Oneka LaBennett Quoted in Elle Magazine

American Studies Director Professor Oneka LaBennett is quoted in the April issue of Elle Magazine, currently on newsstands. The issue has hip hop artist Nicki Minaj on the cover with a photo shoot and story about her inside. The story quotes LaBennett's Ms. Magazine article about Minaj. The whole article is not available online yet, but here is where LaBennett is quoted:

Anthropologist Oneka LaBennett, an associate professor of African and African American studies at Fordham University, has noted that the controversy extends far beyond loyal viewers of American Idol. "Minaj has become a lightening rod for conversations about race, youth, girls, and beauty standards," she wrote in response to some critics' claims that the rapper glamorizes traditionally white standards of beauty. "Minaj's prismatic wigs. . . defy the easy categories of 'black' or 'white' hair.  Like 'the black girl' herself, Minaj is a complex figure who 'flips' mainstream norms in a manner that often goes unrecognized." 

You can check out selected parts of the article and photo shoot with Nicki Minaj on Elle's website.