School Daze: The Jiggaboos vs. The Wannabes

Director Spike Lee's 1989 film, School Daze, shows the dramatic and innovative dance sequence depicting the stereotypes of "good and bad hair" among light skinned (The Wannabes) and dark skinned women (The Jiggaboos).






I wanted viewers to grasp the meaning of this scene and be able to recognize the perceptions of the type or texture of hair that light skinned and dark skinned women "should have". Also, I wanted to show the negative interaction between the women because of the stereotypical features and characteristics. In actuality, this scene illustrates the usual activity of light skinned and dark skinned Black women across the country.






In School Daze, I believe that this particular scene spoke volumes about the wicked actions of Black women towards each other. Though the movie was filmed in a college setting, I recollected on the days of elementary and middle school where I experienced a demonstration of hatred and misjudgment--without the dancing, of course.







I reminisced about my closest friends, whom were dark skinned, bickering about being typecasted as having the wrong qualities, the wrong characteristics, the wrong features just because they were a darker shade of brown. I can recall myself wanting to hide out from the world because of what I was perceived to be.







Caught in the middle of constant backlash, I would get criticized by dark skinned girls for "being better than them" and criticized by light skinned girls for not "owning up to being better". I was just Galynne and that is just who I will continue to be. No one is better than anyone else, only different from everyone else. Whether vanilla creme or midnight black, every African American women should be able to appreciate the beautiful and varied attributes and characteristics that they possess.







Whether nappy or straight, love your hair. Whether nice or mean, love your attitude. Whether dark or light, love your color.

The Perfect Dream

As I stated in my last entry, there are so many variations in the color of Black women and it puzzles me that people are so fixated on two kinds. Often, I have asked myself why do certain characteristics or traits have to define what kind of woman I am. Is it because of the divide of color between Black women? Is it because of the media's influence displayed in music videos and commercials? No one knows. As the world evolves, I seek for change to be in effect and for these stereotypes to finally cease. Of my aspirations, I hope that I will not be defined by the external attributes I possess but defined by the internal qualities I hold within.





Indeed, I am light skinned with long hair, with a bright smile and a positive attitude... This is who I am--nothing more, nothing less. Being light skinned--caramel complexioned to be exact--is just a shade, a tone, a color. This does not make me any more special than the next woman. I aspire that people will end the continuance of conforming to these kinds of negative and ignorant labels of light skinned and dark skinned women. Black women, themselves, do not need to participate in the behavior of discrimination and criticism by stereotyping each other. Because of this, these stereotypes have been able to survive and thrive within the Black community which has transformed into an even bigger issue for Black girls and women.





I hope that little Black girls who are impressionable and easily influenced will recognize and embrace their color, whatever shade or tone they may have. They should be comfortable in their own skins with the attributes they have. As a young child, I grew up being criticized from my own peers because of my features and I do not want any girl, of any nationality or ethnicity, to experience the trials I have endured. Growing into Black women, I desire that no one will be able to tear them down because they realize the worth and importance of their color and themselves. I want them to acknowledge their individual beauty and uniqueness that they each bring to the African American culture.





In general, I request that African American men to stop labeling Black women with the inaccurate stereotypes in which light skinned and dark skinned women are affected. In my entry, High Pedestal, I explained personal situations in which my male friends would pick and choose whom they were interested in based off of their features and qualities. Some of the most crippling criticism comes from our Black men who are swift to assert certain qualities of a light skinned and dark skinned woman. Because of this disapproval, African American women are driven to believe these flawed stereotypes. But it is not only the Black man misjudging--it is the Black woman as well.






Throughout my lifetime, I have seen firsthand disparage and ridicule between Black women that has been damaging to each of their self-esteems and self images. Some black women will condemn one another for being skinner or curvier than the other, smarter than the other, or having better clothes than the other. It is all a big fashion show, a big ego parade, a big competition for dark skinned and light skinned women. This should not exist. Every black woman is unique and special; no specific characteristics should place Black women in a certain section of color.

The Tyra Banks Show: A Proud Black Woman

On an 2008 episode of The Tyra Banks Show, Tyra Banks illustrates how proud she is to be Black woman and I feel that this video clip should serve as inspiration to African American women whom are in doubt of their color. She illustrated the different ways that African American women have been affected by their struggle in acceptance of skin color.

Black women should realize the importance loving the color that they possess and accept the beauty of it.

Managing to be in the spotlight for 20 years, Tyra Banks learned to value her color and use for positive being a successful model and captivating talk show host.

Sistas: More Flavors Than Baskin-Robbins

Mahogany, Chocolate, Mocha.




Caramel, Vanilla, Butterscotch.




Cinnamon, Fudge, Cocoa Brown




It is so many flavors and distinctions and variations in the color of African American women. From Tyra Banks to Oprah Winfrey to Lena Horne to India Arie to Michelle Obama--why is it so pertinent to distinguish certain characteristics or qualities of the light-skinned Black woman from the dark-skinned Black women?




Why it is that a certain skin tone defines what kind of woman a Black person may be? Everyone Black woman has their own style and aura about them. No one woman is ever the same. Having attitudes is universal. Being beautiful is universal. It is no rule in society that says that if a Black woman, dark-skinned or light-skinned, must possess a checklist of "must-have" qualities.




The variations in color consists of what makes the culture of African Americans so rich, so appealing and so diverse.