PP08,
Soror once again I must respond to you.
First of all the idea that dark-skinned Black women perpetuate the issue of skin color is PREPOSTEROUS AND HURTFUL, especially when it comes from a sister (black woman).
You said:
I know a lot of the darker skinned sisters seemed to get uptight about my post but you know what...a lot of times when we wonder why the connection still lives on, why don't we stop and think who keeps carrying it on. I understand why it is something that is so hurtful. If you keep making the connection of skin color.
And to be honest soror, you sound like those white people. Who always say: "There is no racism, why are you jumping to conclusions that you didn't get that job. Maybe, because the "white" person was more qualified than you. They also say that racism is still an issue in America because "Black" people keep "perpetuating" the issue. I am sure you would think an argument like that is silly. Well, it is also silly in this context.
You said:
I have been in situations where I was asked to dance more times than another friend. But could it have been that he was intrigued with my exotic eyes or my dimples? I guess I could internalize my fear of men not talking to me because I don't have a big behind, I'm not thick or tall.
As far, as the comment about internalizing the fear of men not talking to us because we are dark-skinned as you seem to insinuate. #1 I don't know where that came from and #2 that is just a low blow PERIOD. Comparing discrimination about skin color, which is closely linked to an atrocious history of discrimination, dehumanization and racism in this country, with having a big butt or being tall is a bit absurd. There is really no comparison between entrenched forms of beauty standards based on history, dating all the way back to the "house negro" vs "field negro" paradigm, that was based in large part on skin color to issues like being "tall" and being "thick"
But since you took it there, there is also an issue in this country when it comes to standards of beauty: that prioritizes "thinness" as the supreme form of beauty. I am sure plus sized women could speak on this issue as well.
No one is trying to tear down light skinned women to bring themselves up. I don't need to do that. I have too many other qualities to use as self-esteem, my outer and inner beauty, my intelligence and my sense of humor.
If you notice and this goes to Daruler about us thinking light skinned women have it easy, you will notice in my initial post I made it a POINT to say that and I quote:
I also want to acknowledge there is a flip side to this issue. That some light skinned African-Americans are teased for being real light as well.
But as Daruler said even if we were to concede or it could be proven that the whole Martin casting had nothing to do with race. FINE our point is that skin color is still an issue in this country and DARK-SKINNED women are NOT the "force" perpetuating it. Trust me we wish it would disappear.
Everyone seems to agree that it is still an issue. Well that is our point. We surely aren't creating the "yo momma is so Black" jokes and we aren't teaching our children to make those comments that Serenity talked about.
So obviously there is some other force perpetuating it.
But like I said in my second post: I have decided that I will stop trying to convince people who feel as you do that "dark skinned" woman are paranoid about this issue.
Maybe, it is just one of those things that if you have not experienced FIRST HAND, you cannot understand it. Just like whites cannot truly understand what it is like to be an African-American.
Maybe, we were a bit hasty in making the connection between Cita's skin color and her caricature. But to dismiss it at being totally irrelevant is just as wrong, given the long and continuing history that we ALL
acknowledge exists in this country in placing a hierarchy of light skin over dark skin.
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Aim for the moon,.... if you miss you'll be among the stars.
[This message has been edited by chAKAlate (edited May 14, 2000).]
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