really? this is your MLK post? A token image of an African American woman and a post about dining rooms? In fact, this image only reminds me how few African American folks are ever seen here on A.T. Hm. Now, *that* might be something to talk about.

I wonder how many there actually are. I noticed, for example, that there was some art in the house tour the fifth picture is pulled from which suggested that the home owners are black. I googled and confirmed that at least the husband is. As a black reader, I was proud that one of the best house tours of all time had a black face on it. I just wished it were more obvious.

@ FruitvaleLuz and Blvy:

AT did a lovely MLK Jr. post earlier this morning:

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/in-honor-of-martin-luther-king-day-resources-for-being-of-service-182926

The sentence about MLK Jr at the beginning of this article is merely to tie in relevancy of this day to the topic of the post. Today isn't about who's black, who's not and how many of each race are featured on AT. It's about family, equality and freedom.

The race of the person who own's each space shouldn't be relevant and doesn't need to be advertised.

get over it Fruitvalet Luz. This is a design forum not a site for social correctness.

@FruitvaleLuz I have been checking out Maxwell and AT for years, both online and his design consultant work on television. I've seen black people (and other cultures) on this site over the years as homeowners and designers.

While I agree with @cvic about this being "a design forum and not a site for social correctness," I do understand your concerns. I have been involved in some aspect of design from clothing and jewelry to interiors for a very long time. For many years there was a visual absence of designers, companies and homeowners that reflected America's multicultural population. People take notice when they never see anyone that looks like themselves represented in the creative (or any other) arena. Personally, I haven't felt that Maxwell and the AT staff are making decisions based on race as to who shows up in the AT posts. I did go to your profile page and notice that you been an AT member for about 6 months, so you probably haven't seen as much of the cultural diversity that is on AT. On the contrary, there are some people who don't get it, because there hasn't been a time in our country's history when images reflecting their own families were missing from public view.

I am thrilled that every year since at least 2005, Maxwell has included a positive post about the quest for human equality by Dr. Martin Luther King, on or leading up to his national holiday. It says a lot about the man who started AT and his own dedication to equality and national service.

FruitvaleLuz, we must remember to do a little homework before scolding anyone about intent or content. Please know that this is said with love and not ill will.

Happy MLK Day! Lady Lisa

Oops...correction: "you've been an AT member"

fair warning: i don't 'do' policitally correct

I have a dream...that dream is to FINALLY see Martin Luther King, Jr recognized as the mighty man of God that he was. His legacy is a national treasure which, sadly, will not be realized until these types of comments cease and desist in public forums af any type. selah.

@Sammystyle

I actually wasn't upset about this post, but you need to check your privilege. It may not matter to you who is black and who isn't, but you have the privilege of seeing yourself reflected everywhere, including in positive contexts such as this design site. I shouldn't have to explain that many minority groups are relegated to only negative contexts or those which are race specific (e.g. crime reports or MLK day.) It makes me feel nice when I see myself reflected in the public spaces I regularly visit and enjoy (like this website.)

That may not matter to you, but you don't get to dictate how I should feel after noticing that a great room was decorated by someone who shares my cultural heritage/physiognomy. Apartment Therapy doesn't owe me anything, but I'm free to note that (in line with basic human nature) I enjoy seeing myself represented in various spheres. And from a marketing perspective, they might consider including images of homeowners/designers when it reflects their diversity. For example, I've noticed alot of gay couples on here and that's great. You can't tell me that gay readers don't look to those articles with interest -- as to I. But, if that's a value that Apartment Therapy shares, so be it. They would hardly be alone.

http://www.amptoons.com/blog/files/mcintosh.html

P.S. Note that when race isn't specified, the default assumption is that a person is white. This means that positive stereotypes continue to be attributed to whites even when they are not earned. That's why I am not arguing that the home owner should always be included.

Ditto. So funny, I too noticed the art in that tour and assumed one of them was a poc.

@ ApartmentTherapy: thanks for all of the MLK posts, including this one. I know how difficult it is to fit anything out of the ordinary, holiday or not, into blog posts so please know that you're efforts have not gone unnoticed or unappreciated.

The shelter mags, design blogs, etc. seem to be getting more diverse every year. Forever, only June & Ward Cleaver were allowed, then Rick/Mark or Steve (remember that from "Steel Magnolias"?) and now, the rest of us. I remember the first Dwell article with two women, a LivingEtc with a single black man, and so on - to paraphrase a friend of mine, Firsts are a sign that we've come along way...and still have a very, very long way to go. Part of the problem is the old 'news is what's going on in the lives of the editor's friends' problem, another part is cultural (most my family thinks showing off a home would be either 1) just that, showing off, or 2) crazy to let the world/thieves know where they can find the big screen) and who knows what else.

"P.S. Note that when race isn't specified, the default assumption is that a person is white. This means that positive stereotypes continue to be attributed to whites even when they are not earned. That's why I am not arguing that the home owner should always be included."
-Now that is something that perhaps YOU assume. I certainly don't assume it.

And african art doesn't automatically dictate that the owners are black, nor other interiors that they are white.
I find it fascinating how people want the USA, maybe even the world to be color blind and accept all people as is, but then the whining starts when things aren't 50/50.

One could also then start complaining about not enough Indians, Asians or whatnot being represented, but I'd rather just focus on the design aspect of what this site has to offer, and not the color of the person that offers that design.

@Museli

That while males are a default in this country is a phenomenon thoroughly discussed in feminist/race/sociological literature. But hey, I guess you are just more evolved than everyone else. Good for you.

http://goodmenproject.com/featured-content/why-is-white-male-the-default/

Also, there was no "[A]frican art." There was a prominently displayed record with the Spinners or some other 70s R&B band. Seeing as how music was much more segregated back then, it tipped me off. Of course that doesn't "prove" someone is black. Nor does someone being named O'Neal mean they are Irish. (See Shaq). But its certainly a clue.

Color blindness isn't an asset. You do no one any favors by ignoring that they're black/brown etc. Its not something we want to forget.

Also, privilege alert!: "I'd rather just focus on the design aspect of what this site has to offer"

Good for you. Focus on what you want. I'm asserting something that is important to me. I'm sorry it bothers you to have to look at the world through a racial lens that you don't share. As a minority in America, I couldn't possibly understand how that feels.

Anyway AT, again, no issues with you. This has been blown completely out of proportion by people who are obviously uncomfortable with any kind of critical race discussion.

Ohhhhh, I love me some Spinners! (guessin' that dates me, huh? oh well)

Now I got that outta my system, I wholeheartedly agree...'focus on what you want'. It's certainly permissble. Question is, is it productive? And in case you have failed to notice, white males are the ONLY remaining *minority* in this country.

Now back to the subject of this thread...(kinda). My celebration of MLK Day does not include gathering around the dinner table but it does include re-reading a number of this great man's teachings. Does a body good, it does, it does. Food for the soul...and spirit. Try it.

eucchh, some of these overly defensive comments in reaction to valid criticism made me cringe. thanks to BIvey and others for being reasonable in the face of others' "reason." i will never understand how someone's reaction to being called out on privilege is to immediately pretend they're not privileged and instead point the finger back accusing everyone else of being wrong (and thus reasserting their privilege).

@Blvy I don't think that it's necessary for me to "check my privilege" but thank you for assuming that I'm white. I'm actually a minority as well, Mexican. I just think that people get too wrapped up in race when design really has nothing to do with that.

It's problematic that the only time you "see yourself reflected / represented" is when someone shares the same race as you. This only continues the cycle of race v race. As a society, we need to look at ourselves as beings that are bigger than just our race. I see myself reflected on AT every time I see a design that I love, whether it be created by an Asian, African American, Italian, ect. Although my ethnicity is a part of who I am, it does not define me. My character and personality define me and that's how I see myself reflected in the world.

I never by default just assume that all perspectives are from someone white, unless specified. I don't even consider the race, I just assume it's a HUMAN BEING. And in the case of AT, a human being interested in home decor and style. Each individual person is UNIQUE. If you can't see yourself reflected or represented, whose fault is that? YOURS. Because you are limiting what you see to the color of skin. You could see OTHER elements of yourself reflected in others, regardless of race, if you bothered to look beyond that. It would be just as easy for a white person to not see themselves reflected or represented in another white person. Because every single person is a combination of different elements. Race is only one thing. It would be the same saying that because I'm a woman, I can't see anything of myself in someone because they are a man. I suppose that would be the case if I didn't have the ability to think beyond the obvious, to see that it's just one single part of an amalgamation of countless other qualities about that person, some of which might be JUST like me. Or, possibly race is the ONLY thing I can see of myself in them. And if so, who cares. Just because two people share the same skin color doesn't mean they reflect anything of each other beyond a color. I can be white as another person, and still, by comparison, be so different we may as well come from different planets. I'm also a vegetarian, which is a minority. Does that mean I see nothing of myself in someone else because...they eat meat? I live in Baltimore. Does that mean I see nothing of myself in someone because they live in California? Or even Japan! I have had friends and even housemates of dozens of races, and I was always capable of seeing beyond whether they shared the same skin color as me. The race card always always a weak play. If someone is concerned enough to scour through posts, and then just assume for themselves that if race isn't mentioned, then the person is white, they are much too consumed with the issue of race, and will always find a way to feel alienated. Ultimately, if this keeps you from enjoying AT, then.... don't open it up and look at it. They are not obligated in any way to hunt out things to post based on race. Maybe start your own therapy - webpage or otherwise.

@sammystyle

I'm super glad your character and personality define you.

I guess that means national policies regarding immigration. racial profiling etc are of no importance to you. Enjoy your bubble. Ignorance is bliss.

@dM

If I can weed through your many straw men that suggest that I can't see myself reflected in ANY WAY when reading these design posts (I never said that), I would direct your attention to the fact that we are specifically talking about racial representation. I suspect that if you reflected for a moment, you would realize that you would be rather chagrined if you never saw any women designers represented on this site. Or, hypothetically speaking, if women were underrepresented in say, Romney's governmental cabinet. Does it not bother you that we are only on our fourth female supreme court justice of all time? Did Sally Ride inspire you? Did Hillary Clinton's presidential run not excite you? Did this bother you? http://www.thenation.com/blog/166311/republican-hearing-contraception-no-women-allowed

Obviously no one should base their political decisions or any other part of their life solely on identity politics. But to deny that people's race/gender/religion/background etc aren't important parts of who they are is incredibly naive.

At the end of the day, we bring our life experiences to our work product. Just like we think a woman's perspective would be valuable (if not essential) to a panel on women's reproductive health, diverse perspectives are useful in ALL contexts. Furthermore, as I wrote before, there is psychic value in feeling you are represented. It helps one to feel like they are welcome in a space. I already you know you are going to say, "its sad you feel you don't belong somewhere unless people look like you," but lets see how often you actually hang out in environments where you are the only white person.

Again, nothing about this site is especially problematic. I have definitely seen some degree of diversity here which has been appreciated. Good job. This whole thing started because I simply inquired whether one particular home might have been designed by a black person -- an occurrence which I would've thought was cool. But you know what, you're right. I am not allowed to feel any sense of racial pride because apparently that compromises your ability not to go into apoplectic shock.

@ discerining. It was actually Gladys Knight and the Pips :)

@dM

Also, you should probably read my posts more carefully before getting all worked up:

I said: "Apartment Therapy doesn't owe me anything."

Also, I just cant resist this:

"I'm also a vegetarian, which is a minority." LOL! Yes, being vegetarian is totally analogous. I'm sure your dietary choices are as big a part of your identity as my race. In fact, I hear right after the war on poverty Dr. King was going to march on behalf of the gluten intolerant. What a man.

Snark aside, that's not to say that you might not find yourself rightly identifying with homeowners/posts that focus on vegetarians/ism. A homeowner might mention that they have a bean plant in their windowsill (in a tasteful planter of course) to help them get enough protein. Then you would be justified in appreciating the inclusion of a vegetarian homeowner. Why do you begrudge me the satisfaction of seeing an apartment with aGladys Knight album that is familiar from my own childhood? I'm sorry I'm not sorry the mention of race is offensive to you.

#iseerace

@strawberry jam. Exactly.

Correction:

gubernatorial not governmental cabinet.

Also, @ dM, you live in Baltimore. Are you not interested in seeing MD homes? I know I love to see NY apartments -- particularly studios in the West Village because guess what, I live in a studio in the West Village which has particular design constraints. We all are more interested in things that relate to us. Again, I have to ask why that notion is so offensive to you when race is involved.

@Blvy Thank you for taking it to the personal jab / sarcastic level. That level of debate only demonstrates lack of a clear and concise argument, and an abundance of defensiveness.

Just because those things define me, doesn't mean I'm not aware of immigration (I told you that I'm Mexican, I have family in Mexico with immigration issues) and racial profiling. Clearly they're important modern societal issues that I have opinions on.

I can somewhat see your line of thinking in being "proud" that one of the most successful tours is from an African American... But what exactly do you personally have in common with that person besides the color of their skin? It seems like you're the one who's placing more emphasis on race than most others. You're the one who thinks it's important that it should be "more obvious" that it's from an African American. And to that I say.. who cares?! It's a cool house / apt. / whatever, end of story. Why should the race of the person who owns it be obvious? Again, YOU are the one who is making it a big deal that someone is or is not African American, not everyone else. I truly don't understand.

But despite all of that, I wish you internal happiness and peace. Best of luck.

i sure do like those dining tables.

"But what exactly do you personally have in common with that person besides the color of their skin?"

Seriously? I have many things in common with other black people besides the color of their skin. Skin color is a proxy for a whole constellation of shared cultural history. While it is only a PROXY and thus not exact, I share a general cultural background with black Americans. (We also share similar life experiences since everyone is not as beautifully color blind as you, and as a result we are at times treated differently due to the color of our skin. I'm sure you're familiar with the concept). That feeling of shared experiences in values is pretty relateable to most people.

Do you really think looks are all that binds you to your compatriots? Would you be proud to have a Mexican American president or wouldn't you? Were you particularly happy about Sotomayor or was her appointment the same as Kagan's to you? I was more excited about Sotomayor as a POC, even though I knew Kagan personally as my law school dean. As a woman and a liberal, I was pretty amped about both of them. Obviously even though he is black, Clarence Thomas sucks. Again, race/gender etc are just proxies. But we all operate on these proxies. When Americans win Olympic events are you proud even though you have nothing in common with them except for a passport? (Assuming you're American. Its unclear whether you are Mexican American or still a Mexican citizen but you get the gist). Do you see where I am going with this?

You are basically decrying the whole concept of racial/gender/nationalistic/(insert any personal characteristic) pride. By your logic, a New Yorker can't take pride in a Knicks victory because they weren't personally on the court.

Regardless of whether you accept that concept, you don't get to dictate to me what I care about. It is valid for me to assert that seeing people of different races/genders/sexuality represented in public spaces is important to me. Your "who cares?" is flip and disrespectful. I have not tried to similarly dictate your feelings. What you should be asking is why YOU care that diversity is a value of MINE. How does that negatively affect you in any way? If the races of the homeowners isn't important, why not picture a panoply of backgrounds (as as already been done to some extent)?

Furthermore, nothing I said was prescriptive. I said I "wished" it were more obvious. I did not tell AT that they "should" do anything. I recognize that my values cannot be generalized. I wish you could do the same.

Thanks for the glib salutations.