I also feel Cita is a terrible representation of Black Womanhood no matter what her complexion. I do wonder, however, whether or not complexion played a role in her design.
The question of BET and its use of light skinned v. dark skinned sisters is not a new one. As a freshman in college, (1991) a BET representative came to my campus and was basically blasted by the students over this very issue. At the time all of the females on the station were more light except one. I am not surprised that the issue continues today. In most mass media, light skinned women have been favored. Only more recently has it been considered "in" by the media (the media, not me) to be dark skinned. African American complexions are treated like a fad and a trend. It is cool to be dark or light depeninding on the year and has come and gone like stillettos and micro minis. I think it is horrible that something so fundamental and unchangeable as complexion is treated as a fad. It demeans us as a race and jeopardizes our children's self esteem.
Another quick observation- In the media, they almost always pair a couple in advcertising so that the nman is darker than the woman.
As a very fair skinned Black woman (fair enough that people ask who is the White girl in the chapter when I step- ignorant a@@es! Don't they how diverse this rainbow is? Can't they see this kinky hair up here?) I used to pray to go to sleep and wake up dark when I was a child. I think we damage each other on all sides of the spectrum.
Bottom line- I think America and Black Americans are still very colorstruck. I also think BET has gone far afield of its potential and is not likely to ever get back on the right path. And if the creation of Cita was not a red flag about that, I don;'t know what is!
3 BMAC Sp 99
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