Cover Choices?

We love NPR, but when our favorite NPR host Michel Martin probed into our recent cover choice, Miss Universe Riyo Mori, I found myself a little on the defense, feeling our point wasn't completely understood. And in the time constraints of radio world, all the points I wanted to make didn't even stand a chance.

The question: How can a woman who simply won a pageant be influential?
The answer: For one, she isn't the most influential, or for that matter, the most influential woman we could or have covered. There are a slew of others across industries, but her accomplishment has its own weight. It signifies a changing beauty ideal in mainstream culture, an important one for Asian American women, and no matter what each individual thinks of pageants, Riyo Mori is now, by her crowning, a role model for little AA girls everywhere. Pretty important, if you ask me.

So we, the East West staff, wanted to get past the beauty and get to know the woman, especially if she is going to be a role model.

Listen to the full discussion of this topic from the NPR segment here.
It brings up some good points, with Essence and Catalina editors making comments similar to mine.

But this brings me to your thoughts. What do you think? East West traditionally uses a wide range of cover subjects from TV News personalities to actresses, but who do you want to see? Tell us! I mean it. As we work on our special double issue for November, we are giving you the chance of picking the cover.

Post your cover idea here or send it to me in an email: editor@eastwestmagazine.com. We'll do our best to bring your cover vision to life. And speaking of influence, it reminded me our annual Ten to Watch list from December. Take a look back. It's fun to see how our picks are fairing as the year progresses.

Oh and we still love NPR and Michel. Why? Cause as always she made us think! The best one can offer another.