Clips from the upcoming documentary exploring the deep-seated biases
and attitudes about skin color---particularly dark skinned women, outside of and within the Black American culture.
The topic of light skin v/s dark skin and good hair v/s kinky hair has been a source of discontentment within the Black community, for what seems like, forever. Growing up, I remember watching television, music videos specifically, and seeing that all of the "chosen" girls had long curly (or straight) hair, thin facial features, and a lighter skin tone. The negative image didn't just come from the media, however, it also came from every person who cringed when they saw the kink in her daughter's hair or gave preferential treatment to the "chosen" because they are considered better than caramel or chocolate variety.
Every little girl should be told she's beautiful. Instead I still see them hating their hair texture and wishing they looked more like Halle Berry and less like Angela Bassett, who, by the way, is FABULOUS!. (I think we can all agree both women are stunning.) The cycle must stop, and the "end" should start at home. Stop telling that beautiful child that her hair is nappy and ugly. Stop telling her if she only had thinner lips or nose, she'd be pretty. Stop telling her that she is less than "as is". How awesome would that be?!
I'm not dark or light (more of a pecan tan) with kinky hair, so as a teen I just assumed that I would never be the "chosen" one, and watching this video reminded me of those youthful insecurities. Now that I'm older and wiser, I know better and feel much better about my own self image. I'm absolutely loving my "Black" and all of the other colors mixed in. I just wish someone told me to embrace it sooner.
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