Trend spotting for the Times must be a difficult endeavor. After all, it’s hard to tell if just a small group of people are feeling dissatisfied with their South Hampton homes, or if it’s part of larger, widespread movement that speaks to the way we live now.

In this week’s Sunday Styles, Guy Trebay does find a real story: racism in modeling. He even talks to several black professionals in the modeling industry, including Jay Alexander. Yes, that Jay Alexander, the guy who teaches women in their twenties how to walk in heels.

This is a trend story paradox. By talking to Alexander, Trebay implies that America’s Next Top Model has some legitimacy, which is suspect enough. But the article proves that a non-white winner will be too “ethnic” to work outside of her Cover Girl ad.

And we just thought she would be too fat.