While cruising Facebook I discovered this video on the pages of a few friends. The clip was from the documentary "Dark Girls" directed by Bill Duke. The video features various women sharing the pain of the Black (and I mean dark skinned) experience. Watching the testimonies mad me cry because I have felt somewhat inferior as a woman because I'm brown, round and have natural hair. I've been told "I'm pretty for a dark skinned girl." What the ham sandwich is that supposed to mean? These "people" don't see pretty BROWN girls every day? I've noticed that I receive less attention when my hair is natural and God help me, but I'm a thick girl...strike three on the beauty tip (as far as some are concerned). Watching this video makes me wonder how many other Black women have experienced these feelings? How many Black men are caught up in the "brighter is better" mentality? Will this bias ever change. Watch the video and leave your comments. I'm curious about the experiences of others.
it will not change as long as Africans continue to embrace "American" (European) aesthetics at the expense of African aesthetics. there is legitimate fear in terms of employment & various other social considerations that if an African embraces their cultural heritage there will be negative consequences. when these issues begin to be discussed more openly & honestly, a more aggresive change of the status quo might occur.
ReplyDeleteDear Tiffany:
ReplyDeleteI'm a blogger and I did a post about "Dark Girls" too, which contains the information I found about it on Facebook. I would like to invite you to my blog to see the post and, in particular, the comments. I had a short, but interesting dialogue w/ a couple of the producers on the "Dark Girls" Facebook page earlier today and I would like to get your opinion. The link below will take you to the post and comments on my blog:
http://ladybughousehold.blogspot.com/2011/05/dark-girls-must-see-documentary-by-bill.html
@ Lady Bug, thank you for the invite. I will certainly check out your blog!
ReplyDelete