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.

High Pedestal

Being put on a high pedestal is like being in the spotlight. People watch your every move, every change, and every mistake. Some African Americans will favor you if you have long and straight hair and a smooth complexion. Having these certain features can put light-skinned Black women on a very high pedestal.

Because of this, it pains me to feel that I am valued more if I am a lighter skin shade. Even though I am a lighter shade of brown, this idea makes me feel like I am a representation of something that is wrong. But this is a color that I can not help!

For a notion to exist is simply crude and unjust! Why should my friends of dark complexion have to be discriminated against because they are not light? Just because they look better, why do young Black girls grow up playing with dolls that can pass for White? Why is that what is beautiful in Africa, is not beautiful in the United States?

From the beginning of time, African American girls and women have been brainwashed to believe these crippling perceptions that they did not know would follow them throughout their entire life. I have encounted instances where I have seen the brighter woman get the position with the huge salary, benefits, corner office with the city view; but the darker woman got the position as her administrative assistant. It is still a respectable and honorable position but, the darker woman is still in the position under the lighter woman.

According to Yasmine Toney, a dark skinned woman of Detroit, said on MSNBC. com --“I think they get to slide in a little easier,” Toney, who is pursuing a master’s degree in counseling, said of women with lighter skin. “They are assumed to be passive and nice and sweet. I feel I have to do a little bit more. Number one, I’m black. Number two, I’m dark and I have short hair."


When I watch the latest music videos on BET and MTV, I notice that the video models are light skinned and have European features and have long silky hair, mostly hair weave, that are depicted as physical attributes. It is disturbing because many kids tune in to watch these music videos and they do not get to see the beautiful variations in color of African American women.


It is no wonder that Whites and other races think that light skinned woman are socially acceptable because of what they see in the media. Also, I notice even with dating that there are certain stereotypes attached to dark and light skinned women. In my own group of friends, I have heard my male friends say that they would not date a darker women because they do not want to deal with hassle of their "bad attitudes" and "mood swings."


Within the same conversation, they said that they would rather have a relationship with a light skinned woman because she is "nice" and "well mannered" and "prettier than most." In my own encounters with the opposite sex, I was favored not because of my bubbly personality and sense of humor but simply because I was a "yellowbone" or "redbone."


Neither dark skinned women nor light skinned women should be casted as a certain stereotype because of characteristics and traits of the them. No one person should be put on a high pedestal because of how they act or how they perceive to be--let alone what color they possess.


Further elaborating on this issue is Black Horizons Magazine writer, Tia Ewing, with her article, "Light Skin verses Dark Skin--What's In?"


African Americans were suppressed and oppressed for hundreds of years due to slavery. Within the idea of slavery was an overall mental blockade. This blockade affected the idea of unity within our race to prevent any plausible cause of revolting against slave masters. Sadly enough, this idea still looms in our modern-day culture.


Many African-Americans are feeling the wrath of racial segregation. However, this racial injustice is stemming from none other but our own people.


For years television has depicted light-skinned African Americans as beautiful, probably because light-skin is the closest thing to being Caucasian. Are media networks like MTV and BET contributing to this notion that stems from slavery?


“I feel that BET is contributing to the younger generation’s views on skin color,” said ‘D,’ a sophomore who did not want his name mentioned. “BET shows a lot of videos that depict beauty as light skin with long hair.”


Music networks may be a contributing factor to the problem, which leaves some black women in the cold. However, black men have a mind of their own when picking their women. Or do they?“


My preference is dark-skinned females, due to the fact that my grandmother is dark-skinned and I think that persuades how I feel,” said Idris Green, a senior in history. “There is a perception that light-skinned is better, not to say that it is true. I feel it is just an image.”


“The image in the media is the light-skinned black woman or white woman,” said ‘A,’ a sophomore who wished not to be mentioned.


“I am fed up with foreign (models) in the videos who need a green card. Why not put a real citizen in the videos? Do you think Jay-Z knew any beautiful models when he was a nobody, looking like a camel!”


“I would love to see a dark-skinned person in the videos, but not too many people find dark skin beautiful,” said Brian, a recent graduate from Ohio State. “Who cares what color you are as long as you’re fine, I don’t care.”


Since the media and the rest of society seems to think of the light-skinned black person as more acceptable in magazines like Cosmopolitan, and TV advertisements like Noxzema facial cleanser, is this stereotype trickling down to what blacks think is an acceptable skin color? Are African Americans now starting to categorize the light-skinned black as being better than the dark-skinned black person, especially when it comes to male/female relations?


“I love all black women, they are all beautiful! There are so many to choose from. Who would want a white woman with all the beautiful, intelligent sistas in this world, said Lee, a senior. “Besides, all black women have a butt bigger than J.Lo, so I don’t understand the hype about her. It is sad that brothers are so lost, using and abusing their women.”


“If a man is going to judge me on account of what I look like, instead of what I have to offer mentally, then he is not worth my time,” said Trishana Jones, a junior. “Men watch TV and see all these light-skinned females with nice figures and they have the idea of that it is what all women should look like. That’s nice if you have long hair or you look like a model, but that is not being realistic.”


Whether your skin is light or dark, hershey kiss or butterfinger, there is more to African Americans than their outer appearance. It’s just unfortunate that the media doesn’t always feel the same.

Off the Cuff...

As a Black woman, I feel that this issue needs to be brought to the forefront and out of the closet of "taboo." Though it has been over 200 years since slavery, the issue of color is still affecting and damaging the community of African Americans. African Americans and other ethnicities will not let go the stereotypes of the light-skinned and dark-skinned African American woman.

In the era of slavery, a brown paper bag was used to determine access for African Americans if they were the bag's color or lighter. Blacks had to be almost white to be in acceptance into this society. In 2008, can you imagine young Black woman still having to deal with this matter? I CAN.

Latasha Edwards of The Famuan wrote in her article, "Dark Days for Black Women", "People are conditioned to think that dark skin is ugly. This goes back to the slavery when people thought that light skin was better because it was closer to white."

People living in this generation would not think that an object as simple as a brown paper bag would bring so much hatred, so much difficulty, so much indescribable anguish to a race of people--but it did. This symbol of admission and acceptance diminished spirits, eradicated self-esteem, and weakened the pride of the many African Americans whom were comfortable with their skin color.

As a young child, growing up in a predominately Black neighborhood, I quickly learned that I was treated differently by my peers and even some adults. I was always picked on at school for having "good" hair, having a positive attitude, a bright complexion. I did not see these attributes as really special, after all I was a child, but the children I came in contact with proved differently. Because of these instances, I have always had a strong resentment toward the stereotype that people compare to me. I believe the most damaging thing about stereotypes is the image it is damaging.

But the saga continues...

Now in my early twenties, I am still battling with being stereotyped as" naturally pretty", "uppity", or "even pleasant." Those assuming characteristics are nice and all but I am MORE than just what society paints me.

On a good day, I am pleasant; but on a bad day, I can be a person's worst nightmare. These "traits" do not formulate the person I am. This is a perfect example of how these stereotypes do not apply to the light-skinned and dark-skinned African American woman. I am of the lighter complexion but this shade does not have to define what kind of man I date, what position I hold, or how people will treat me. On the other hand, some African Americans and other ethnicities stereotype dark complexioned Black women as unattractive, authoritative, and rude, which is also morally incorrect.

Yasmine Toney of MSNBC.com "Party for light-skinned Blacks bombs" said “I’m perceived to be aggressive, assertive, attitude-having ... a lot of things, because my complexion is darker,” said the 24-year-old receptionist.

Every once in a while, Toney and other dark-skinned women across the country might hear "You're pretty for a dark girl." How wrong is that statement? In African American men, I have observed, particularly in my age bracket (15-34 yrs. of age), that they tend to be attracted to the light woman with the "supposedly wonderful" qualities than the dark woman who may have or does not have those qualities.

Within my circle of friends, we have discussed how this issue is affecting our community and the relationship between both sexes. Through our conversation, we came to the conclusion that to some African Americans and other races, light women are valued as more of a commodity rather than the darker woman that may be even more beautiful.

Indeed, this is wrong and I am not in any shape, form or fashion complying with this idea. Because this notion exists, I have struggled with my color and the complications of being put on a high pedestal because of it.