's not what African beauty is about and Miss Campbell will not find success until she accepts that Western women prefer to feel battered about not looking like Kate Moss than to relate to a curvier, healthy woman.

Most black women do not fuss about the same issues that help to sell Cosmopolitan and Vogue, therefore the likelihood of seeing them on such covers is nil.

Carys Mathews, Chester, uk

When I lived in South Africa black women used cream to lighten their skin because they believed it was more beautiful.

Given that white women also have more varied hair and eye colour, facial features and, generally speaking, better figures, it's hardly surprising that they are used more as models.

John Salkeld, Sheffield, England

She's stroppy, expensive and with her recent crminal offenses, hardly bankable.

Reality trip Niomi - most of the customers for the extortionate rags she wears are white, therefore it follows that, the models would be white also?

Playing the race card? Is she a Tory?

Bill Bird, Wallasey, Wirral

Frankly l think there are very few really beautiful white women!! ln fact, there are very few really beautiful women period. There are more good looking men than women. l personally dont find Naomi attractive except that she is tall and that is where it ends. Her attitude and personality is much to be desired. However, l must agree with her that black women are indeed beautiful but she is not one of them. l think you can find beautiful women anywhere but they are indeed rare. l think the most beautiful women must come from Northern lndia and also some Middle Eastern women. But what constitutes beauty must be the feminity, personality, attitude and the whole package of the woman. l suspect that Naomi's problem has always been a chip on her shoulders about being black. lf you want people to admire and accept you, you must learn to accept yourself first and the fact that you are black. Perhaps then maybe you will be nicer to other people and treat them with respect. Grow up

virginia, Brisbane, Australia

Campbell to Kenya ? Is that (a) a promise and (b) is that permanent. ? Please.......

Victor M., Malaga, Spain

Campbell playing the race tantrum. It's not a crime to be a white model, and the magazine readership is mostly white. How is it that black interest magazines can exclusively feature black people, without being called racist? Another example of poltically correct double standards.

Tony G, Harrogate,

The models required reflect the target audience which is overwhelmingly white.

Black girls in my office read black magazines with NO white faces in them - what does Campbell think of that - OK I suppose.

As for her specific case, why does she feel she has a "right" to be on Vogue? She has a bad attitude and reputation and she is no doubt expensive and demanding. Good reasons in themselves, regardless of her colour, for Vogue having nothing to do with her.

Geoff M, London, England

There are many black models out there, I Don't see many Asian or Oriental models to be honest, I think Campbell has become too big headed and as such can't see what a bigot she has become..

Adam Webb, MK, UK

She's probably being overlooked because she's a geriatric in modelling terms, and she has a serious attitude problem.
And not necessarily in that order.

Welcome to the real world, where people don't always get what that throw a tantrum for.

Steve, London,

The fashion mags are based in and aimed at mainly white countries... so naturally the models are mainly white. The audience of them is mainly white. In fact there are magazines entirely aimed at black women that never ever feature a white person let alone a white model. Lastly... there are few Asian women in these mags too... for the same reasons.

john, London, UK