Dark girls deserve better
By DWIGHT HOBBES
Black was only so beautiful when the phrase hit in the 60s. Sure, we were at the tumultuous crest of a movement to throw off society”™s shackles and, in the process, bolster self-esteem. Superficiality, though, runs deep. While we were exultant, reveling in social revolt, it didn”™t displace an entrenched ideal. It didn”™t cure a psychological infection. Folk with African features were no more attractive than they had been since the advent of that age old ditty, “If you”™re white, just right. Yellow is mellow. Brown can stick around. If y”™ black, get back.” However, times have changed, this has stayed the same.
Hence, “Dark Girls”, a documentary the Association of Black Psychologists credits with providing,“an opportunity to take a soul-searching look at the effects of racism affect on the self-image of black women. Among several salient aspects tackled in the film, the powerful impact of America”™s insidious media is given a good, insightful look-see. Ironically, candid comment comes from, all sources, white hip-hop journalist, Soren Baker, who observes, “I”™ve always found it hypocritical that rappers [claim to have] black pride, then”¦have [predominantly] light-skinned women or women who aren”™t black in their videos, especially as the love interest.”
CJ Walker, the first black millionaire, made and sold hair straightener, predating such idiocy as is noted in the film. Including skin-bleaching (remember, Michael Jackson?), a multi-billion dollar business in which people ascribe to the faith that being lighter brings a better life. Beauty being in the eye of the beholder, they actually have a point. Worse than grown women who play head-games with themselves, desperate to look white as possible, it”™s heartbreaking to watch, for instance, the open scene in which an innocent child states, “I don”™t want to be called black.” The also film reports on a new version of the 1940s experiment by Kenneth and Mamie Clark, in which children clearly exhibited self-hatred, favoring light hued dolls over dark ones.
Noted actor-director Bill Duke, who, with D. Channsin Berry, produced and directed “Dark Girls,” was asked, ”˜Why are you airing our dirty laundry?”™ His reply: “It”™s stinkin”™ up the house.” Like Chris Rock”™s documentary, “Good Hair,” another no punches pulled examination of black folks”™ folly; “Dark Girls” holds a mirror up for the color-struck among us to see for themselves exactly what they are: self-deluded phonies whose dedication to white supremacy poisons the minds and hearts of girls growing into women. FYI: “Dark Girls” 2 dropped in March, expanding the scope to an international perspective.
Anok Yai, ranked the world”™s most beautiful woman and the richest model, is, yes, white-girl pretty. She”™s also black as the ace of spades. There may be hope yet.
Dwight gives a clear conception of the effects of inner culture issues, and reasons why white supremacy affects they The was some black people see themselves in the greater scope of society.