Is the fashion industry racist?

The next issue of the Italian edition of Vogue is to feature mainly black models. The magazine’s editor-in-chief, Franca Sozzani,  says she is doing it because not enough people in the fashion industry use black models.

Ms Sozzani is the latest person to suggest that the fashion industry is racist.  Is she right? Does it promote a white world?

On air: Israelis and Palestinians

The World Bank says the Palestinian economy won’t grow primarily because of Israeli restrictions on movement. It’s been picked up by hundreds of bloggers because of course it raises far broader issues about the relationship between Israelis and Palestinians and the route they see to a peaceful and prosperous life.

We’ve invited two Israelis, two Palestinians and a representative of an aid organisation into the WHYS studio to talk with us and each other. We’re not going to set a question. We’ll just let them choose which way to take the conversation. Please leave comments or questions for them here.

Talking points for 28 April

Good morning, thanks to Katharina in Belgium and Agostinho in Jamaica for a sterling job in moderating the fourth blank page. We’ll be reading through your ideas for programmes with great interest. Turning to today’s programme, a report by the World Bank says the Israeli blockade on Gaza is having a crippling effect on it’s economy. Not all that surprising you may think, but Palestinian economic recovery is seen as crucial for U.S.-backed Mideast peace efforts.

Women should not ignore their men when they have kids

Hi, I’m Savane in Kenya. I watched an Oprah a couple of years ago that I think would generate an interesting discussion.