why do black people?

Question

why do black people separate and label themselves dark-skinned, brown-skinned, and light-skinned? I think it's stupid. they're all black. I don't see the difference.

Answer 1

We are all various shades of brown and tan. Because such an emphasis was put on color back in the day (people passing so that they could live without discrimination) it just carried on thorough the generations.

Answer 2

Well, I think it goes back to when African American people were slaves. Every since then, there has always been some sort of seperation in our race by skin tone. Most, well ALL darker-skinned slaves were treated the worst and given the most back-breaking tedious work, whereas, their lighter-skinned counterparts, had more cushy, light-weight jobs in their masters home, hence the phrase, and please excuse me for this "House ******". And because of this seperation, alot of resentment was then internalized between our race against eachother. There has always seem to be a bit more favoritism and leniency towards lighter-skinned blacks because some may have felt that these African Americans were more pleasant to look upon. But the fact alot of people steer away from is the fact that the REAL reason why they were so much more lighter-skinned is the fact that their mothers were repeatedly raped by their masters and bore their children. But even today, in 2006, there is still animosity between dark-skinned and light-skinned African Americans. Just look at TV, the most favored African Americans TV personalities, celebritites and models have light skin, long hair and light colored eyes. Last but not least, this self hatred that we have towards eachother is just another form of the infamous "Willie Lynch" syndrome, and that's a whole other topic to touch on. If you have time, do a little internet research on a study that was conducted back in 60's that took school-aged African American kids, around maybe 5 or 6 years old and had them choose the "prettiest" baby doll, with one doll being Caucassian and one doll being African American. 99% of these kids picked the Caucassian doll. So even at an early age, we have been taught that lighter skin is favored more than dark. It is ignorant and stupid, but they're just labels, not terms of endearment or degredation.

Answer 3

In reality... we are all human beings so it should not make a difference. However, it goes back to slavery unfortunately... when the white slave masters raped the black slaves, the offspring came out different "shades". Black people may seem to be obsessed with it because they have been taught that there are differences over generations. I think most of it is on a subconscious level now.
During slavery the dark skinned slaves were often angry or jealous because lighter skinned slaves were brought in to the home to work because they were more acceptable and appealing to the white slave masters and their families. So because the slaves were treated differently because of their "skin" color it started the labeling amongst them.

Answer 4

I am black but light skinned, my husband says that I am a high side of yellow he is just playing but yes we do label each other. Take a look at a music video the light girls are in the front and darker ones in the back

Answer 5

i am italian and am darker than many african americans (although i am not overly dark). my roots are traced back to abruzzie and napels. black is a derogotory label, and in my opinion is racist, yet it is still used not only by individuals but organizations of all sizes. God help us. The levels of darkness are castes, and now prejuidces that exist, i.e., darker skinned come from and are destined to working class. the lighter skinned variety will be welcomed into an affluent society more readily, ect.

Answer 6

There's a difference. My uncle is very dark black, but because my aunt is white, their kids are a light brown. I would think it's like white people saying someone looks Irish or German.

Answer 7

Because they are all black people. Just different skin-toned. There is nothing 'hidden' in the description, just different. I use to wonder the same thing about whites. I mean why some could call the others 'white trash'. To me, that was degrading the whole race because if one called another white trash and they are white to, doesn't that make them white trash to. May God Bless

Answer 8

because blacks can be just as racist as anyone else. Why do they call themselves African Americans when 99 percent of them have never been there. they were born and raised right here in the U. S. of A . as were their parents and grandparents and great grandparents. I have a friend who hates being called African American, his parents are Jamacian. So do we call him Jamacan american? im italian so am i Italian american? why are indians called native americans, I was born and raised here and so were my parents grandparents etc... am i not native to this country? When will we stop labeling everyone and just call everyone Americans. Political Correctness is for politicians.

Answer 9

I think it's a shame but society has made many of them feel like the lighter their skin is the more accepted they are . I'm white and no color of skin matters to me

Answer 10

Because being African American means that your not 100% African. I'm African American and I have tan skin with green eyes. Obviously I'm not 100% African. I consider myself light-skinned.African Americans (Black people)come in all colors of the rainbow.