Thanks everybody for your comments! I am feeling you kissy324-- I find it VERY interesting that when black people straighten their hair, they are accused (by some) of trying to be white, but when they "tan", it is never for any Afrocentric reasons!
Just last week I got into a debate with a group of my white student workers about tanning. We'd gone to Cedar Point Amusement Park one Saturday, and a few of them kept commenting on how "white" some of the people were and how they needed some sun. I told them that it's funny how white/light skin is glorified in this society up until summertime; then it's deemed "ugly" by the same people who find it attractive the other 9 months of the year. These same people think Michael Jackson has "issues" because he's so "white" now! And of course, let's not forget the new trend in plastic surgery whereby whites are making their lips thicker by having fat cells injected. But, WE'RE the ones who are assimilating or being Westernized when we do something that they don't think is characteristic of blacks. This from the same group of folks who STILL think Cleopatra is white!!!
Forgive me for venting-- I do have love for all people, but I just think it's ironic that the ideal picture of beauty, even in the eyes of Caucasians, is the African American, at least by virtue of the beauty trends in white society. What do y'all think? (That's the Mississippi in me coming out!)
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Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Pi Kappa, SP97
#3 of QUINTESSENCE
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