DARK SKIN IS BLACK AND LIGHT SKIN IS NOT GET OVER IT. WE NEED TO STOP MIXED UP WITH UGLY PALE RACIST WHITES AND NON BLACK PPL AND MAKE MORE REAL DARK/BROWN SKIN BLACK SONS/KIDS BLACK LOVE THE BEST! OBAMA IS NOT BLACK HE WAS WHITE/JEWS PROJECT TO DESTROY REAL DARK SKIN BLACK PPL, KIDS, RACE AND CULTURE PLS MY BLACK PPL WAKE UP!
I love your video. Thanks for it. I feel people do make to much of a big deal about skin color. Im dark skinned and I have a sister that is light skinned and two men told me that she has a better advantage over me because she is light skinned. No matter what skin complexion we are all beautiful and we should love people no matter what their complexion, hair texture, race, religion, etc. I like that u said what make u you is not ur skin or hair but wut u value,love &do I wish other felt da same
You might have been priviledged, but that must have been a long time! I'm dark-skinned as far as I know, however rarely encountered any specific obstacle. The racism I had to deal was no different than what my other light-skinned siblings and friends had to deal with. At my college, many of the very educated Black folks are from Africa and they're very dark. All I can say is that White fear dark-skinned Black people more!
i agree with u, i am black america and caramel complexion. i have softer and looser curls. i got talked about in hair school because of being natural. but others told me they would never wear their hair like i do, their hair is too "nappy." Too white we are all black regardless. It matters most to our race what complexion we are!
To all non whites ( im hispanic) black is black and kinky is kinky, regardless of shade or tightness or looseness of curles, you still black and will make black babies.
Interesting topic indeed. You look dark to me and indeed I would never classify you as light skinned in any way. I think my family would all refer to you as a negrita, or black skinned but not in a derogatory way. If you are considered "light" within your black community, there must be some very dark people. Good hair? I think your hair looks kinky, but I guess its all relative to the culture you live in, as displayed by your descriptions of yourself. I mean nothing bad..just an observation.
I appreciate the fact that you are aware and acknowledge that you are in a seat of "privilege" as a light skinned African American woman. As a dark-skinned black woman in America, skin, hair, body type definitely impact how we view ourselves and each other. These deep seeded issues that we as black people have been brained washed to believe are important, are what separates us from one another and what will continue to separate us until we see the truth... That None of that really matters.
What is wrong with brown/black? I just think its really weird bc I brown skin has just as much appeal as other complexions....i guess its the political drama?
It's so wrong and you'd think in 2011 we'd have moved passed all this. But we haven't. There is so much shadeism, textureism, FOLKSISM in this world it's rediculous! I'd love to see a change. I love all textures of hair and all colours of skin, but I'm not crazy enough to think the whole world thinks the way I do. But I would love to see the day the world changes. :)
This is an old video, but this is a really hot topic right now. I think personally more skin tones are being accepted now, but "kinky" haired women will always have it harder. Why? Well, it's not that looser textures don't have issues, but mostly they are just PERSONAL issues. Wanting to be like their friends or whatever. BUT. The general public loves your loose curls. "Kinky" sistas just don't always get that love. In fact the tighter that curl gets, the less people "love" it.
I think you mean Mexican-American since in Mexico we are very aware Mexicans come in all races, colors, ethnic backgrounds, etc. We have tall, blonde hair, blue-eyed pale Mexicans and we have dark, black Mexicans, too. Chicanos (Mexican-Americans) are very close-minded when it comes to Mexico and its multicultural society.
Hi there. Something tells me any "privilege" you enjoy has little or nothing to do with your (African) skin color and far more to do with the fact that you speak "proper English". You're actually dark-skinned for a mulatto and blatantly African looking IMO. Not like the "racially ambiguous" biracials. Something tells me some Whites are less threatened by you simply because you sound "articulate". Just my take on it and sorry if I'm wrong. Good, thoughtful vid!
@CheezInspector Thanks for the comment. I want to respond to the mulatto comment. Most do not realize what a awful term that is to refer to oneself as and I will NEVER call myself such. It originated from the idea of the mule, bred for work, just as African descended persons on American soils were eventually. Mules rarely reproduce because they are half breeds, a cross between a mule and a horse. I am a human, of African and Mexican descent, American as it was the soil I was born upon.
I never think of myself as racially ambiguous or racially anything (except for human) for that matter because I don't believe in race as it is commonly understood. The privilege I speak of is not my own idea, but rather a theory presented in common sociology circles. There is white privilege, male privilege and so forth. Please feel free to peruse the blog commentary I've linked in the info box on my flip understanding of the skin issue. I think you'll really appreciate it.
This was a very good video! I really liked how you talked about the issue that has marred our people. You are so right sister that we need to talk about it! The only way to kill the ill of misinformed or trapped by the ignorance of the past is to TALK! I love all of my brothers and sisters in all hues and shades. At the end of the video is what impressed me the most. You talking to your son about skin. You and your husband are doing a fine job in raising him to value himself and all people.
her son is not black and anti look like his daddy that is why we hate fake azz mixed/light skin ppl only because they hated and killing us! born real dark skin black stay dark. dark skin and black love are the best!
ok i dont agree with the privilege sociological theory at all... Maybe in the black community, some individuals think that light skinned people are superior or more beautiful. But according to real white people, if you are light skinned or not, you are still a BLACK! If a white person is racist, he will ALSO be racist with the light skinned person. So theres no privilege at all. White people dont even see the difference, they just see that we are BLACK!
you taught him well! Please encourage him to keep thinking that way (and to share his thoughts with others) as he makes his way through the indoctrination center (aka school)
whiteness buys you privlege...in every aspect of life
sadly this includes issue of love.
black married couples where the woman is darker is rarer. this issue is worldwide btw I am from UK Nottingham the same scenario plays out because our history is the same....descend from an enslaved and colonised people inflicted by europeans...so this is Brazil (which has the largest black population outside africa) USA, Caribbean, UK, and Europe....Colourism is a worldwide problem for diasporic Africans.
Why was i sent this video SMH ,your black too you're talking as if your skin colour is so light your not even light im the same colour as you, and let me tell to i live in a white country (Australia) and it doesnt matter if your mariah carey light or wesley snipes dark your still BLACK and thats never going to change. Oh yea and your kid is sooooo cuteee!!!
I think we have to move on from colourism/shadeism. I think these discussions are just another thing holding black people (in North America, I'm Canadian) back from achieving more and rising to higher level of enlightenment.
This is my first time watching your video and I really like the way you present the argument and the examples you give. I think race and colour are thrown in our face so much that we have to move on.
I guess there is no real answer to give. Too many variables at play.
@ivorine1981 true people the answer is simple dont let the media or peoples views corrupt your self esteem and dont think the only type of success is either being a rapper etc or someones arm candy. true success is the best form of growing as a truelly beautiful human being.
I love this....I'm also studying race with women in my masters thesis and it was nice to see someone in the natural community who understood the concepts and institutions that really brought us to the point we are TWO THUMBS UP...p.s. its not just in the U.S. I live in Spain (now) and I deal with hair and skin issues all the time. I actually have made a video on my hair issues while living in Spain, check it out :) P.S. your son is gorgeous and I do the same thing with my hair when I wake up LOL
I'm sorry but the damage has been done and it's NEVER gonna stop now matter how aware we are.
We all know that black men typically gravitate towards lighter skinned females. I hear black men say "I love chocolate!" but it was always sexual, they never had any intension on dating or marrying her........
Light skin, Dark skin Issue is dead to me . . . A lot of people allow this to affect them and how they look at themselves. This is an issue that goes so deep, but how many of us are willing to address this and go deeper?
the first and main thing people wanted to point out was his coloration. He was born at the end of last year 2010, so yes, skin color is still an issue. It used to annoy me that I was referred to as 'yellow' growing up and somehow that foolishness has entered my psyche. When talking to my babies I never say "you're a handsome yellow or red/brown boy," it's "you're Mommy's smart, handsome man." When I go back home (to MS), however, practically every other reference to my infant is color...sad.
@crb714 I know what you mean! I used to get annoyed with people who know both my husband and I yet would insist my son looks exactly like me and not like his dad because his features are actually totally his father's but I felt like all they saw was his skin. My extended family asked my mom about son's color before anything when he was born. Not is he healthy, how much he weighed but is he light? SMH
Your little one is beautiful =). I clicked on this video because now, as a mother of two, I've become more aware of this differentiation. I recently gave birth to another wonderful son and he is darker than our other son. When the eldest was born I heard absolutely NOTHING about his complexion, however when this baby was born the comments were immediate. We've heard everything from "what a cute chocolate drop" to "he looks like he's Indian." As a mother it was a shock to me that...
Thank you so much first of all there are people who are very dark and have very loose curls and wavy :/ so skin color has nothing to do with hair ...2nd of all on the race thing i understand you completely i am 19 years old a sophomore in college i have never been called light skin to i came to college... also when people ask what i am i say half black half jamaican .... people get mad when i say that because they're like "oh you just don't want to be all black etc" ... i hate it, my mother
@iJam24 is Arawak indian (jamaican) people tend to believe only black people live in Jamaica that's why i don't tell people my ethnicity ... but i understand completely we're you are coming from ....thank you for this video so much
This is all simply an illusion...ur inner truth speaks outward..therefore if u feel inferior u will b treated as such..beauty is simply an outward reflection of confidence. Light skin or dark skin we all have a story...loving urself is key!!
(cont) I am where I am (professionaly) because I work my butt off. I always try to deliver the best work, am creative, have ideas and am good to people. Thats what gets me the jobs. Having 4z hair is a non-issue in this regard.
(cont) I often feel proud wearing my hair like this. In Africa I have seen many professional women and also kids in the slums wearing their hair straight, whenever I meet them I hope to send a message that it's really not necessary to compromise on your natural hair. I interact with heads of states but also with people that only have the clothes they're wearing. My hair is *always* the same. That is 4z!
I rock a natural fro and wear the protective style (twists). I guess I have 4z hair :)
My father is white (blond hair blue eyes) my mother is black like Alek Wek.
Wearing my 4z hair natural is not a barriere in my career. I get the amazing assigments, whereby I can travel around the world and meet interesting people. Recently I was in an Asian country where not many people of African decent go to. People thought I was wearing a wig :) Usually people are fascinated.
im generally speaking lightskinned, but I've only been sort of followed in the store once. the thing about the burning and becoming a scab was greusome but true. same person inside :)
There are still issues based on color. The obvious example at hand is why this brown skinned woman refers to herself as light skinned? She mentions others brownness but, is oblivious to her own brown skin and African features. She mentions her mother is browner that she is perhaps she's the lightest in her family. I suppose my feeling is some of this privlage she imagines is based on how she comports. With that being said she does raise some truths I just do not see how these are her truths.
@Roxberrie you assume "this woman" is oblivious. but case in point, if "this woman," who happens to be a real person who reads her comments, "if this woman" was oblivious, she would not have taken the time out, and in spite of her anxiety about the topic, felt it was important enough to bring up to her audience. any truth I speak on is my own, especially this one. I am a twice brown woman. I am too dark to one half my family and too light to the other.
@Roxberrie I am a real flesh and blood person who addresses taboo topics. Feel free to read the additional commentary in my blog link posted in the info box, not spoken of in the video because it was already too long. You are simply an anonymous comment. You are not brown black or white. Your ethnicity is void. You are a default avatar with a pseudonym, yet you attempt to invalidate my truths. Nice try.
You have such a beautiful little boy!!! Firstly, I'd like to say it's nice to listen to an intellectual in regards to natural hair and the societal viewpoints of others based on the superficial(I hope that made sense). I found you via Taren. I'm soooo subscribing!!! I like you (not in a crazy, stalker-ish way, LOL) Happy *SUPER-DUPER* Belated B-Day, and Happy Valentine's Day!!
"You're such a handsome little boy." "I know." "Go to sleep." LOL Your family is so cute. I've been here on youtube for quite a while now but I haven't made any videos yet. I think I'm gonna do a response to this one though, because this colorism thing is very real and I don't want it to continue. I don't want the kids to inherit this way of thinking.
Hi, I am an light skin/brown skin black male. And I agree with you on the issue of the light skin, dark skin african american debate. It is sad yet, true. That there is an serious issue in the black commnity of our complections. I have be told by other african americans that I think that I am better than my darker skin male counter parts because my ligher skin tone. I sometimes fell isolated from my own black community. I am happy that you decided to post this video and talk about this issue!
i love your sons afro 2 hun bless him hes right were all different it would be rubbish if we weren't not to say confusing but we are all the same on the inside
when i was small my little friend a colored girl who lived next door was very dark skinned shed say god forgot to bake me lol and ide say well girlie he left u in oven to long wed have a laugh the worlds changed people take color to seriously its very sad i was milky bar to and she was twix shed dance about saying no one like white choc and ide laugh my ass of but ide always say it dont matter what color u are god loves us all and theres good and bad in all and on the inside u cant tell wt ur
color issues exist. there are still family elders teaching youngsters to internalize self-hatred by comparing the skin tone of the children in the family or by commenting on how easy & more enjoyable it is to do one child's hair than another's. people still say things like "she's pretty ... to be dark skinned." and there could be a Yo Mama book published JUST with jokes that start with "yo mama so black ..." colorism still exists & like racism, probably always will. just being honest.
here is the reality. if this planet were made up of NOTHING but the same color brown-skinned people with identical hair texture, there would STILL be something that would create division: eye/nose/lip shape, teeth, shape of fingers/toes, long torso vs short torso, long neck vs. short neck, short vs. tall stature, etc. sometimes just the subtle differences between people are enough to make people covet what others have and to hate what they were born with.
Racism, Colorism, Hair Textur-ism (?) is sad and starts at a young age. We, as women, are taught at a young age to be dissatisfied with our bodies and body parts. And for me, I created constraints for 'blackness' to deal with being dissatisfied with my dark complexion. For so long, I refused to accept bi-racial women or those who (at that time when I was younger and ignorant) phenotypically appeared to be bi-racial as black (you would have probably been included).
I watched your video more than a week ago, but your thoughts/questions haven't left my mind. As a medium-dark skinned woman (cappachino-colored), I have seen 'light-skinned' privilege in action. I was proud when my mother who is KinkyTresses' complexion picked me up from school because I felt it made me 'better' than just some dark skinned girl. I even attempted to use cheap bleaching creams to make my skin lighter through middle and high school (Needless to say, they never worked!).
That is crazy! I was just talking about this with a friend. There is definitely colorism going on, even me not being extremely light or extremely dark, I am constantly asked "why don't you perm or press your hair or something." I think that hair has much to do with it. the stereotype is long straight light skinned and short 'nappy' brown skin. I think it is total bullcrap. I think it very much exists and needs to be talked about. I think, also, that many get these views from those around them.
Also we talked about dating because I couldn't start dating until I turned 16 she asks me what type of guys would I date and I describe to her the personalities she said no complexion I said all types of shades she said I can't date dark guys I was like wtf the guy your dating now is dark skinned I don't understand ... She just frustrated me I've dealt with anything like date until I started high school
The only time I think I've ever dealt with your darker I'm lighter thing is when I started high school 3 years ago and than when I started this college preparatory class (upward bound) my ex best friend always said I'm chocolate , I'm darker I really didn't have a problem and than she will tell me she's lighter than me & than I would say your the exact same color as me... I don't understand & than she would get furious after 3 years of friendship I had to let her go
"Privilege???" Just seems kind of odd on how you said it, but I've never dealt with this issue in my family my sisters, grandma, mother, and I come in all different shades of color.. Education is more important to me I've never felt less than the next because of complexion.
@filmsuga92 The term "privilege" that I'm using here is a bit different than the standard dictionary term that most are familiar with. Google "male privilege" "white privilege" or even "light skin privilege." I really hope that you do not have to experience what I and many of the other commenters are talking about, but as you grow older and experience the world outside of your high school and family, it is quite possible that you will encounter these things. Of course that does not mean it will
@SumKindaWndrful will hinder you in any way. Each of us decides what we allow to hold us back and push us forward. Perhaps having an understanding of this before you encounter it will enable you to overcome these matters. I certainly hope so!
Hi Sweety..... being from South Africa and "coloured" I sooooo understand what you mean...Yes it is a problem and has been for a long time... I think that it will be a long while before we move past this....I have so much to say on this topic but it's better face to face....(one day when we meet in Chicago again...hahahah) for a meetup ok...
Very well said! I think I may do a response to this video as well cause I have a lot to say on the subject being in your position as the light skin one with "curls" as well.... Thanks so much for this video :-)
I do not agree that light skinned comes w priviledge...Being educated and having class are way bigger issues to focus on. Many Africans come to this country who are very dark and have great success. I think white people are much more concerned with class and money than the color or shade of our skin. I think many dark skin women focus on their color so much that their insecurity becomes obvious to others. I am brown skin and have never felt inferior to any light skinned woman.
@one2keepitrl just to be sure, I am not equating privilege to wealth or success but rather opportunity and treatment. The definition I am using is not my own but one that has already been established.
I personally feel that light skin women as well as dark skin women worry about their complexion. Some light skin women feel that they me be too light and are not black enough for their counter parts. They are called lght bright and damn near white. Darker women are get compliments like you're pretty for a dark skin girl and see more glorified light skin women in the media so they may feel like america does not see them as equal beauties when compared to light skin women.
My ligh skin friend wanted to have pretty brown babies. I also know dark skin women who date lighter men to have brown babies. There are hurts and insecurities on both sides of the fence. It appears that dark skin women are more insecure because society sends the message that they should be insecure because they are inferior.
You cant control how other people view you, but you can control how you decide to respond to things. In life there are so many things that can hold you back (race, gender etc) but you decide how whether you use those things as a crutch to hold you back or if you'll use those obstacles to push you forward. Once you start focusing on whats on the inside, skin color really becomes unimportant and you'll learn to love yourself just the way God made you.
So many issues still exists that sadly shouldnt. Thank you for posting this video because i never saw the issue from the other side of the fence. Growing up dark skinned for me was HELL. Alot of my family members are light and mixed and alot of my friends were lighter than me too so i was teased alot. I never resented light skinned people i just hated myself. Now that i'm grown, going through that adversity has made me who i am today (cont)
well, we are all brown....brown in various shades, including you.....5:20 - 5:45 was very interesting... you named yourself as light skin and then seemed to stumble while describing the darker women because they were not "dark dark" as you put it. Dark skinned is not a bad word. But when you call someone something...anything and then retract it to try to soften it you make it a bad word...ie, she's big, but not big big....just round.
@tonidaley80 I meant literally the majority of the women in the room were not dark skin. They were all brown, not light brown or dark brown just brown. So I didn't see it as retracting. However, the entire video I experienced extreme anxiety in trying to talk about a subject which many have told me (since posting) I have no authority in. I was not trying to soften any thing but instead trying to say exactly what I meant. I also tell people I am brown despite others trying to tell me I am not.
hair and skin do still matter..and first we have to start by correcting the problems in Black communities throughout the world starting with the USA....and how?...you did right there at the end of your video with your child...stop raising our kids around the good hair good skin color mentality...we do it to ourselves...then once society doesn't accept us for who we REALLY are...we will handle that issue
I think this philosophy that light skin black folk have privilege over dark skin black folk is ridiculous. I have a few friends who are Jet black who have achieved promotion after promotion based on their credentials. One is a vice president of a large banking entity. He started out mid-level because of his education and worked his way up. When it comes to highly successful position it's based on credentials not light skin vs black. Maybe that's how they choose secretaries but not bosses.
@OliCampify Saying only "ghetto" people think like that only adds to the stigma...I know several well educated , wealthy, "living on the hill" PhD's who aren't "ghetto" (in the mainstream sense) who still BELIEVE and TEACH many of the myths that have plagued women of color then and now. the difference is that sometimes people learn to hide it better but I assure you that it is not something limited to a socioeconomic group...
@cvq201 i never implied that it was linked to any group only ignorant human beings.
and its so sad people argue over whats considered light skin and whats considered dark skin and orange and green skin blah blah blah.lool. i live in england and i have never be called dark, brown or chocolate etc.
and i will be visiting nyc soon lets see if i get those 'compliments'.
@WhereYaBoss I'm sure if u sat down and asked ur friends they will say they worked twice as hard as their lighter (other ethnic) counterparts to attain and retain the positions they have. This is even more profound the higher up the corporate ladder (i.e. bosses more than secretaries). In fact, there are terms for it: white privillege, the glass ceiling,etc. Studies done in this century show employers commenting that they trust, believe in and readily hire lighter skin persons over darker skin.
@cvq201 Then how do you explain the large number of black people with prestigous positions? I belong to a few organizations and attend a number of seminars and gatherings across the country and have had the pleasure of associating with women and men much, much darker than me in high level positions. These people oversees thousands of people who happen to be white, latino, asian, black, etc. How do you think they are getting these positions over their lighter counterparts?
and black men. Honestly, when it comes to colorism. I think yes there is some stigma, but it is something that can be easily overcomed. It doesn't bother me much anymore.. when I was little and going through puberty it did though. I never felt pretty and I thought it was cause I was dark. As I grow older and know I'm beautiful and I know the power is within me to overcome any stereotype. I go to a top law school and I have 8 interviews at the countries top firm (I'm only a 1L). We as a people
I mean I'm Haitian and even though it is a primarily black country there are issues with color there. Light skin people get treated better and get elected to office. I consider myself dark skin but people tell me I'm brown (like its a compliment and I shouldn't lower myself by thinking I'm dark... that's how I precieve it lol). Initial perceptions of me at school were lower expectations but after people get a chance to interact with me they know I'm smart. I'm always told i'm beautiful by white
You know I always seen colorism as something that was more between men and women. I don't feel like colorism is that big of a deal for men. Women tend to care less about tthe outer appearance so I don't think guys ever really see the issue with color atleast when it comes to them. I always thought skin like hair was more of a beauty issue with women just like weight. When I talk to men they never tend to be very insecure about their skin (unless they are really dark and were always picked on).
Happy Birthday! I have had some issues being a darker woman. I have in the past felt inferior to lighter women in a "white" world believing they have the upper hand on jobs, men and better hair. Now that I am older and love myself (I believe that if you love yourself it makes all the difference) I am more confident in who I am and not how I look. I was natural for 5 yrs and now I am texturized to better manage my hair. I am losing weight for better health. I AM DOING ME!! Thanks for the vid.
These issues are serious but we cant change the past. I'm ready to move forward from this. We need to recognize how mind fu@$#d we got in the past and work to stop giving it the energy and attention it craves. The best way to battle this is through education, educated dialog and acting indifferent to it.
raped by a white man and kept the "whiteness", by marrying fellow light skinned people. Or to even claim that 1/8th of a tenth of Seminole Native American blood. Get over it, you're black.
pale skinned caucasion, or blonde, is dark. Italians are considered dark, French, Middle Eastern, etc. You are dark skinned, deal with it." She then looked at me as if I called a her mother out of her name and said, "Oh, in that case I guess I am dark." I just looked at her and shooked my head. I just couldn't, and still can't understand the sheer disgust of being called dark. It's always annoyed me that African Americans thinks it's someting of privelage to have had a great-grandmother whom was
Happy birthday!!! I have many experiences regarding shadeism/colorism. My bestfriend of eleven years and I were having a discussion about my husband's brother. I stated to her that his brother prefers darker skinned women. She rolled her eyes and stated "I guess I'm not his type." I looked at her with a blank stare and said "Um, yes you are. You are dark skinned." She got in a huff and scoffed, "I am not dark skinned." I retorted and said, "Um, yes you are. Any person who isn't a fiery red......
Happy Belated Birthday, SumKindaWndrful! In my opinion this issue is also prevalent in the Bahamian community too. It's obvious when I hear people who have lighter skin or looser textured hair being described (by darker skinned people) as the ones with the 'pretty mango' skin or 'pretty' hair (as if to say that their own skin/ hair isn't also pretty). It's a way of thinking that's been passed down from generation to generation. But I refuse to let society define what 'beauty' is to me anymore.
I've dealt with this my whole life and the sad part is that it started in house, not only for my skin but for my hair and I've always been on the heavier side...Im a dark skin latina who is embracing everything that God gave me, everything he made is perfect....happy birthday
The issue is not limited to just black people...it is an issue in the Latino community too. There are many Latinos that give preference to light-skinned Latinas just like blacks give preference to light skinned people in our community...I even saw on Oprah that Asian women use cremes to lighten there skin b/c light skin is considered prettier in their culture... I think that the issue of skin color is really lame. It's just another way to cause division among people. The BS needs to stop.
Your son is too cute! And I talk about this all the time. I'm brown skin, and I have a dark skin friend that calls me light skin just bc she is darker. And she thinks that it looks better then her skin. I HATE colorism! I don't make video's but I might try it bc u r right. I have so much to say about this topic that it won't fit into a comment. I always ask why people think that light skinned girls are stuck up. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. I have met stuck up dark skinned woman. It's a crying SHAME!
@sterlingking Please please please do make a video. I don't talk about it much here but colorism does negatively affect lighter persons as well. I just posted a blog about that, the flip of it and the link is in the info box if you want to read it.
Your most poignant expression was what you said about if your skin burned off...you'd still be the same person. And just to show you how ridiculous societal standards of beauty are...you would actually become and outcast. Looked down upon because burned skin is not "pretty". This society is completely messed up.
In high school I experienced this. The boys openly said they prefer the lighter skinned girls over the darker skinned girls. There were some exceptions though (body type for example). Some even told me they were upset that I cut my hair (it was mid- back length and I cut in during my junior year because of the damage due to relaxing). I know not all men are like that, but it's interesting looking back then up today, men of other races ask me out more than black men do. =/
Happy Birthday......I really enjoyed this video the message was so powerful. I am a dark brown sister who has never experience any of the light skin Dark issue's. but my heart does go out to anyone who has ever had a negative experience concerning skin color. I've heard so many sad stories from dark skin sisters that I meet while living here in the south. I grew up Up north I was the only black in my class for years. but still no issues no Skin or Hair issues not even with my on race
well I'm dark skinned and I've never experience any of what you said so I can't speak on it...and if you read my message on my channel you can see this has no affect what so ever on me and my family :)
son is light skinned. I have whites and Africans who have married into family. I have more half white nephews and nieces than I do black nephews and nieces. So... maybe this just makes me super motivated to get on with the get on. Which is to acknowledge, love, accept, and celebrate all the different races and colors that God has made. Speaking of getting on with the get on - Happy Bday!!!
@maximuslyricus I always love your comments! "I don't let folks colorism preferences affect anything over which I have control" exactly. This, I believe is why some may feel it's not that serious while others do. My mom has this same attitude. She is closer to dark brown though in between, if that makes sense, and she raised us to KNOW that no one has any control over what we can achieve except ourselves. I saw her accomplish all she set her heart to and do the same. But I never though her...
Respond to this video... hard efforts could be because of her skin color. I'[m not sure that it is, but I know I will never hear her say she can't or she is treated worse because of it. I believe acknowledging, loving and accepting and celebrating is key. If I can only instill that in my son, then I have accomplished much. Thanks!
we've done it for more than 17 years now and no one's been hurt. Is enjoying and appreciating the differences wrong? Of course not! Whether the differences between people be race, color, hair texture, etc, there's nothing wrong with acknowledging the differences. Only then can we get to a place of acceptance and celebration of all the differences. I am a dark skinned African American. My husband is light skinned. My
"Don't talk about hair texture! Don't ask about my hair texture! Talking about hair texture differences assumes that one hair texture is better than another!" I have 4b hair. I love it, I'm proud of it, I'm thankful, for it, and I wouldn't trade it for any other texture. My husband has 2A hair. And I luv luv luv running my fingers through it. Is acknowledgement of the difference between me and my hubby's hair wrong? Well,
understand that all races and colors are acceptable and beautiful. But b4 we can get there, we must first come to a place whereby we are comfortable seeing the differences.
Which is why I don't like people's discomfort or nonacceptance of acknowledging, much less even talking about differences. Here in the natural hair youtube community what comes to mind is hair texture. Right now the current school of thought seems to be
people's prejudices regarding colorism. I'm sure that, without me knowing, I've probably been discriminated against because of my dark color. But I don't let folks colorism preferences affect anything over which I have control. If someone is unwise enough to say anything in my presence regarding their colorism issues, I set them straight. I think that all people, no matter their race or color, just need to get to the place where we
are in a group of blacks feel - only they may feel even more uncomfortable. But as u moved forward and talked about the privileges your light skin have afforded u, I was like "A ha! I knew this was happening!" U wanted me to talk about this on a personal level and so I shall. I am dark skinned. If u asked my husband to describe me in one word he wud say "bullheaded". So because of my "bullheadedness", I've never entertained
Good Afternoon Bria! First of all - your son is cute cute cute! Now....What do I think? Well...I guess I think many things. In no special order... I think that although the impact of colorism varies all the way from almost nothing to a great deal on the individual, it is apparently still a real factor in our society. As u talked about your own discomfort discussing the issue in that group, I did think that this is probably how white people who
Happy birthday mines is on the 27th woo hoo!!! Ur son is so cute!! Good topic, people have always told me because of my light skin I get priviledges didn't really believe it...
***HEY LADY I FOUND YOU (its me Jessica!! lol) Thank you for the shoutout and for reopening the discussion on Colorism. I am thinking of starting a blog that allows for more people to share their experiences.***
@MsMochaDiva yay! I was tying to find you on FB last night but couldn't. I was too lazy to open my email. Look at all the comments and see what you started! :-)
Your son is too gosh darn cute. Hey, girl, Happy Birthday to you. Mine is on the 25th. I believe that all of this comes from ignorance. I appreciate you for educating us on this topic. I use to think that if my hair was like my mother's I wouldn't have a hard time with life in general. I'd say this stupid thought to myself. Since I decided to go natural, I've notice how bad we have a problem being black. My dad is dark brn. I've got to prvte msg you.
This is not so much about loving everyone/having a Kumbaya moment but raising a mentally sound child. A child who think that skin color/hair/weight or wealth is the holy grail to happiness or the main stability to a good life is going have a hard time in this world.
More acceptable you start to believe it and turn on eachother. Make the change you want to see and stop the cycle. History is to be learned from and we right now are the history of our future generations so why not make it a positive one where changes were made? It starts with each one of us. Love and peace to ALL my sisters.xxx
Happy Birthday!!! Very interesting topic and so sad to hear that it is still very prevalent in the US. I'm from the UK and while we do get the annoying "good hair" statements from time to time, shade-ism doesn't appear to be an issue in the same way. I think the media have a lot to do with that as black people are much less represented compared to our white counterparts but when we are all shades are represented. I believe if you are fed a hierarchy visually about what is considered more accep
Happy Birthday ! My birthday was the 20th. I am so loving the interaction between you and your son...it is wonderful. On the topic of the day, I will have to think about this question...because you are a thinker you will always ponder situations like these.
OMG, your son is adorable!! This skin treatment is very real and unfortunately in this system of things, people focus on irrationalities. Its hard for people to focus on what really matters and stop the mental color hierarchy, self hatred, insecurities. People are brainwashed and its unfortunate that we cannot rise above this and deal with resolving other issues like hunger, violence, war. In this world, people concentrate on things that separate us whether it be money, prestigious jobs, etc
@1nails1 It's actually a small ankh, though the Egyptian Coptic church adopted it as their cross. Nonetheless, I have not been a witness since I was 16yo. My mother disassociated herself and I continued on with my father. But the people in the congregation I grew up in began to treat me as a cancer because she left. I didn't even live with her. My friends could no longer spend time with me and my own JW family (my uncle and his fam) distanced themselves from me. When I heard racist comments
@SumKindaWndrful being said about my mother, who is black and the congregation was White and Mexican, I couldn't take it anymore. I left as well. I was never baptized but I don't intend to go back.
I honestly don't believe that all the black men marrying white women is because they are in love with them, but in love with the idea of what their children will look like. I myself have been treated different because I am dark skinned and I have caught myself falling into the same trap, but I make a conscious decision not to follow popular belief and look at a person true self to judge their overall beauty.
Just like you will never really wipe out terrorism, racism, self-hate within cultures. It should not matter but sadly it does. It has become steadily prevalent throughout the years. In the 80s videos consisted of a spectrum of women of color high yellow to dark skinned sistahs. Now videos consist of a spectrum of bi-racials to women of different cultures in the video with one or two dark skinned sistahs in the background.
ok, I did my video response, I hope I attached it correctly, this is an issue that I do feel very strongly about being reared in the south and being a black woman for 50 years. PEACE. Yes, it is real and no it is not right but it still exist and no we are not gonna "get over it"!
We use the phrase ' good hair ' for lighter skin persons
I hear mothers shouting to their kids to stay out the sun so that they won't 'get black'
and females down here bleach their skin like crazy!
personally when i'm with my cousins who are lighter than me , its glaringly obvious that they catch the attention first all the time.....(not knocking my cuzzies' they are gorg! its just how it is)
@21bahamas My sis in law is so determined to stay out the sun she never lets us go to the beach until 5p whenever I'm in Nassau. That skin bleaching is serious too. She was using Ambi religiously but didn't know it was bleaching. She believed it would "fade" scars but I had to explain it to her. Her face was getting different than the rest of her body!
This topic is really bothersome. My friend is light complexion and she talks about how certain dark black people don't like her because she is light. I say Everyone of them that's crazy to me. I think it has gone to her head. I think they don't like her cause of her attitude of superiority. Then she says I don't understand because I'm in between. "What the heck does that mean" Cause I'm neither light or dark! Wow
@tabbykat329 That's always the point I make with others when they get into the shadeism,racism...even sexism and weightism trip.How it effects you depends on how you were raised, your sensitivity to outside stimuli and dependency on what others think. I was lucky enough to be raised in a mixed extended family who got more excited over education and drive to be better in career/business...we were not perfect and had our drama but most of us didn't go crazy over color or year.
@pepperrgirl After saying that, It was a different story when I started elementary school in the Caribbean and went to my friends' home or listen to them talk. The energy was very different in each. One would harp on color and see lighter color regardless anything else as better. The child with the lighter skin would assume they were better/the dark child ..themselves...not so pretty because they were constantly told this - it was almost like a conditioning/Pavlov experiment.
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DARK SKIN IS BLACK AND LIGHT SKIN IS NOT GET OVER IT. WE NEED TO STOP MIXED UP WITH UGLY PALE RACIST WHITES AND NON BLACK PPL AND MAKE MORE REAL DARK/BROWN SKIN BLACK SONS/KIDS BLACK LOVE THE BEST! OBAMA IS NOT BLACK HE WAS WHITE/JEWS PROJECT TO DESTROY REAL DARK SKIN BLACK PPL, KIDS, RACE AND CULTURE PLS MY BLACK PPL WAKE UP!
blckla999 1 week ago
I love your video. Thanks for it. I feel people do make to much of a big deal about skin color. Im dark skinned and I have a sister that is light skinned and two men told me that she has a better advantage over me because she is light skinned. No matter what skin complexion we are all beautiful and we should love people no matter what their complexion, hair texture, race, religion, etc. I like that u said what make u you is not ur skin or hair but wut u value,love &do I wish other felt da same
affiliateinfobiz 2 weeks ago
You might have been priviledged, but that must have been a long time! I'm dark-skinned as far as I know, however rarely encountered any specific obstacle. The racism I had to deal was no different than what my other light-skinned siblings and friends had to deal with. At my college, many of the very educated Black folks are from Africa and they're very dark. All I can say is that White fear dark-skinned Black people more!
amasonga 4 weeks ago
hair school sorry for all the posts, i got distracted...
kiwitooable 2 months ago
i mean't to white people, and by the way i'm in my thirties and just graduated from school.
kiwitooable 2 months ago
i agree with u, i am black america and caramel complexion. i have softer and looser curls. i got talked about in hair school because of being natural. but others told me they would never wear their hair like i do, their hair is too "nappy." Too white we are all black regardless. It matters most to our race what complexion we are!
kiwitooable 2 months ago
To all non whites ( im hispanic) black is black and kinky is kinky, regardless of shade or tightness or looseness of curles, you still black and will make black babies.
936justme 2 months ago
He is so cute!
lwiggins2able 2 months ago
aww he is so cute !
pinkdazzlin 3 months ago
Your son is so cute : )
lisadscott 3 months ago
Interesting topic indeed. You look dark to me and indeed I would never classify you as light skinned in any way. I think my family would all refer to you as a negrita, or black skinned but not in a derogatory way. If you are considered "light" within your black community, there must be some very dark people. Good hair? I think your hair looks kinky, but I guess its all relative to the culture you live in, as displayed by your descriptions of yourself. I mean nothing bad..just an observation.
jamescabernet1 3 months ago
I appreciate the fact that you are aware and acknowledge that you are in a seat of "privilege" as a light skinned African American woman. As a dark-skinned black woman in America, skin, hair, body type definitely impact how we view ourselves and each other. These deep seeded issues that we as black people have been brained washed to believe are important, are what separates us from one another and what will continue to separate us until we see the truth... That None of that really matters.
luvelyjay 3 months ago
i feel the exact same way i'm half Black/Mexican and i'm never Black enough nor Mexican enough its ridiculous.
leciberlanga 3 months ago
Man, I don't care what colour my kids are. As long as they're beautiful and mine. :)
BassBwoy3 4 months ago
What is wrong with brown/black? I just think its really weird bc I brown skin has just as much appeal as other complexions....i guess its the political drama?
melanin12345 4 months ago in playlist More videos from SumKindaWndrful 2
omg he is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute <3
aishacadenza 4 months ago
AWW HES SO CUTE! HE LOOKS JUST LIKE MY NEPHEW
lexiegrl147 5 months ago
Dark Skinned is black and Light Skinned is not get over it!
hotplaye999 5 months ago
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DAMN YALL NIGGERS ARE THE DUMBEST MUTHAFUCKAZ ON THE PLANET!!!
LACLiPPERZ 5 months ago
It's so wrong and you'd think in 2011 we'd have moved passed all this. But we haven't. There is so much shadeism, textureism, FOLKSISM in this world it's rediculous! I'd love to see a change. I love all textures of hair and all colours of skin, but I'm not crazy enough to think the whole world thinks the way I do. But I would love to see the day the world changes. :)
Jen
BlackAngelPlayah 5 months ago
This is an old video, but this is a really hot topic right now. I think personally more skin tones are being accepted now, but "kinky" haired women will always have it harder. Why? Well, it's not that looser textures don't have issues, but mostly they are just PERSONAL issues. Wanting to be like their friends or whatever. BUT. The general public loves your loose curls. "Kinky" sistas just don't always get that love. In fact the tighter that curl gets, the less people "love" it.
BlackAngelPlayah 5 months ago
I think you mean Mexican-American since in Mexico we are very aware Mexicans come in all races, colors, ethnic backgrounds, etc. We have tall, blonde hair, blue-eyed pale Mexicans and we have dark, black Mexicans, too. Chicanos (Mexican-Americans) are very close-minded when it comes to Mexico and its multicultural society.
paoadabelle 5 months ago
@paoadabelle Thank you. I agree because my Mexican family believes they are America before anything else!
SumKindaWndrful 5 months ago
That was the most beautiful boy i have seen in my life. That face is perfect. Congratulations for you son, he's soo cute.
antonelaaco88 6 months ago
Hi there. Something tells me any "privilege" you enjoy has little or nothing to do with your (African) skin color and far more to do with the fact that you speak "proper English". You're actually dark-skinned for a mulatto and blatantly African looking IMO. Not like the "racially ambiguous" biracials. Something tells me some Whites are less threatened by you simply because you sound "articulate". Just my take on it and sorry if I'm wrong. Good, thoughtful vid!
CheezInspector 6 months ago
@CheezInspector Thanks for the comment. I want to respond to the mulatto comment. Most do not realize what a awful term that is to refer to oneself as and I will NEVER call myself such. It originated from the idea of the mule, bred for work, just as African descended persons on American soils were eventually. Mules rarely reproduce because they are half breeds, a cross between a mule and a horse. I am a human, of African and Mexican descent, American as it was the soil I was born upon.
SumKindaWndrful 6 months ago 4
I never think of myself as racially ambiguous or racially anything (except for human) for that matter because I don't believe in race as it is commonly understood. The privilege I speak of is not my own idea, but rather a theory presented in common sociology circles. There is white privilege, male privilege and so forth. Please feel free to peruse the blog commentary I've linked in the info box on my flip understanding of the skin issue. I think you'll really appreciate it.
SumKindaWndrful 6 months ago 4
Finally, I want to say, again, thank you sincerely for your input!
SumKindaWndrful 6 months ago
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CheezInspector 6 months ago
This was a very good video! I really liked how you talked about the issue that has marred our people. You are so right sister that we need to talk about it! The only way to kill the ill of misinformed or trapped by the ignorance of the past is to TALK! I love all of my brothers and sisters in all hues and shades. At the end of the video is what impressed me the most. You talking to your son about skin. You and your husband are doing a fine job in raising him to value himself and all people.
magnifyhm 7 months ago 2
hes making the leave me alone face at the end LOL
EnvelopedInDarkness 7 months ago
her son is not black and anti look like his daddy that is why we hate fake azz mixed/light skin ppl only because they hated and killing us! born real dark skin black stay dark. dark skin and black love are the best!
blackboysports 7 months ago
<3 Aww one of the CUTEST kids I have ever seen!! <3
acts238111 8 months ago
ok i dont agree with the privilege sociological theory at all... Maybe in the black community, some individuals think that light skinned people are superior or more beautiful. But according to real white people, if you are light skinned or not, you are still a BLACK! If a white person is racist, he will ALSO be racist with the light skinned person. So theres no privilege at all. White people dont even see the difference, they just see that we are BLACK!
idontluv92 8 months ago
you taught him well! Please encourage him to keep thinking that way (and to share his thoughts with others) as he makes his way through the indoctrination center (aka school)
BlackCottonBella 9 months ago
these issues are a symptom of being colonised
PICKYHEADOLOGY 9 months ago 2
whiteness buys you privlege...in every aspect of life
sadly this includes issue of love.
black married couples where the woman is darker is rarer. this issue is worldwide btw I am from UK Nottingham the same scenario plays out because our history is the same....descend from an enslaved and colonised people inflicted by europeans...so this is Brazil (which has the largest black population outside africa) USA, Caribbean, UK, and Europe....Colourism is a worldwide problem for diasporic Africans.
PICKYHEADOLOGY 9 months ago
just wanting everyone to know, shadeism pretty much only prevelant in America, parts of Africa and South Asian countries. it doesnt go on everywhere.
ambercjay 9 months ago
i love your son's hair. i'm growing my son's hair out too. it's all about the big hair! lol
FatBabyCheeks 9 months ago
Why was i sent this video SMH ,your black too you're talking as if your skin colour is so light your not even light im the same colour as you, and let me tell to i live in a white country (Australia) and it doesnt matter if your mariah carey light or wesley snipes dark your still BLACK and thats never going to change. Oh yea and your kid is sooooo cuteee!!!
ROFLyaz 9 months ago
I think we have to move on from colourism/shadeism. I think these discussions are just another thing holding black people (in North America, I'm Canadian) back from achieving more and rising to higher level of enlightenment.
This is my first time watching your video and I really like the way you present the argument and the examples you give. I think race and colour are thrown in our face so much that we have to move on.
I guess there is no real answer to give. Too many variables at play.
ivorine1981 9 months ago 2
@ivorine1981 true people the answer is simple dont let the media or peoples views corrupt your self esteem and dont think the only type of success is either being a rapper etc or someones arm candy. true success is the best form of growing as a truelly beautiful human being.
OliCampify 9 months ago
I love this....I'm also studying race with women in my masters thesis and it was nice to see someone in the natural community who understood the concepts and institutions that really brought us to the point we are TWO THUMBS UP...p.s. its not just in the U.S. I live in Spain (now) and I deal with hair and skin issues all the time. I actually have made a video on my hair issues while living in Spain, check it out :) P.S. your son is gorgeous and I do the same thing with my hair when I wake up LOL
cvq201 9 months ago
I'm sorry but the damage has been done and it's NEVER gonna stop now matter how aware we are.
We all know that black men typically gravitate towards lighter skinned females. I hear black men say "I love chocolate!" but it was always sexual, they never had any intension on dating or marrying her........
myronmlawing 9 months ago
Light skin, Dark skin Issue is dead to me . . . A lot of people allow this to affect them and how they look at themselves. This is an issue that goes so deep, but how many of us are willing to address this and go deeper?
MsPrettiBrown 9 months ago
the first and main thing people wanted to point out was his coloration. He was born at the end of last year 2010, so yes, skin color is still an issue. It used to annoy me that I was referred to as 'yellow' growing up and somehow that foolishness has entered my psyche. When talking to my babies I never say "you're a handsome yellow or red/brown boy," it's "you're Mommy's smart, handsome man." When I go back home (to MS), however, practically every other reference to my infant is color...sad.
crb714 10 months ago 3
@crb714 I know what you mean! I used to get annoyed with people who know both my husband and I yet would insist my son looks exactly like me and not like his dad because his features are actually totally his father's but I felt like all they saw was his skin. My extended family asked my mom about son's color before anything when he was born. Not is he healthy, how much he weighed but is he light? SMH
SumKindaWndrful 10 months ago
Your little one is beautiful =). I clicked on this video because now, as a mother of two, I've become more aware of this differentiation. I recently gave birth to another wonderful son and he is darker than our other son. When the eldest was born I heard absolutely NOTHING about his complexion, however when this baby was born the comments were immediate. We've heard everything from "what a cute chocolate drop" to "he looks like he's Indian." As a mother it was a shock to me that...
crb714 10 months ago
Thank you so much first of all there are people who are very dark and have very loose curls and wavy :/ so skin color has nothing to do with hair ...2nd of all on the race thing i understand you completely i am 19 years old a sophomore in college i have never been called light skin to i came to college... also when people ask what i am i say half black half jamaican .... people get mad when i say that because they're like "oh you just don't want to be all black etc" ... i hate it, my mother
iJam24 10 months ago
@iJam24 is Arawak indian (jamaican) people tend to believe only black people live in Jamaica that's why i don't tell people my ethnicity ... but i understand completely we're you are coming from ....thank you for this video so much
iJam24 10 months ago
SO CUTE! :D
Iwuzhere321 10 months ago
awwwww he so cute!!!
Princessbarbie717 10 months ago
This is all simply an illusion...ur inner truth speaks outward..therefore if u feel inferior u will b treated as such..beauty is simply an outward reflection of confidence. Light skin or dark skin we all have a story...loving urself is key!!
one2keepitrl 11 months ago
Omg he is so adorable.
ImNotYourFriend212 11 months ago
(cont) I am where I am (professionaly) because I work my butt off. I always try to deliver the best work, am creative, have ideas and am good to people. Thats what gets me the jobs. Having 4z hair is a non-issue in this regard.
OneSummerSky 1 year ago
(cont) I often feel proud wearing my hair like this. In Africa I have seen many professional women and also kids in the slums wearing their hair straight, whenever I meet them I hope to send a message that it's really not necessary to compromise on your natural hair. I interact with heads of states but also with people that only have the clothes they're wearing. My hair is *always* the same. That is 4z!
OneSummerSky 1 year ago
I rock a natural fro and wear the protective style (twists). I guess I have 4z hair :)
My father is white (blond hair blue eyes) my mother is black like Alek Wek.
Wearing my 4z hair natural is not a barriere in my career. I get the amazing assigments, whereby I can travel around the world and meet interesting people. Recently I was in an Asian country where not many people of African decent go to. People thought I was wearing a wig :) Usually people are fascinated.
OneSummerSky 1 year ago
im generally speaking lightskinned, but I've only been sort of followed in the store once. the thing about the burning and becoming a scab was greusome but true. same person inside :)
solstace333 1 year ago
There are still issues based on color. The obvious example at hand is why this brown skinned woman refers to herself as light skinned? She mentions others brownness but, is oblivious to her own brown skin and African features. She mentions her mother is browner that she is perhaps she's the lightest in her family. I suppose my feeling is some of this privlage she imagines is based on how she comports. With that being said she does raise some truths I just do not see how these are her truths.
Roxberrie 1 year ago
@Roxberrie you assume "this woman" is oblivious. but case in point, if "this woman," who happens to be a real person who reads her comments, "if this woman" was oblivious, she would not have taken the time out, and in spite of her anxiety about the topic, felt it was important enough to bring up to her audience. any truth I speak on is my own, especially this one. I am a twice brown woman. I am too dark to one half my family and too light to the other.
SumKindaWndrful 1 year ago 3
@Roxberrie I am a real flesh and blood person who addresses taboo topics. Feel free to read the additional commentary in my blog link posted in the info box, not spoken of in the video because it was already too long. You are simply an anonymous comment. You are not brown black or white. Your ethnicity is void. You are a default avatar with a pseudonym, yet you attempt to invalidate my truths. Nice try.
SumKindaWndrful 1 year ago
@Roxberrie By the way, I never imagined the privilege. I am referring to the sociological theory that was created by scholars. Pay attention.
SumKindaWndrful 1 year ago
You have such a beautiful little boy!!! Firstly, I'd like to say it's nice to listen to an intellectual in regards to natural hair and the societal viewpoints of others based on the superficial(I hope that made sense). I found you via Taren. I'm soooo subscribing!!! I like you (not in a crazy, stalker-ish way, LOL) Happy *SUPER-DUPER* Belated B-Day, and Happy Valentine's Day!!
ade52286 1 year ago
"You're such a handsome little boy." "I know." "Go to sleep." LOL Your family is so cute. I've been here on youtube for quite a while now but I haven't made any videos yet. I think I'm gonna do a response to this one though, because this colorism thing is very real and I don't want it to continue. I don't want the kids to inherit this way of thinking.
hwiley09 1 year ago
thank you, you broached a real and important topic in a real, openknowledgeable and way.
michelblog 1 year ago
Hi, I am an light skin/brown skin black male. And I agree with you on the issue of the light skin, dark skin african american debate. It is sad yet, true. That there is an serious issue in the black commnity of our complections. I have be told by other african americans that I think that I am better than my darker skin male counter parts because my ligher skin tone. I sometimes fell isolated from my own black community. I am happy that you decided to post this video and talk about this issue!
Wolfsbladex 1 year ago
i love your sons afro 2 hun bless him hes right were all different it would be rubbish if we weren't not to say confusing but we are all the same on the inside
babycat967 1 year ago
when i was small my little friend a colored girl who lived next door was very dark skinned shed say god forgot to bake me lol and ide say well girlie he left u in oven to long wed have a laugh the worlds changed people take color to seriously its very sad i was milky bar to and she was twix shed dance about saying no one like white choc and ide laugh my ass of but ide always say it dont matter what color u are god loves us all and theres good and bad in all and on the inside u cant tell wt ur
babycat967 1 year ago
color issues exist. there are still family elders teaching youngsters to internalize self-hatred by comparing the skin tone of the children in the family or by commenting on how easy & more enjoyable it is to do one child's hair than another's. people still say things like "she's pretty ... to be dark skinned." and there could be a Yo Mama book published JUST with jokes that start with "yo mama so black ..." colorism still exists & like racism, probably always will. just being honest.
purenature1000 1 year ago
here is the reality. if this planet were made up of NOTHING but the same color brown-skinned people with identical hair texture, there would STILL be something that would create division: eye/nose/lip shape, teeth, shape of fingers/toes, long torso vs short torso, long neck vs. short neck, short vs. tall stature, etc. sometimes just the subtle differences between people are enough to make people covet what others have and to hate what they were born with.
purenature1000 1 year ago
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clcaldwe 1 year ago
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clcaldwe 1 year ago
Racism, Colorism, Hair Textur-ism (?) is sad and starts at a young age. We, as women, are taught at a young age to be dissatisfied with our bodies and body parts. And for me, I created constraints for 'blackness' to deal with being dissatisfied with my dark complexion. For so long, I refused to accept bi-racial women or those who (at that time when I was younger and ignorant) phenotypically appeared to be bi-racial as black (you would have probably been included).
clcaldwe 1 year ago
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clcaldwe 1 year ago
I watched your video more than a week ago, but your thoughts/questions haven't left my mind. As a medium-dark skinned woman (cappachino-colored), I have seen 'light-skinned' privilege in action. I was proud when my mother who is KinkyTresses' complexion picked me up from school because I felt it made me 'better' than just some dark skinned girl. I even attempted to use cheap bleaching creams to make my skin lighter through middle and high school (Needless to say, they never worked!).
clcaldwe 1 year ago
I may make a video about this too.
piscesstar10 1 year ago
@piscesstar10 please please do! I would love to hear your thoughts!
SumKindaWndrful 1 year ago
That is crazy! I was just talking about this with a friend. There is definitely colorism going on, even me not being extremely light or extremely dark, I am constantly asked "why don't you perm or press your hair or something." I think that hair has much to do with it. the stereotype is long straight light skinned and short 'nappy' brown skin. I think it is total bullcrap. I think it very much exists and needs to be talked about. I think, also, that many get these views from those around them.
piscesstar10 1 year ago
I mean I've never dealt with anything like this until high school
filmsuga92 1 year ago
Also we talked about dating because I couldn't start dating until I turned 16 she asks me what type of guys would I date and I describe to her the personalities she said no complexion I said all types of shades she said I can't date dark guys I was like wtf the guy your dating now is dark skinned I don't understand ... She just frustrated me I've dealt with anything like date until I started high school
filmsuga92 1 year ago
The only time I think I've ever dealt with your darker I'm lighter thing is when I started high school 3 years ago and than when I started this college preparatory class (upward bound) my ex best friend always said I'm chocolate , I'm darker I really didn't have a problem and than she will tell me she's lighter than me & than I would say your the exact same color as me... I don't understand & than she would get furious after 3 years of friendship I had to let her go
filmsuga92 1 year ago
"Privilege???" Just seems kind of odd on how you said it, but I've never dealt with this issue in my family my sisters, grandma, mother, and I come in all different shades of color.. Education is more important to me I've never felt less than the next because of complexion.
filmsuga92 1 year ago
@filmsuga92 The term "privilege" that I'm using here is a bit different than the standard dictionary term that most are familiar with. Google "male privilege" "white privilege" or even "light skin privilege." I really hope that you do not have to experience what I and many of the other commenters are talking about, but as you grow older and experience the world outside of your high school and family, it is quite possible that you will encounter these things. Of course that does not mean it will
SumKindaWndrful 1 year ago 2
@SumKindaWndrful will hinder you in any way. Each of us decides what we allow to hold us back and push us forward. Perhaps having an understanding of this before you encounter it will enable you to overcome these matters. I certainly hope so!
SumKindaWndrful 1 year ago
Hi Sweety..... being from South Africa and "coloured" I sooooo understand what you mean...Yes it is a problem and has been for a long time... I think that it will be a long while before we move past this....I have so much to say on this topic but it's better face to face....(one day when we meet in Chicago again...hahahah) for a meetup ok...
Averil07111 1 year ago
Very well said! I think I may do a response to this video as well cause I have a lot to say on the subject being in your position as the light skin one with "curls" as well.... Thanks so much for this video :-)
taren916 1 year ago
@taren916 Please please do! :-D
SumKindaWndrful 1 year ago
I do not agree that light skinned comes w priviledge...Being educated and having class are way bigger issues to focus on. Many Africans come to this country who are very dark and have great success. I think white people are much more concerned with class and money than the color or shade of our skin. I think many dark skin women focus on their color so much that their insecurity becomes obvious to others. I am brown skin and have never felt inferior to any light skinned woman.
one2keepitrl 1 year ago
@one2keepitrl just to be sure, I am not equating privilege to wealth or success but rather opportunity and treatment. The definition I am using is not my own but one that has already been established.
SumKindaWndrful 1 year ago
@one2keepitrl
I personally feel that light skin women as well as dark skin women worry about their complexion. Some light skin women feel that they me be too light and are not black enough for their counter parts. They are called lght bright and damn near white. Darker women are get compliments like you're pretty for a dark skin girl and see more glorified light skin women in the media so they may feel like america does not see them as equal beauties when compared to light skin women.
shatoyta2000 11 months ago
@one2keepitrl cont.
My ligh skin friend wanted to have pretty brown babies. I also know dark skin women who date lighter men to have brown babies. There are hurts and insecurities on both sides of the fence. It appears that dark skin women are more insecure because society sends the message that they should be insecure because they are inferior.
shatoyta2000 11 months ago 2
You cant control how other people view you, but you can control how you decide to respond to things. In life there are so many things that can hold you back (race, gender etc) but you decide how whether you use those things as a crutch to hold you back or if you'll use those obstacles to push you forward. Once you start focusing on whats on the inside, skin color really becomes unimportant and you'll learn to love yourself just the way God made you.
xshortmochax 1 year ago
So many issues still exists that sadly shouldnt. Thank you for posting this video because i never saw the issue from the other side of the fence. Growing up dark skinned for me was HELL. Alot of my family members are light and mixed and alot of my friends were lighter than me too so i was teased alot. I never resented light skinned people i just hated myself. Now that i'm grown, going through that adversity has made me who i am today (cont)
xshortmochax 1 year ago
well, we are all brown....brown in various shades, including you.....5:20 - 5:45 was very interesting... you named yourself as light skin and then seemed to stumble while describing the darker women because they were not "dark dark" as you put it. Dark skinned is not a bad word. But when you call someone something...anything and then retract it to try to soften it you make it a bad word...ie, she's big, but not big big....just round.
tonidaley80 1 year ago
@tonidaley80 I meant literally the majority of the women in the room were not dark skin. They were all brown, not light brown or dark brown just brown. So I didn't see it as retracting. However, the entire video I experienced extreme anxiety in trying to talk about a subject which many have told me (since posting) I have no authority in. I was not trying to soften any thing but instead trying to say exactly what I meant. I also tell people I am brown despite others trying to tell me I am not.
SumKindaWndrful 1 year ago
hair and skin do still matter..and first we have to start by correcting the problems in Black communities throughout the world starting with the USA....and how?...you did right there at the end of your video with your child...stop raising our kids around the good hair good skin color mentality...we do it to ourselves...then once society doesn't accept us for who we REALLY are...we will handle that issue
DatBlackAmerican 1 year ago
I think this philosophy that light skin black folk have privilege over dark skin black folk is ridiculous. I have a few friends who are Jet black who have achieved promotion after promotion based on their credentials. One is a vice president of a large banking entity. He started out mid-level because of his education and worked his way up. When it comes to highly successful position it's based on credentials not light skin vs black. Maybe that's how they choose secretaries but not bosses.
WhereYaBoss 1 year ago 19
@WhereYaBoss only ghetto black people think like that
good hair???
people do know black women and i mean black women can grow long hair if they let it be natural and have patience people are too misinformed.
OliCampify 9 months ago
@OliCampify Saying only "ghetto" people think like that only adds to the stigma...I know several well educated , wealthy, "living on the hill" PhD's who aren't "ghetto" (in the mainstream sense) who still BELIEVE and TEACH many of the myths that have plagued women of color then and now. the difference is that sometimes people learn to hide it better but I assure you that it is not something limited to a socioeconomic group...
cvq201 9 months ago
@cvq201 i never implied that it was linked to any group only ignorant human beings.
and its so sad people argue over whats considered light skin and whats considered dark skin and orange and green skin blah blah blah.lool. i live in england and i have never be called dark, brown or chocolate etc.
and i will be visiting nyc soon lets see if i get those 'compliments'.
OliCampify 9 months ago
@WhereYaBoss I'm sure if u sat down and asked ur friends they will say they worked twice as hard as their lighter (other ethnic) counterparts to attain and retain the positions they have. This is even more profound the higher up the corporate ladder (i.e. bosses more than secretaries). In fact, there are terms for it: white privillege, the glass ceiling,etc. Studies done in this century show employers commenting that they trust, believe in and readily hire lighter skin persons over darker skin.
cvq201 9 months ago
@cvq201 Then how do you explain the large number of black people with prestigous positions? I belong to a few organizations and attend a number of seminars and gatherings across the country and have had the pleasure of associating with women and men much, much darker than me in high level positions. These people oversees thousands of people who happen to be white, latino, asian, black, etc. How do you think they are getting these positions over their lighter counterparts?
WhereYaBoss 9 months ago
@WhereYaBoss lmao @ 'i have a few friends who are jet black'...
kissykay07 5 months ago
and black men. Honestly, when it comes to colorism. I think yes there is some stigma, but it is something that can be easily overcomed. It doesn't bother me much anymore.. when I was little and going through puberty it did though. I never felt pretty and I thought it was cause I was dark. As I grow older and know I'm beautiful and I know the power is within me to overcome any stereotype. I go to a top law school and I have 8 interviews at the countries top firm (I'm only a 1L). We as a people
cdavilmar 1 year ago
I mean I'm Haitian and even though it is a primarily black country there are issues with color there. Light skin people get treated better and get elected to office. I consider myself dark skin but people tell me I'm brown (like its a compliment and I shouldn't lower myself by thinking I'm dark... that's how I precieve it lol). Initial perceptions of me at school were lower expectations but after people get a chance to interact with me they know I'm smart. I'm always told i'm beautiful by white
cdavilmar 1 year ago
You know I always seen colorism as something that was more between men and women. I don't feel like colorism is that big of a deal for men. Women tend to care less about tthe outer appearance so I don't think guys ever really see the issue with color atleast when it comes to them. I always thought skin like hair was more of a beauty issue with women just like weight. When I talk to men they never tend to be very insecure about their skin (unless they are really dark and were always picked on).
cdavilmar 1 year ago
Happy Birthday! I have had some issues being a darker woman. I have in the past felt inferior to lighter women in a "white" world believing they have the upper hand on jobs, men and better hair. Now that I am older and love myself (I believe that if you love yourself it makes all the difference) I am more confident in who I am and not how I look. I was natural for 5 yrs and now I am texturized to better manage my hair. I am losing weight for better health. I AM DOING ME!! Thanks for the vid.
leigh4health 1 year ago
Happy Birthday!
leigh4health 1 year ago
Oh yea and happy b-day!.
vivacious1083 1 year ago
@vivacious1083 thanks!!!!
SumKindaWndrful 1 year ago
These issues are serious but we cant change the past. I'm ready to move forward from this. We need to recognize how mind fu@$#d we got in the past and work to stop giving it the energy and attention it craves. The best way to battle this is through education, educated dialog and acting indifferent to it.
vivacious1083 1 year ago
raped by a white man and kept the "whiteness", by marrying fellow light skinned people. Or to even claim that 1/8th of a tenth of Seminole Native American blood. Get over it, you're black.
SCKelly87 1 year ago 2
pale skinned caucasion, or blonde, is dark. Italians are considered dark, French, Middle Eastern, etc. You are dark skinned, deal with it." She then looked at me as if I called a her mother out of her name and said, "Oh, in that case I guess I am dark." I just looked at her and shooked my head. I just couldn't, and still can't understand the sheer disgust of being called dark. It's always annoyed me that African Americans thinks it's someting of privelage to have had a great-grandmother whom was
SCKelly87 1 year ago
Happy birthday!!! I have many experiences regarding shadeism/colorism. My bestfriend of eleven years and I were having a discussion about my husband's brother. I stated to her that his brother prefers darker skinned women. She rolled her eyes and stated "I guess I'm not his type." I looked at her with a blank stare and said "Um, yes you are. You are dark skinned." She got in a huff and scoffed, "I am not dark skinned." I retorted and said, "Um, yes you are. Any person who isn't a fiery red......
SCKelly87 1 year ago
Happy Belated Birthday, SumKindaWndrful! In my opinion this issue is also prevalent in the Bahamian community too. It's obvious when I hear people who have lighter skin or looser textured hair being described (by darker skinned people) as the ones with the 'pretty mango' skin or 'pretty' hair (as if to say that their own skin/ hair isn't also pretty). It's a way of thinking that's been passed down from generation to generation. But I refuse to let society define what 'beauty' is to me anymore.
LunaCelestial1 1 year ago
Your son is so precious. We need more mommies like you, building enlightened children. Happy holidays.
polifonyann 1 year ago
I've dealt with this my whole life and the sad part is that it started in house, not only for my skin but for my hair and I've always been on the heavier side...Im a dark skin latina who is embracing everything that God gave me, everything he made is perfect....happy birthday
MsMorenazaa 1 year ago
The issue is not limited to just black people...it is an issue in the Latino community too. There are many Latinos that give preference to light-skinned Latinas just like blacks give preference to light skinned people in our community...I even saw on Oprah that Asian women use cremes to lighten there skin b/c light skin is considered prettier in their culture... I think that the issue of skin color is really lame. It's just another way to cause division among people. The BS needs to stop.
FutureMrsStreater 1 year ago 2
Comment removed
babines42 1 year ago
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!
NaturalBells 1 year ago
Happy Birthday
fyfloyd1 1 year ago
Your son is too cute! And I talk about this all the time. I'm brown skin, and I have a dark skin friend that calls me light skin just bc she is darker. And she thinks that it looks better then her skin. I HATE colorism! I don't make video's but I might try it bc u r right. I have so much to say about this topic that it won't fit into a comment. I always ask why people think that light skinned girls are stuck up. EVERYONE IS DIFFERENT. I have met stuck up dark skinned woman. It's a crying SHAME!
sterlingking 1 year ago
@sterlingking Please please please do make a video. I don't talk about it much here but colorism does negatively affect lighter persons as well. I just posted a blog about that, the flip of it and the link is in the info box if you want to read it.
SumKindaWndrful 1 year ago
happy birthday!!!! and your son is adorable:)
MsAb111 1 year ago
Your most poignant expression was what you said about if your skin burned off...you'd still be the same person. And just to show you how ridiculous societal standards of beauty are...you would actually become and outcast. Looked down upon because burned skin is not "pretty". This society is completely messed up.
anniegracie101 1 year ago 2
In high school I experienced this. The boys openly said they prefer the lighter skinned girls over the darker skinned girls. There were some exceptions though (body type for example). Some even told me they were upset that I cut my hair (it was mid- back length and I cut in during my junior year because of the damage due to relaxing). I know not all men are like that, but it's interesting looking back then up today, men of other races ask me out more than black men do. =/
shawniethugalicious 1 year ago
Happy Birthday......I really enjoyed this video the message was so powerful. I am a dark brown sister who has never experience any of the light skin Dark issue's. but my heart does go out to anyone who has ever had a negative experience concerning skin color. I've heard so many sad stories from dark skin sisters that I meet while living here in the south. I grew up Up north I was the only black in my class for years. but still no issues no Skin or Hair issues not even with my on race
AishahMs745 1 year ago
well I'm dark skinned and I've never experience any of what you said so I can't speak on it...and if you read my message on my channel you can see this has no affect what so ever on me and my family :)
spareld 1 year ago
HOLD UP!!??? You met a black person named JESSICA!!??
iamsillywarm 1 year ago
son is light skinned. I have whites and Africans who have married into family. I have more half white nephews and nieces than I do black nephews and nieces. So... maybe this just makes me super motivated to get on with the get on. Which is to acknowledge, love, accept, and celebrate all the different races and colors that God has made. Speaking of getting on with the get on - Happy Bday!!!
maximuslyricus 1 year ago 3
@maximuslyricus I always love your comments! "I don't let folks colorism preferences affect anything over which I have control" exactly. This, I believe is why some may feel it's not that serious while others do. My mom has this same attitude. She is closer to dark brown though in between, if that makes sense, and she raised us to KNOW that no one has any control over what we can achieve except ourselves. I saw her accomplish all she set her heart to and do the same. But I never though her...
SumKindaWndrful 1 year ago
Respond to this video... hard efforts could be because of her skin color. I'[m not sure that it is, but I know I will never hear her say she can't or she is treated worse because of it. I believe acknowledging, loving and accepting and celebrating is key. If I can only instill that in my son, then I have accomplished much. Thanks!
SumKindaWndrful 1 year ago
we've done it for more than 17 years now and no one's been hurt. Is enjoying and appreciating the differences wrong? Of course not! Whether the differences between people be race, color, hair texture, etc, there's nothing wrong with acknowledging the differences. Only then can we get to a place of acceptance and celebration of all the differences. I am a dark skinned African American. My husband is light skinned. My
maximuslyricus 1 year ago
"Don't talk about hair texture! Don't ask about my hair texture! Talking about hair texture differences assumes that one hair texture is better than another!" I have 4b hair. I love it, I'm proud of it, I'm thankful, for it, and I wouldn't trade it for any other texture. My husband has 2A hair. And I luv luv luv running my fingers through it. Is acknowledgement of the difference between me and my hubby's hair wrong? Well,
maximuslyricus 1 year ago
understand that all races and colors are acceptable and beautiful. But b4 we can get there, we must first come to a place whereby we are comfortable seeing the differences.
Which is why I don't like people's discomfort or nonacceptance of acknowledging, much less even talking about differences. Here in the natural hair youtube community what comes to mind is hair texture. Right now the current school of thought seems to be
maximuslyricus 1 year ago
people's prejudices regarding colorism. I'm sure that, without me knowing, I've probably been discriminated against because of my dark color. But I don't let folks colorism preferences affect anything over which I have control. If someone is unwise enough to say anything in my presence regarding their colorism issues, I set them straight. I think that all people, no matter their race or color, just need to get to the place where we
maximuslyricus 1 year ago
are in a group of blacks feel - only they may feel even more uncomfortable. But as u moved forward and talked about the privileges your light skin have afforded u, I was like "A ha! I knew this was happening!" U wanted me to talk about this on a personal level and so I shall. I am dark skinned. If u asked my husband to describe me in one word he wud say "bullheaded". So because of my "bullheadedness", I've never entertained
maximuslyricus 1 year ago
Good Afternoon Bria! First of all - your son is cute cute cute! Now....What do I think? Well...I guess I think many things. In no special order... I think that although the impact of colorism varies all the way from almost nothing to a great deal on the individual, it is apparently still a real factor in our society. As u talked about your own discomfort discussing the issue in that group, I did think that this is probably how white people who
maximuslyricus 1 year ago
Happy birthday mines is on the 27th woo hoo!!! Ur son is so cute!! Good topic, people have always told me because of my light skin I get priviledges didn't really believe it...
41sassy 1 year ago
@SumKindaWndrful
***HEY LADY I FOUND YOU (its me Jessica!! lol) Thank you for the shoutout and for reopening the discussion on Colorism. I am thinking of starting a blog that allows for more people to share their experiences.***
MsMochaDiva 1 year ago
@MsMochaDiva yay! I was tying to find you on FB last night but couldn't. I was too lazy to open my email. Look at all the comments and see what you started! :-)
SumKindaWndrful 1 year ago
Your son is too gosh darn cute. Hey, girl, Happy Birthday to you. Mine is on the 25th. I believe that all of this comes from ignorance. I appreciate you for educating us on this topic. I use to think that if my hair was like my mother's I wouldn't have a hard time with life in general. I'd say this stupid thought to myself. Since I decided to go natural, I've notice how bad we have a problem being black. My dad is dark brn. I've got to prvte msg you.
zheahra 1 year ago
This is not so much about loving everyone/having a Kumbaya moment but raising a mentally sound child. A child who think that skin color/hair/weight or wealth is the holy grail to happiness or the main stability to a good life is going have a hard time in this world.
pepperrgirl 1 year ago
More acceptable you start to believe it and turn on eachother. Make the change you want to see and stop the cycle. History is to be learned from and we right now are the history of our future generations so why not make it a positive one where changes were made? It starts with each one of us. Love and peace to ALL my sisters.xxx
missangie11 1 year ago
Happy Birthday!!! Very interesting topic and so sad to hear that it is still very prevalent in the US. I'm from the UK and while we do get the annoying "good hair" statements from time to time, shade-ism doesn't appear to be an issue in the same way. I think the media have a lot to do with that as black people are much less represented compared to our white counterparts but when we are all shades are represented. I believe if you are fed a hierarchy visually about what is considered more accep
missangie11 1 year ago
Happy Birthday ! My birthday was the 20th. I am so loving the interaction between you and your son...it is wonderful. On the topic of the day, I will have to think about this question...because you are a thinker you will always ponder situations like these.
brnize1969 1 year ago
@brnize1969 I recorded this on the 20th! Birthday twins!
SumKindaWndrful 1 year ago
OMG, your son is adorable!! This skin treatment is very real and unfortunately in this system of things, people focus on irrationalities. Its hard for people to focus on what really matters and stop the mental color hierarchy, self hatred, insecurities. People are brainwashed and its unfortunate that we cannot rise above this and deal with resolving other issues like hunger, violence, war. In this world, people concentrate on things that separate us whether it be money, prestigious jobs, etc
rajingbutterfli 1 year ago
Happy Birthday!
brownshuga24 1 year ago
this is a bit off subject but i noticed you were wearing a cross...are you no longer a witness?
1nails1 1 year ago
@1nails1 It's actually a small ankh, though the Egyptian Coptic church adopted it as their cross. Nonetheless, I have not been a witness since I was 16yo. My mother disassociated herself and I continued on with my father. But the people in the congregation I grew up in began to treat me as a cancer because she left. I didn't even live with her. My friends could no longer spend time with me and my own JW family (my uncle and his fam) distanced themselves from me. When I heard racist comments
SumKindaWndrful 1 year ago
@SumKindaWndrful being said about my mother, who is black and the congregation was White and Mexican, I couldn't take it anymore. I left as well. I was never baptized but I don't intend to go back.
SumKindaWndrful 1 year ago
Oh and Happy Birthday! :)
anique0320 1 year ago
I honestly don't believe that all the black men marrying white women is because they are in love with them, but in love with the idea of what their children will look like. I myself have been treated different because I am dark skinned and I have caught myself falling into the same trap, but I make a conscious decision not to follow popular belief and look at a person true self to judge their overall beauty.
anique0320 1 year ago
Just like you will never really wipe out terrorism, racism, self-hate within cultures. It should not matter but sadly it does. It has become steadily prevalent throughout the years. In the 80s videos consisted of a spectrum of women of color high yellow to dark skinned sistahs. Now videos consist of a spectrum of bi-racials to women of different cultures in the video with one or two dark skinned sistahs in the background.
anique0320 1 year ago
ok, I did my video response, I hope I attached it correctly, this is an issue that I do feel very strongly about being reared in the south and being a black woman for 50 years. PEACE. Yes, it is real and no it is not right but it still exist and no we are not gonna "get over it"!
tjbmom123 1 year ago
We have the same issues...........
We use the phrase ' good hair ' for lighter skin persons
I hear mothers shouting to their kids to stay out the sun so that they won't 'get black'
and females down here bleach their skin like crazy!
personally when i'm with my cousins who are lighter than me , its glaringly obvious that they catch the attention first all the time.....(not knocking my cuzzies' they are gorg! its just how it is)
21bahamas 1 year ago
@21bahamas My sis in law is so determined to stay out the sun she never lets us go to the beach until 5p whenever I'm in Nassau. That skin bleaching is serious too. She was using Ambi religiously but didn't know it was bleaching. She believed it would "fade" scars but I had to explain it to her. Her face was getting different than the rest of her body!
SumKindaWndrful 1 year ago
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
21bahamas 1 year ago
thank you for sharing...btw u look beautiful
j032ingrid 1 year ago
This topic is really bothersome. My friend is light complexion and she talks about how certain dark black people don't like her because she is light. I say Everyone of them that's crazy to me. I think it has gone to her head. I think they don't like her cause of her attitude of superiority. Then she says I don't understand because I'm in between. "What the heck does that mean" Cause I'm neither light or dark! Wow
tabbykat329 1 year ago
@tabbykat329 That's always the point I make with others when they get into the shadeism,racism...even sexism and weightism trip.How it effects you depends on how you were raised, your sensitivity to outside stimuli and dependency on what others think. I was lucky enough to be raised in a mixed extended family who got more excited over education and drive to be better in career/business...we were not perfect and had our drama but most of us didn't go crazy over color or year.
pepperrgirl 1 year ago
@pepperrgirl After saying that, It was a different story when I started elementary school in the Caribbean and went to my friends' home or listen to them talk. The energy was very different in each. One would harp on color and see lighter color regardless anything else as better. The child with the lighter skin would assume they were better/the dark child ..themselves...not so pretty because they were constantly told this - it was almost like a conditioning/Pavlov experiment.
pepperrgirl 1 year ago