Something I Said

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.”… Read the rest “Something I Said”