August 6, 2011 Do Black People Discriminate Against Dark Skin and Natural Hair?
by Dr. Boyce Watkins, Syracuse University – Scholarship in Action
I spent time watching a trailer for the film "Dark Girls," directed by Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry. Oddly enough, the clip was sent to me by a friend of mine who has spent her life being praised for being "light skinned-ed" and having the long, flowing hair of a black Marilyn Monroe. She eventually married a tall, dark man, leading me to wonder if she feels any guilt for receiving preferential treatment over something that should never have mattered at all.
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Permalink # 3rd I said
I have very dark skin and I’m very confident and comfortable with it. I understand how kids may feel ashamed or self conscious because of how society is and how harsh their piers are. I went through it. But I never wanted to have light skin. I’m was born and raised in New Orleans. If anyone knows how it is with the creole thing down here you can imagine how rough I had it as a child. I heard every black joke there is. Societal stereotypes have many of us thinging black is bad, dirty, dumb, and just plain no good. Education is the key. Know your history and embrace it.
Permalink # 3rd I said
I work with mostly whites and light skinned blacks. Every job I’ve had have been mostly white or lightself skinned black. Again, I’m from New Orleans. When I first started those jobs I sensed fear in them when they first saw me. Similarly how animals sense fear in people. I loved every minute of it because they looked at the skin. But I knew I was smarter. I looked at myself as a double threat. I always looked at it as a challenge. Even though I shouldn’t have to…..It is what it is!
Permalink # 3rd I said
I love everything about black and brown. I love my black people. Especially dark skinned women. There is nothing more beautiful in the world a chocolate sister. Sisters, don’t be ashamed of your skin. Have confidence and educate yourself. I have to check my friends because when we go out, every light skinned women they see they say she’s beautiful. And I say bullshit! I don’t know if they’re looking at face or skin. There are just as many unattractive light skinned women as there are dark. I’m dark and I want a dark woman but all I keep meeting is light skinned women. Don’t get me wrong…..I love all sisters. But there is nothing like have a smart , sexy, beautiful queen by your side.