DARK/LIGHT...SKIN COLOR.........Is this still an issue? Let's be honest Sorors & SF'

[Velocity_14]

Originally Posted by rhoyaltempest

Girl, that happened when I was in my teens and I was so used to being discriminated against (yes, by Black people both light and dark) that it didn't bother me anymore. For one thing, I knew that I was fine and my family and others always told me how beautiful I was but I admit that I did wrestle with self-esteem as a younger child...kids are cruel ya know. I was also always taught to be proud of being Black, we all were in my family and I have family members of all different shades. That is the only way this kind of thing will stop. We have to teach our children that "Black is Beautiful" no matter what shade it comes in, no matter what texture of hair and you have to teach your kids to be proud of their African American and African heritage while they're young. Knowledge of self can really make the difference and until we get that thru our heads, there will be more of the same.

Exactly. It wasn't always so easy for me to love myself just the way I am. It was a process, but I was alway taught too that any kind of black is beautiful. My mother, who is originally from Liberia, West Africa, has had the most impact on how I see myself as not only a woman but a woman of color. People ASSume a lot of things about me and my family because I am half African and the things people say.....wheeeew knowledge certainly is the Torch!! If people could see my mother's side of the family they would be surprised...lol..you will see white people, light people, inbetween people, and everthing else...and its all beautiful.

The part of your quote I bolded...you said that! Yeeeeees mayam you did!

[rhoyaltempest]

Originally Posted by Velocity_14

Exactly. It wasn't always so easy for me to love myself just the way I am. It was a process, but I was alway taught too that any kind of black is beautiful. My mother, who is originally from Liberia, West Africa, has had the most impact on how I see myself as not only a woman but a woman of color. People ASSume a lot of things about me and my family because I am half African and the things people say.....wheeeew knowledge certainly is the Torch!! If people could see my mother's side of the family they would be surprised...lol..you will see white people, light people, inbetween people, and everthing else...and its all beautiful.

The part of your quote I bolded...you said that! Yeeeeees mayam you did!

Children will accept what you teach them as long as you constantly reinforce it. I used to teach English at a private school in Philly that was "African centered." The kids were taught on a regular basis about their African American and African heritage. They were taught to be proud of being Black and terms like "good har/bad hair" and being teased for being dark or light was unacceptable. I can honestly say that I only caught a child teasing another child for being dark once. I only taught there for a year but it was a beautiful thing to be a part of. I know there are a lot of external influences that can lead one to self hate but it's not that hard on our part. Just teach your children to love themselves and their heritage and keep reinforcing this in positive ways.