Originally Posted by southernelle25 (Post 1350340)

I agree. Whether someone has something such as "good" hair is often a bigger issue, at least that has been my experience.

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS (Post 1348194)

If people choose their mates based on that logic then they are idiots.

I remember this brown skin dude I knew who had finely textured hair and light eyes. Someone walked up to him, rubbed his hair and said "you're good for breeding." :rolleyes:

Originally Posted by black_princess (Post 1348274)

Wow . . that's why I asked . . I could see how some people might take that as a compliment and get their heads all gassed up . .that's sad. Breeding of all things . . . like he was some type of animal or something :(

This question is for everyone, if you could alter you complexion (lighter if you are a dark-skinned or vice versa) would you? I just finished a book called "The Diary of an Ugly Duckling" and in it a young woman who was tired of being, in her words, "fat,black,& ugly" enters a reality makeover show where they offer to lighten her skin (among other things) so she can resemble her other lighter family members. I just womder how many of you would be willing? When I was younger I might have answered yes to this, (elementary school was rough) but now I really like my almond chocolate and so do the men folk :D

Originally Posted by PrettyBoy (Post 1353432)

When I was in highschool some lady did that to me. She said "Nice head of hair" feeling it at the same time.

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS (Post 1353445)

Maybe she was humored by your Jackson 5 'fro.

Originally Posted by DSTCHAOS (Post 1340374)

What is interesting about this topic is that it is still a "big deal" to many people, which is why it is still a topic to be discussed. However, discussing it keeps the topic a "big deal" to many people as opposed to the assumption that discussing something combats ignorance and changes people's thoughts and actions.

I have found that instead of thinking and talking about this "color complex" I just make it a point to correct (usually, black) people when I see or hear them displaying colorisms or hair texturisms. For instance, if I hear some ignorant soul say "good hair" or say "I need to stay out of the sun because I'm black enough as is," I go on (what my friend calls) my Angela Davis speech. I say "no such thing as 'good hair' unless you're talking about healthy hair" and "no such thing as being 'black enough' but you need to stay out of the sun to protect yourself from UV rays and skin cancer, not getting darker. Interestingly enough, your beautiful dark skin protects you from the sun's rays and skin cancer more than lighter or white skin does." I remember when a classmate told me when I was little that I needed to stay out of the sun to make sure that I stayed pretty and lightskinned--my family doesn't talk crazy like that so I was really shocked when I was told that by an outsider. No, I don't need to stay out of the sun to avoid getting shades darker but I do need to stay out of the sun because I have less melanin to protect my skin.

Either case, people have generally learned not to make certain comments around me. I could be changing the world if I force everyone to interact with me on a daily basis. Then I'll be their #1 source of socialization. :D

Originally Posted by Still BLUTANG (Post 1367304)

Saw this as i was browsing the web, interesting.

http://www.afro.com/bnw/bwmain.html

Originally Posted by pinkies up (Post 1379320)

Kanye needs his jaw wired shut...again

Originally Posted by Krisco (Post 1357152)

Its always going to be an issue, its all about responding to it.

I just say things like "You still saying THAAAT?????" strongly attempting to make that person feel just as ignorant as they sound.


Thing is some of 'us' so-called educated folk are too blame for this still being an issue!

Look at a music video from the early 90's, the main girl usually was biracial with long curly hair, who SAID that was a TYPICAL Black girl?!?!?