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.
