305Kviews
Black Model Recreates Famous Fashion Campaigns To Highlight Lack Of Diversity In Fashion Industry
305Kviews
Deddeh Howard is a Liberian-born model based in LA, and she's hoping to raise awareness about the lack of diversity in the modeling and fashion industry with her new photo-project called Black Mirror. In it, she recreates some of the world's biggest fashion ad campaigns by taking the places of major fashion models such as Kendall Jenner, Gigi Hadid, Kate Moss, and Gisele Bundchen.
"I would walk into various fashion model agencies and I would immediately be compared to that one or two black models that they had on the roster," she writes on her website. "Even though I was told by those agencies that I have an amazing look and wish they could represent me, they already have a black model. Besides having an abundance of white models. It seemed as if one or two black models on the roster are enough to represent us all.
"For this project, I decided to re-shoot several of the inspiring and famous campaigns out there and try to show what they could look like with a bit of racial diversity. Why can’t the big brands not embrace our looks more and give all of us visibility? With this Black Mirror project, I hope to show the world that it is time for all of us being seen."
More info: Deddeh Howard | Instagram (h/t)
This post may include affiliate links.
Chanel
Victoria's Secret
And again someone see racism in next place. If you want equality we need in fashion models: 10% - chinese, 10% - india, 15% - arab, 50% - men, 20% - blonds, 40% - elderly people etc.
Gucci
Not keen on either. Cheekbones are far too severe on first; unfortunately her swollen salivary glands stand out, some of us understand why.
The first model is too sickly pale And the second is too dark. Neither are hitting the mark on this one.
One on the left looks like an extra on Twilight, the black model is totally rocking it.
Left one looks like she's going to be battling Neo, while the one on the right is on her way to a professional meeting :p
The white girl needs something to eat. And the second one looks good but I look the original one better
Dolce & Gabbana
Martin Luther king topic again. Honestly black /white/yellow/ whatever colour in the rainbow you are and can be beautiful
Louis Vuitton
She is not even a model... and she is not tall. So, here you go, no discrimination to short persona!
Hm...this is yhe world of avertising. Thus, I am rather skeptical whether this is about diversity. It seems to be clever self-marketing. (Do not get me wrong: I am not negative about the photos or the model at all. I just do ot buy the altruistic part of this.)
The point of this photo shoot was to show that black women (darker skinned black women in particular) can achieve the same "looks" and convey the same emotions as white women. If you read the article she said that when she interviews with different modeling agencies she has been told that they already have their one or two black girls. So yes she is trying to drum up business, but not just for herself but for other women of color also. I think there is better motivation for this photo shoot than the outrageously provocative outfits that white celebrity women wear all the time just to get noticed and make more money.
Let me add to that. It is like when a white woman walks into the modeling agency the agent is looking for a special and unique look. But when a black woman walks in the first thing the agency sees is black skin and they automatically think that beyond her skin tone there is nothing unique or special about her. In other words, to some, "all black models look alike." "If you have seen one, you have seen them all."
This is what you think is the point. This is art and it's supposed to spark emotions and discussions. Your opinion is not necessarily that of the artist.
Well said Bridgette
So, when you interview for a job, you are not pushing your own quals, but trying to tell the employer how great other folks in your ethnic group are? Or, maybe to be really pure in your motives, you'll just work for free? Of course, she is promoting herself -- there is nothing wrong with that. But she is also trying to break down barriers for other models of color. There's nothing wrong with that either. One can simultaneously promote oneself and try to expand opportunities for others. Those are not mutually exclusive goals.
Yes I feel the same. She's just exposing her professional book on internet to get attention (and a work). I don't like the fact she just copy existing pictures rather than make new ones.
She is copying the "real" photos to make a point: that they look just as good/sexy/enticing when the model is black. Also it's the best way to compare models if everything else remains the same. I don't think showing random photos of black models would have made as much sense.
Well there are parts of the World where majority people are black I guess you should do same article about that too.. Like why in Africa people want to read or watch movies about black people heh.. I think it is really normal if black people are just small percentage of some regions of the World that there will be small percentage them in media too..
Nobody hired me as well. Why? Is it a discrimination? Nobody care about white men.
hihi
This was an article about an African woman modeling. Seriously, it's for fun, no need to be so angry over "not being hired." Just enjoy the beauty. For example, I didn't get chosen for president, so I'm being discriminated agains. Nobody cares about a little Korosensei here, based on that logic.
its not really a lack of diversity considering these advertisements target the biggest by farr! ethnic group in their own country. USA 62% white 13% black, UK 85% white 4% black :/ sure more representation would be nice and its not like their isnt any. Equal representation means only 13% of american media should have black actors or models ect. equal representation doesnt mean 50/50 their should be more latino representation than black considering theirs more of them in the country 18 %
I like originals more. If she would have been originally there, it would have been as good in some cases, probably. I find that she lacks that something that makes models great, although she looks gorgeous.
I agree, I think she is beautiful but looks a bit stiff, not as natural at posing as other models.
I thought there was something lacking there also. There is an energy that comes from most of those successful models. The first pic was missing that ' I do not care, but I am curious' look that Linda had, and the second pic, yes both in lingerie, stunning bodies etc, but the original was SMOLDERING, there was a definite difference in what the pictures are sending as a message. She is a beautiful girl, and I definitely got her point about what the difference is going for castings etc, but I think that honestly recreating these types of pics was not in her best interest, but showing more of a mix would have helped more.
i'm not a racist but honestly brands and companies invest on a model that they think would sell their products effectively, black or white, doesn't matter. Rihanna has a lot of advertisements because she sells, and people need to know that it isn't about anything, this is 2016, slavery is so over and advertisements are just all about business, that's all there is to it.
Everything in the media is about race nowadays... so this article is no surprise. In the wise words of Morgan Freeman... race will stop being a problem when we stop talking about it and just see each other as individuals. Lets just appreciate both images. There are models of every color all over the world.
i feel like the light in all pics was for white model. Especially the last ones. So, to remake the ads all had to be changed. The background, earrings, even bicycle. There's no contrast, and image doesn't pop because of it. It's more about the colors of picture than about colors of model. Sometimes skin tone blends with the product, so you choose another model to highlight it. In fashion world divercity is more popular than anywhere esle, so it's about light, color and form. Not about race...
So, the alternative is to put more blacks in photos for the sake of having more blacks in photos...
The alternative is to not always hire white models just because they are white.
Diversity Mike, diversity. More non-whites in general. Christ, is not that difficult to understand.....
Meh
Well, as much as I respect her recreation, it came to my attention the fact that she herself is not comfortable with her own ethnicity. A black model with afro hair would have made the message stronger.
Hair means nothing.Most of the white models have coloured & straightened or curled up hair. That has to be with the style, not the ethnicity
I am far from racist and I tend to explode on everyone I meet who is. However, white and black aren't the only two skin colors or races or whatever in the world. If you really want "diversity" then you'll need to include people from all around the world. Agree with me, don't agree with me, I don't really care.
In most pictures the girl on the right is more pretty...
Shes a dream <3
Nice pics but this isn't diversity.
In the adds, often dark colors were worn. I'm not sure a colored model makes a black dress or shades look the same as a caucasion model does. Fashion itself may be white-biased. She does show that a colored model like herself can match up just as well. She's every bit as stylish and beautiful and sexy as the shown models. Whether the main clientele for high fashion items also identifies with a colored model, not so sure.
I will be honest I find the black model to be more attractive
lack of diversity in the AMERICAN fashion industry !
She has beautiful skin. I loved all the pictures.
I like her style. Beauty comes in all colors and shapes
There are some inages where i consider the original models better suited but mostly because of the contrast the image angle. This model is amazingly gorgeous but i think 50% of that is purely the naturally friendly apearance she has in her photos. I think that of more people embraced themselves like that with acceptance and a true love of life and all their experiences maybe there would be more beauty shining into the world. I think the fashion and advertizing industry has the true meaning of what is beautiful very very wrong.
Lee need more models from different colours and races it's beautiful and equal
I was under the impression that the fashion world is a commercial world and obviously use the model that will sell the most. In other words, they in general follow the public opinion and not make/change it. If you want to change that, start with the public, any commercial company will follow. They other way around is like fighting the wind, just ask 'Kahless' how smart that is :-)
I-roll-584...e8a1ed.jpg
Because the title says "African model", I assume she's living in Africa. If you go look at the side of a clothing shop if an African country, I'm assuming most models will be African. Of course, there's no problem with a mostly white country to hire a non-white model, but companies can hire whoever they want as models, right?
This may have been true 10 years or so ago, blacks are NO LONGER in the minority on t.v. Commercials, shows, games etc. Whites are now becoming the minority. Be careful of what you wish for. I was talking to some blacks on Facebook and things got heated , there was one thing that mentioned more than once from them and that is they are not going to ask for anything they are just going to TAKE it. They feel our WHITE PRIVILEGE gave us ALL we have and not HARD EARNED. Beware I'm telling you a change is coming if BLM has anything to do with it.
How many suitable black women who want to be models are there searching for modelling jobs? How many black-run modelling agencies are there as opposed to white-run agencies? Do they employ equal numbers of black and white models or more of either? Agencies supply models for clients, so... what models do the clients want for their products?
I think she has a better ass than the Calvin Klein model, but she isn't proving anything. Yeah, she could have been hired for any of those jobs because she fits the mold. So what? There may be little 'diversity' (read: not many women of color being featured in ads) in the industry, but the place to attack for that is the agents and the owners. Posing doesn't prove anything.
Doesn't it depend on who the agencies and companies think buys their products?
True, but black people buy sunglasses and lingerie too.
The black model is gorgeous.... wow really... Her skin is so beautiful!
What we need is LESS MODELS. the fashion industry is shallow, pointless, destructive, shameful and utterly self centred. Down with fashion and all who blindly follow.
The black model is the best one......
I LOVE HUMAN not for Color of their skin, I LOVE ALL NATION, I am white but in these picture Back woman model were 100% better than white woman model :
Beautiful classy woman. Looking better in every photo except the D&C, I think light skin just fits better for that "Latina style".
D&G, doh...
ridiculous...she comes off like the racist with that "statement"
stupidity, the photos are totally different, I not mean that black girs photos are bad, no,but they are not equall, and will never be equall and it is stupid think make everything equal in that meaning, people are equal in their freedom, in laws, but man is never equal to woman and woman is never equal to man, life have different colours to be different, the lion is not equal to dog, the cat is not equal to cow, I think this is just a effort to make herself PR
Wtf? I see down sindrome models, obeze omdels called curvy, tattooed all over models, albino black models, transgender,come on, world!
I wish she wouldn't have straightened her hair
She is gorgeous! In all of the pictures, as good, if not better than the others.... except #9... I like the other girl in #9
nice but on the sicilian D&G model dont works...
ok but on the sicilian D&G dont works...😄
By reading the comments it's clear that most people do not understand the reason behind this and also do not understand how the modeling business works. It is not to simply recreate the pictures showing a black model or for her to expand her portfolio. The point of this is the show that black models can be used just as well as white models. In this industry most agencies and gigs require that the model be white, giving the impression that black models cannot give the same result. In consequence black models hardly ever get hired and there are less representations of black women in advertising. So the point of this is to show that black models can be used in the same way white models can. If you do not understand that then you do not understand the discrimination experience by not only black models, but every model who is of a visible ethnicity. It also means that you do not understand what discrimination is and the problems that people different from yourselves face.
Oh we understand... we just don't agree with the point being made. It's pretentious.
Point or self-advertising, who cares? She's doing both and she's doing it right! She's trying to find a way to make her dream come true and fighting for her own rights! You go girl! Best of luck, sistah! ♥
Too bad that companies paying for this advertising are trying to reach their target demographics and actually putting thought into what the models look like, otherwise someone might actually care.
She is pretty
I like how well she recreates these photos
She fucking rocked those!!!!!!
Personally I like the remake of the picture with the beutiful black women better.
All of the women featured in these pictures are so beautiful!! I think the point is to show that all women should be represented in the fashion industry.
She's stunning
I think the point would have come across better if they used more than one black model instead of the same one over and over.
Yes, I think she's more beautiful than each of the other models in the article, so I like her pics best, but it would make the point better if there were others. Especially since she was told, "We already have a black model"....wtf........
Oh no, you're right. The fact that she is the only model doesn't make this seem like free marketing at all. This shouldn't make us question.
Love that brown skin.
Absolutely great photos - both the model and the photographer.
it is nice stuffs
No matter what we do as a society, the black community will always feel like they are being discriminated against. It's ridiculous. I'm waiting for the reverse effect of all this BS, such as, a movie about the life and times of Malcolm X starring George Clooney as Malcolm X.
I'm confused. Could the SJWs help me out here? How is this helping an issue that impacts EVERYONE, not just a specific race such as 'black': Body Image. Are we supposed to say 'that's nice, let's bring more attention to 'race'!' when this is doing nothing to combat poor body image by girls of ALL colors...white, black, etc? Liberals are dumb. So dumb.
There's room for any discussion. This is about ETHNICITY - not "race".There's only 1 race: human. U're dumb if u don't know the difference
stupid
Too bad companies that are paying for these ads are preferential to the demographics they're trying to sell to, otherwise someone might care.
theyreallevenlyintimidatingtomoi
Will you do the recreations for the genders too? I mean, all the genders that are possible recently.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Why they blacks just don't create their own brand and promote it however they like?
That's called segregation. Race isn't a brand, Rafael.
But I'm sure a brand can do well to promote racial identity.
the (18)50's called, even they don't want you back
it is an honest question. really. what holds them back?
Hm...this is yhe world of avertising. Thus, I am rather skeptical whether this is about diversity. It seems to be clever self-marketing. (Do not get me wrong: I am not negative about the photos or the model at all. I just do ot buy the altruistic part of this.)
The point of this photo shoot was to show that black women (darker skinned black women in particular) can achieve the same "looks" and convey the same emotions as white women. If you read the article she said that when she interviews with different modeling agencies she has been told that they already have their one or two black girls. So yes she is trying to drum up business, but not just for herself but for other women of color also. I think there is better motivation for this photo shoot than the outrageously provocative outfits that white celebrity women wear all the time just to get noticed and make more money.
Let me add to that. It is like when a white woman walks into the modeling agency the agent is looking for a special and unique look. But when a black woman walks in the first thing the agency sees is black skin and they automatically think that beyond her skin tone there is nothing unique or special about her. In other words, to some, "all black models look alike." "If you have seen one, you have seen them all."
This is what you think is the point. This is art and it's supposed to spark emotions and discussions. Your opinion is not necessarily that of the artist.
Well said Bridgette
So, when you interview for a job, you are not pushing your own quals, but trying to tell the employer how great other folks in your ethnic group are? Or, maybe to be really pure in your motives, you'll just work for free? Of course, she is promoting herself -- there is nothing wrong with that. But she is also trying to break down barriers for other models of color. There's nothing wrong with that either. One can simultaneously promote oneself and try to expand opportunities for others. Those are not mutually exclusive goals.
Yes I feel the same. She's just exposing her professional book on internet to get attention (and a work). I don't like the fact she just copy existing pictures rather than make new ones.
She is copying the "real" photos to make a point: that they look just as good/sexy/enticing when the model is black. Also it's the best way to compare models if everything else remains the same. I don't think showing random photos of black models would have made as much sense.
Well there are parts of the World where majority people are black I guess you should do same article about that too.. Like why in Africa people want to read or watch movies about black people heh.. I think it is really normal if black people are just small percentage of some regions of the World that there will be small percentage them in media too..
Nobody hired me as well. Why? Is it a discrimination? Nobody care about white men.
hihi
This was an article about an African woman modeling. Seriously, it's for fun, no need to be so angry over "not being hired." Just enjoy the beauty. For example, I didn't get chosen for president, so I'm being discriminated agains. Nobody cares about a little Korosensei here, based on that logic.
its not really a lack of diversity considering these advertisements target the biggest by farr! ethnic group in their own country. USA 62% white 13% black, UK 85% white 4% black :/ sure more representation would be nice and its not like their isnt any. Equal representation means only 13% of american media should have black actors or models ect. equal representation doesnt mean 50/50 their should be more latino representation than black considering theirs more of them in the country 18 %
I like originals more. If she would have been originally there, it would have been as good in some cases, probably. I find that she lacks that something that makes models great, although she looks gorgeous.
I agree, I think she is beautiful but looks a bit stiff, not as natural at posing as other models.
I thought there was something lacking there also. There is an energy that comes from most of those successful models. The first pic was missing that ' I do not care, but I am curious' look that Linda had, and the second pic, yes both in lingerie, stunning bodies etc, but the original was SMOLDERING, there was a definite difference in what the pictures are sending as a message. She is a beautiful girl, and I definitely got her point about what the difference is going for castings etc, but I think that honestly recreating these types of pics was not in her best interest, but showing more of a mix would have helped more.
i'm not a racist but honestly brands and companies invest on a model that they think would sell their products effectively, black or white, doesn't matter. Rihanna has a lot of advertisements because she sells, and people need to know that it isn't about anything, this is 2016, slavery is so over and advertisements are just all about business, that's all there is to it.
Everything in the media is about race nowadays... so this article is no surprise. In the wise words of Morgan Freeman... race will stop being a problem when we stop talking about it and just see each other as individuals. Lets just appreciate both images. There are models of every color all over the world.
i feel like the light in all pics was for white model. Especially the last ones. So, to remake the ads all had to be changed. The background, earrings, even bicycle. There's no contrast, and image doesn't pop because of it. It's more about the colors of picture than about colors of model. Sometimes skin tone blends with the product, so you choose another model to highlight it. In fashion world divercity is more popular than anywhere esle, so it's about light, color and form. Not about race...
So, the alternative is to put more blacks in photos for the sake of having more blacks in photos...
The alternative is to not always hire white models just because they are white.
Diversity Mike, diversity. More non-whites in general. Christ, is not that difficult to understand.....
Meh
Well, as much as I respect her recreation, it came to my attention the fact that she herself is not comfortable with her own ethnicity. A black model with afro hair would have made the message stronger.
Hair means nothing.Most of the white models have coloured & straightened or curled up hair. That has to be with the style, not the ethnicity
I am far from racist and I tend to explode on everyone I meet who is. However, white and black aren't the only two skin colors or races or whatever in the world. If you really want "diversity" then you'll need to include people from all around the world. Agree with me, don't agree with me, I don't really care.
In most pictures the girl on the right is more pretty...
Shes a dream <3
Nice pics but this isn't diversity.
In the adds, often dark colors were worn. I'm not sure a colored model makes a black dress or shades look the same as a caucasion model does. Fashion itself may be white-biased. She does show that a colored model like herself can match up just as well. She's every bit as stylish and beautiful and sexy as the shown models. Whether the main clientele for high fashion items also identifies with a colored model, not so sure.
I will be honest I find the black model to be more attractive
lack of diversity in the AMERICAN fashion industry !
She has beautiful skin. I loved all the pictures.
I like her style. Beauty comes in all colors and shapes
There are some inages where i consider the original models better suited but mostly because of the contrast the image angle. This model is amazingly gorgeous but i think 50% of that is purely the naturally friendly apearance she has in her photos. I think that of more people embraced themselves like that with acceptance and a true love of life and all their experiences maybe there would be more beauty shining into the world. I think the fashion and advertizing industry has the true meaning of what is beautiful very very wrong.
Lee need more models from different colours and races it's beautiful and equal
I was under the impression that the fashion world is a commercial world and obviously use the model that will sell the most. In other words, they in general follow the public opinion and not make/change it. If you want to change that, start with the public, any commercial company will follow. They other way around is like fighting the wind, just ask 'Kahless' how smart that is :-)
I-roll-584...e8a1ed.jpg
Because the title says "African model", I assume she's living in Africa. If you go look at the side of a clothing shop if an African country, I'm assuming most models will be African. Of course, there's no problem with a mostly white country to hire a non-white model, but companies can hire whoever they want as models, right?
This may have been true 10 years or so ago, blacks are NO LONGER in the minority on t.v. Commercials, shows, games etc. Whites are now becoming the minority. Be careful of what you wish for. I was talking to some blacks on Facebook and things got heated , there was one thing that mentioned more than once from them and that is they are not going to ask for anything they are just going to TAKE it. They feel our WHITE PRIVILEGE gave us ALL we have and not HARD EARNED. Beware I'm telling you a change is coming if BLM has anything to do with it.
How many suitable black women who want to be models are there searching for modelling jobs? How many black-run modelling agencies are there as opposed to white-run agencies? Do they employ equal numbers of black and white models or more of either? Agencies supply models for clients, so... what models do the clients want for their products?
I think she has a better ass than the Calvin Klein model, but she isn't proving anything. Yeah, she could have been hired for any of those jobs because she fits the mold. So what? There may be little 'diversity' (read: not many women of color being featured in ads) in the industry, but the place to attack for that is the agents and the owners. Posing doesn't prove anything.
Doesn't it depend on who the agencies and companies think buys their products?
True, but black people buy sunglasses and lingerie too.
The black model is gorgeous.... wow really... Her skin is so beautiful!
What we need is LESS MODELS. the fashion industry is shallow, pointless, destructive, shameful and utterly self centred. Down with fashion and all who blindly follow.
The black model is the best one......
I LOVE HUMAN not for Color of their skin, I LOVE ALL NATION, I am white but in these picture Back woman model were 100% better than white woman model :
Beautiful classy woman. Looking better in every photo except the D&C, I think light skin just fits better for that "Latina style".
D&G, doh...
ridiculous...she comes off like the racist with that "statement"
stupidity, the photos are totally different, I not mean that black girs photos are bad, no,but they are not equall, and will never be equall and it is stupid think make everything equal in that meaning, people are equal in their freedom, in laws, but man is never equal to woman and woman is never equal to man, life have different colours to be different, the lion is not equal to dog, the cat is not equal to cow, I think this is just a effort to make herself PR
Wtf? I see down sindrome models, obeze omdels called curvy, tattooed all over models, albino black models, transgender,come on, world!
I wish she wouldn't have straightened her hair
She is gorgeous! In all of the pictures, as good, if not better than the others.... except #9... I like the other girl in #9
nice but on the sicilian D&G model dont works...
ok but on the sicilian D&G dont works...😄
By reading the comments it's clear that most people do not understand the reason behind this and also do not understand how the modeling business works. It is not to simply recreate the pictures showing a black model or for her to expand her portfolio. The point of this is the show that black models can be used just as well as white models. In this industry most agencies and gigs require that the model be white, giving the impression that black models cannot give the same result. In consequence black models hardly ever get hired and there are less representations of black women in advertising. So the point of this is to show that black models can be used in the same way white models can. If you do not understand that then you do not understand the discrimination experience by not only black models, but every model who is of a visible ethnicity. It also means that you do not understand what discrimination is and the problems that people different from yourselves face.
Oh we understand... we just don't agree with the point being made. It's pretentious.
Point or self-advertising, who cares? She's doing both and she's doing it right! She's trying to find a way to make her dream come true and fighting for her own rights! You go girl! Best of luck, sistah! ♥
Too bad that companies paying for this advertising are trying to reach their target demographics and actually putting thought into what the models look like, otherwise someone might actually care.
She is pretty
I like how well she recreates these photos
She fucking rocked those!!!!!!
Personally I like the remake of the picture with the beutiful black women better.
All of the women featured in these pictures are so beautiful!! I think the point is to show that all women should be represented in the fashion industry.
She's stunning
I think the point would have come across better if they used more than one black model instead of the same one over and over.
Yes, I think she's more beautiful than each of the other models in the article, so I like her pics best, but it would make the point better if there were others. Especially since she was told, "We already have a black model"....wtf........
Oh no, you're right. The fact that she is the only model doesn't make this seem like free marketing at all. This shouldn't make us question.
Love that brown skin.
Absolutely great photos - both the model and the photographer.
it is nice stuffs
No matter what we do as a society, the black community will always feel like they are being discriminated against. It's ridiculous. I'm waiting for the reverse effect of all this BS, such as, a movie about the life and times of Malcolm X starring George Clooney as Malcolm X.
I'm confused. Could the SJWs help me out here? How is this helping an issue that impacts EVERYONE, not just a specific race such as 'black': Body Image. Are we supposed to say 'that's nice, let's bring more attention to 'race'!' when this is doing nothing to combat poor body image by girls of ALL colors...white, black, etc? Liberals are dumb. So dumb.
There's room for any discussion. This is about ETHNICITY - not "race".There's only 1 race: human. U're dumb if u don't know the difference
stupid
Too bad companies that are paying for these ads are preferential to the demographics they're trying to sell to, otherwise someone might care.
theyreallevenlyintimidatingtomoi
Will you do the recreations for the genders too? I mean, all the genders that are possible recently.
This comment is hidden. Click here to view.
Why they blacks just don't create their own brand and promote it however they like?
That's called segregation. Race isn't a brand, Rafael.
But I'm sure a brand can do well to promote racial identity.
the (18)50's called, even they don't want you back
it is an honest question. really. what holds them back?