Racisim within the African American Community - Page 2

SummerChild · #1 03-22-2005, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by DSTCHAOS
Thank GOD that I was not raised in a color struck and hair texture conscious family.

For real. That's silliness at its best. Some of the old folk really need to check themselves. Also, we must realize that colorism goes both ways in our community and there are just as many people who I know who feel self-conscious about their light skin. Therefore, it is a problem that affects us all. It's all crabs in the barrel and, although Willie Lynch was proven not to have really written the letter, it's still the Willie Lynch principle exemplified.

Crabs in the Barrel.

And to the posters who have experienced negativity. We *all* have. There is nothing more or less unique about your experience. Children tease (about any and everything) and unfortunately, some college students (and some adults) never grow out of it. This is not unique to the Black community so I disagree that it's something that we do to ourselves as Black people. Others do it as well. Do you know that in every culture, there is the notion that if you are lighter or have lighter hair, you are more beautiful? It happens in various cultures (Latino culture for instance). We all just have to learn to ignore and have a little confidence.

SC

darling1 · #2 03-23-2005, 12:30 AM

i think if nothing else we agree that this whole issue is nonsense. i wasnt raised in a color struck per se. my family preached knowing your history at the same time relaxing my sister's hair and telling me that i have good hair so i dont need to get a relaxer. we all have issue, no doubt. this is one that i wish in the grand scheme would just go away.

Quote:

Originally posted by DSTCHAOS
Gotcha.

Your attempt at lightheartedness really does nothing more than feed into stereotypes and colorism nonsense. People of all shades of blackness have self-esteem issues. All of us were ridiculed by whites. Lighter skinned blacks were simply told that we were more acceptable and more beautiful than are our darker skinned brothers and sisters. Lightskinned and darkskinned blacks actually believed this nonsense and it became ingrained in our mindset and socialization. THIS is why we have colorism within our community. THIS is why darker skinned blacks sometimes pick on lighter skinned blacks and vice versa.

Thank GOD that I was not raised in a color struck and hair texture conscious family. My family loves its diversity of hues and hair and you will NEVER hear us talking about who is whatever complexion and who has whatever type of hair. We are all beautiful...period.

DSTCHAOS · #3 03-23-2005, 01:31 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by darling1
i wasnt raised in a color struck per se. my family preached knowing your history at the same time relaxing my sister's hair and telling me that i have good hair so i dont need to get a relaxer.

Your family wasn't "color struck" but it was "hair struck" and that is ignorant.

DSTCHAOS · #4 03-23-2005, 01:37 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by SummerChild
For real. That's silliness at its best. Some of the old folk really need to check themselves. Also, we must realize that colorism goes both ways in our community and there are just as many people who I know who feel self-conscious about their light skin. Therefore, it is a problem that affects us all. It's all crabs in the barrel and, although Willie Lynch was proven not to have really written the letter, it's still the Willie Lynch principle exemplified.

Crabs in the Barrel.

And to the posters who have experienced negativity. We *all* have. There is nothing more or less unique about your experience. Children tease (about any and everything) and unfortunately, some college students (and some adults) never grow out of it. This is not unique to the Black community so I disagree that it's something that we do to ourselves as Black people. Others do it as well. Do you know that in every culture, there is the notion that if you are lighter or have lighter hair, you are more beautiful? It happens in various cultures (Latino culture for instance). We all just have to learn to ignore and have a little confidence.

SC

Yeah, I was teased for my light skin by my peers. I was told that I thought I was cute because I have "lightskin and long hair." I was told that "God didn't keep me in the oven long enough." In the past few years, I have been targeted by brown and darker skinned "pro-black" and Afrocentrics who feel vindicated by uplifting darker blacks at the price of telling lighter blacks that we aren't "black enough" or "lightskin is ugly." As if we all can't be uplifted and beautiful.

It is stupid.

ladygreek · #5 03-23-2005, 03:17 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by DSTCHAOS
Yeah, I was teased for my light skin by my peers. I was told that I thought I was cute because I have "lightskin and long hair." I was told that "God didn't keep me in the oven long enough." In the past few years, I have been targeted by brown and darker skinned "pro-black" and Afrocentrics who feel vindicated by uplifting darker blacks at the price of telling lighter blacks that we aren't "black enough" or "lightskin is ugly." As if we all can't be uplifted and beautiful.

It is stupid.

Wow, you are light-skinned with "good hair?" Who knew?

Jill1228 · #6 03-23-2005, 05:46 AM

Oh honey, ain't that the truth? As much as I love my grandmother, she is guilty as sin and yes I called her on it. Quite a few of my kin are guilty as all get out.

"She is so black but she is really pretty".

If that is not a backhand, I dunno what is.

Yes, I was targeted when I was younger because of my dark skin and my loving summer outdoor activities.
I still love summer outdoor activities and could care less how dark I get in the summer

Quote:

Originally posted by SummerChild
For real. That's silliness at its best. Some of the old folk really need to check themselves.

DSTCHAOS · #7 03-23-2005, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ladygreek
Wow, you are light-skinned with "good hair?" Who knew?

My hair is GOOD because it is healthy, thick, and long.

But, my hair is no where NEAR "finely textured." I was once told "you're the ONLY friend I have with NAPPY HAIR!!! The rest of my friends have silky, thin textured hair!!!"

Good thing I never miss my relaxer touch-ups.