At A Moments Notice...
You know, growing up I was definitely a victim of the color complex. It was ALL ABOUT Al B. Sure, Christopher Williams and of course Shemar Moore. Light skinned was so in and I dreamed about them all.
The light skinned brothas who may have had less attractive features, but was fair skinned were considered FINE to me and my eyes would most definitely follow them. SAD isn't it! Remember teasing dark skinned classmates and giving them all of these ugly names. Charcoal, Night Light, burnt face, Gorilla etc.. Why weren't the light skinned classmates giving ugly names?
I finally grew out of that once I was able to open my eyes and look at all of those fine brothas out there, regardless of their skin tone. It was no longer the media who kept me in the box. Damn i'm glad I can see outside the box now, eye candy like a mutha*****.
THANK THE LORD I'M BROWN SKINNED...LOL.......
GREAT POST Chris!!!!
You know, growing up I was definitely a victim of the color complex. It was ALL ABOUT Al B. Sure, Christopher Williams and of course Shemar Moore. Light skinned was so in and I dreamed about them all.
The light skinned brothas who may have had less attractive features, but was fair skinned were considered FINE to me and my eyes would most definitely follow them. SAD isn't it! Remember teasing dark skinned classmates and giving them all of these ugly names. Charcoal, Night Light, burnt face, Gorilla etc.. Why weren't the light skinned classmates giving ugly names?
I finally grew out of that once I was able to open my eyes and look at all of those fine brothas out there, regardless of their skin tone. It was no longer the media who kept me in the box. Damn i'm glad I can see outside the box now, eye candy like a mutha*****.
THANK THE LORD I'M BROWN SKINNED...LOL.......
GREAT POST Chris!!!!
First of all, the person that sent you that reader response was nit-picking. There was nothing solid about what he had to say. And maybe I was reading too fast, but it never occured to me that Diogenes had a lighter complexion or that his career was so fabulous. But that has more to do with me choosing to view the characters on an equal plane. Yeah, I took liberties. Sue me.
I'm so glad my complexion is somewhere in the middle, there aren't really any stigmas (good or bad) associated with people my complexion in our community. And yes, I made fun of light- and dark-skinned people equally as a child, because I believe in equal opportunity bashing.
Furthermore, I tend to think that darker people have it better because lighter-skinned people are more prone to breakputs, it seems. On the flipside, I'd take Shemar over Morris Chestnut any day.
First of all, the person that sent you that reader response was nit-picking. There was nothing solid about what he had to say. And maybe I was reading too fast, but it never occured to me that Diogenes had a lighter complexion or that his career was so fabulous. But that has more to do with me choosing to view the characters on an equal plane. Yeah, I took liberties. Sue me.
I'm so glad my complexion is somewhere in the middle, there aren't really any stigmas (good or bad) associated with people my complexion in our community. And yes, I made fun of light- and dark-skinned people equally as a child, because I believe in equal opportunity bashing.
Furthermore, I tend to think that darker people have it better because lighter-skinned people are more prone to breakputs, it seems. On the flipside, I'd take Shemar over Morris Chestnut any day.
Light skin vs. dark skin is not only an issue in the African American community; it is a global issue. In many other countries and cultures lighter skin is valued above darker. In the Philipines, dark skin is associated with those that work in the fields, exposed to the sun, thus it is a symbol of a "lower" class of people. If you remember in Mississippi Masala it was an issue in the Indian culture as well. We are not the only ones with color issues, its just more obvious. We are the standard of darkness. If one is not black, but still dark they can say "at least my hair is fine, or my nose is straight, or my lips aren't big. But the most painful issue about being "more richly hued" is not that people think you're ugly, but that people don't see you at you at all.
Light skin vs. dark skin is not only an issue in the African American community; it is a global issue. In many other countries and cultures lighter skin is valued above darker. In the Philipines, dark skin is associated with those that work in the fields, exposed to the sun, thus it is a symbol of a "lower" class of people. If you remember in Mississippi Masala it was an issue in the Indian culture as well. We are not the only ones with color issues, its just more obvious. We are the standard of darkness. If one is not black, but still dark they can say "at least my hair is fine, or my nose is straight, or my lips aren't big. But the most painful issue about being "more richly hued" is not that people think you're ugly, but that people don't see you at you at all.
Unfortunately, the skin complex issue goes both ways. I was never discrimimant over who was lighter/darker, yet I remember being teased for being lighter than other kids at my school. I have a sort of peanut-butter/pumpkin pie skin color, and never really thought I was terribly light skin, but was constantly reminded of it. Also, the fact that I spoke proper english, made me a target for others. I was often referred to as the"white girl" or "Mellow Yellow." I hope to see the say when we recognize that being black in itself is a beautiful thing despite the glorious shades we come in, so that we can spread this ideal to our children
Unfortunately, the skin complex issue goes both ways. I was never discrimimant over who was lighter/darker, yet I remember being teased for being lighter than other kids at my school. I have a sort of peanut-butter/pumpkin pie skin color, and never really thought I was terribly light skin, but was constantly reminded of it. Also, the fact that I spoke proper english, made me a target for others. I was often referred to as the"white girl" or "Mellow Yellow." I hope to see the say when we recognize that being black in itself is a beautiful thing despite the glorious shades we come in, so that we can spread this ideal to our children
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