Why do a lot of lighter skinned black people think they're better then darker skinned black people?

Answer 1

This was taught by slavemasters to african american slaves in the 1700s through a philosophy taught by a man named Willie Lynch but honestly all humans treat each other bad because of differences regardless of race. African Americans are divided becuase it is a learned habit...the lighter skinned slave was placed inside to work while the darker skinned ones were in the field...Nowadays however it is considered sexy to be dark and Afro americans are beginning to wear their hair natural.

Answer 2

I know that some people still think like that. And many will always think like that. Back in the day, that was the thing for a black person to be light skin or even pass for white. But now, it kind of changed. But it still a big issue. If you're black ,you're black. Even if you're mixed. No matter if you're light or dark. What people fail to realize is that there are different shades of color for all races. There's not just one. I'm light skin, and I can't help it. But I'm not setting myself on a pedestal says "light is right". My mom has told me stories about when she was in high school, and how people thought that my mom was stuck up because she's light skin with "good hair'. But they were so totally wrong, my mother never thought like that. My grandma wouldn't even give a a minute to. So, has for me I can say that I don't think like that at all. But as for some people, it might still be that mentality that was taught to us throughout history that being lighter is better,and it's ignorant to think that way. And they just haven't found a new way to live, and think. So, I go on the record for all the light skin folks, who don't think that way.

Answer 3

First of all, the idea that light skinned people are better than dark skinned people is a bunch of bull. To society, we are all black. That is why black people as a race is the most divided of all races. Sad to say, however, in the dirty south, it is true, light skinned people DO think that the are better than dark skinned people. Let me tell you something. Both my parents are dark skinned. They have two light skinned children and two darker children. I am one of the darker children. I've always been proud of my brown skin because it is beautiful and I would never want to be light skinned on my worst day. There are light skinned women that are intimidated by me. I believe that beautiful women are not judged by thier skin color. Either you are beautiful or you're not. Plain and simple.

Answer 4

Do you mean biracial people black AND white? I like first girls answer. But I dont think Im better than anyone but I do feel that some black girls/women are intimitated by us because that is what alot of them SHOW us. It is not in our minds but if you get treated badly almost everywhere you go by darker women, and put two and two together what do you come up with? I think that some african americans segregate themselves. Every where me and my friends go (that are biracial) black girls and women are really mean to us for no reason and its not just us thinking that. I think dark skin is beautiful and people should be more proud of it. And like I said, I like the first girls answer...about how black people make fun of each other if one is darker than the others....So WE didnt create that assumption. And being ''light skinned'', I can honestly say i dont agree with it either. EVERYONE should be happy in their own skin.

Answer 5

For countless years, blacks were told that we were not as good as other races because we were born with darker skin, and kinkier hair. The blacks who were born with lighter complexions and straighter hair were somehow "better" than their darker skinned brethen (remember the phrase 'light, bright, and almost white?'), and were also quicker to be accepted into society (not only that of the whites, but also of the blacks). For countless years society has also been force fed images of the "ideal" beauty: straight hair, light eyes, light skin, etc., and this was in turn, enhanced by white's or light skiinned blacks only being allowed to become hollywood actors, or models. Over time, the black race has become so acclimated to this forced image of what color is right, and what color is wrong, that we have become to hate our own darker skin colors and embrace that the lighter your skin is, the better you are. Even today, the media and magaizine covers are scoured with images of lighter skinned, exotic looking women with scarcely a dark skinned person to be found ( except maybe in the background somewhere). That is the reason many lighter skinned blacks believe that they are so much "better" than the darker skinned of ones. If you are told something all your life, and are treated a certain way by different members of society, than eventually, you believe that it is true (and act accordingly).The lighter skinned blacks feel special because they were born with the majority imagined "ideal" look (or close to it). My Granny was the same way. She was fair skinned with light eyes and straight hair and harbored disdain for any black person darker than I (a caramel brown color). She even claimed that my daughter was too dark, and she is dark brown!! I do not blame it on my Granny, or any other person who believes that lighter skinned black people are better than the darker skinned of us. I blame it on the ignorance and shame of over 500 years of racism, stereotypes, and oppression that has led us (blacks) down the road to our own self-hatred. I love my color, myself and my beautiful cocoa colored daughter...and so does her white step-father. But, I certainly feel empathy for the many individuals still mired in the skin color issue and wish them all the best of luck in finding a good psychiatrist.

Answer 6

I'm not sure myself because I am a dark skinned girl, and I know my friend is light skinned and she likes to call herslf sexy caramel, and sometimes that gets me upset. I know my sister took my moms ligt skinned color and she thinks she's better than me and my brother. And i know people at school who call this boy burned cookie, because he's dark. I just can't understand, the world today. I don't know about anyone else, but i'm proud of my color, and I see a lot of people who where light skinned kids are now getting to be my color.

Answer 7

They themselves may experience what white people might think towards darker ones. At the same time all people should be taught to be tolerant towards each other regardless skin color and face features.

Answer 8

I'm white as white gets, but from my understand, bi-racial people may sometimes feel very defensive about what they are racially because they are not completely white nor completely black and feel lost as to which group to identify with. Not always, but typically, they identify themselves as being black. Why, I do not know. I have a feeling it has to do with their upbringing and environement they grow up in as a child. With time, the bi-racial community will grow larger like any racial group and they will have more people to identify with and share their experiences with and feel less confused (hopefully) about what they are racially. They are in essence, a whole new race of people. Give it another 2,000 years and we'll all probably end up being the same race of people.

Answer 9

If you listen to black people talk to each other they are putting EACH OTHER down because of the darkness of their skin...I teach Jr. High and I am appalled at how cruel black kids can be to other black kids with darker skin, "nappier" hair, bigger noses, etc. It's horrible.

Answer 10

i don't know why but i do know some light skinne black people that have nappy hair.... but i think blacks discriminate eachother and they expect other races to respect them when they don't even do it among them!!! no matter how dark or light...u are still black u like it or not... and they need to acept it and love one another as one.