Black cover models

This idea that black covers don't sell has been around for a while.

On another website a commentator says that according to a marie claire study, black readers don't see mags with black models on the cover as aspirational enough so don't buy them. other ideas are that black beauty isn't as universally accepted as white beauty, even by black magazine buyers, so again black covers don't sell.

why the silence from the editors? or the pass the buck response from GQ's ed?

Is this prevailing belief rooted in racism, or the actions of white and black buyers or is it a vicious cycle, where the lack of black covers feeds the belief and the sales follow suit?

Was Oluchi being high-strung, or correct in questioning why she couldn't be both editorial and cover girl?

WHy no coverage on Bizcommunity on this issue at all?

thoughts? (without the kneejerk racism please)