Is skin color an issue in Black America?

Question

I am a Black female.
There are many different shades and colors of Black people. It is a beautiful concept- God has created all of us to be unique and attractive in our own way. (He's God and he probably knows what he's doing.)
But it irritates me beyond belief when somebody (especially a Black person) says that he or she refuses to date or associate with a Black who is the wrong complexion. Doesn't that sound like self-hatred.
Anyways, I know that this is starting to sound kind of like a rant, but here's my question.
Has anybody else ever observed this problem or is it just me?

Answer 1

Its true... even on Y!A there's this particular girl who keeps on saying that she isn't black she's 'light-skinned'. Now I think we should just find her and beat her a**, lol. In this day and age when we blacks are trying to eliminate racism from white, we have to deal with it from our own people too? That's sad. Black is black - no matter what shade you are. Be proud of what you are. This crap about mulatto is sickening to me. Embrace your heritage and stop trying to please the white man. This aint slavery no more - we don't have to do what they say.

We are a beautiful race of all shades. I'm light-skinned and my boyfriend is dark-skinned. I don't care. I don't even see skin colour when I see a person. This whole talk of skin lighteners and whatever - self hatred has to stop. This is why racism still exists. Because they realize that we are weak. We need to stand up and be proud - be nationalistic. Be black.

Take care hon :)

Answer 2

This is an issue in our community. It's also an issue amongst other races for instance some caucasion men only want to date blonds. I have heard some complain about their sking complection being too white. But I do think thats its much worse in our community and gets been going on too long. I don't see it as being a problem however if a person has their preference. For instance if a woman is more attracted to dark skin men and she chooses to date only dark skin men because that's who she's attracted to then that her perogative, I see no problem. But when it comes down to being prejudice of one another because of the shade of their skin then thats a problem. Some people think fairer skinned blacks quote un quote redbones are stuck up just because of their complexion. Some people will say that dark skinned blacks are ugly without even looking at their face, eyes, smile etc. just because of their complexion. Now that I feel is ignorant.

Answer 3

Wow... this does definitely sound like self-hatred. I appreciate Blacks of all shades (I've written many poems celebrating the beauty of Black men), but I have heard of people preferring certain shades for whatever reason. Just as some Whites may prefer blondes, brunettes, red heads, or blue or brown eyes, Blacks too can have a preference.

At one point I had a HUGE affinity towards deep chocolate men during my ultra pro-black years... after that I had a thing for extraordinarily tall men... to each his own. I've grown up since then and now appreciate all shades of Black... and all heights. :)

Answer 4

Im also a black female, and no, you're not the only one who has noticed this problem.

My best friend since middle school, she is a light skinned female, but in her eyes, she's not light enough. She's constantly talking negatively about other light-skinned females; saying how they're stuck up, or their conceited, etc etc. Yet she will only date very light skinned men or men who are mixed. Because of this very issue, Im no longer friends with her.

Then I have to go to work, and hear my black co-workers constantly complain about how hard life is for a dark-skinned black woman, and how easy it is for a light skinned black woman. And while that may be so in some instances, its not true in all, yet these women will talk down about light skinned women like its their fault that other people choose to elevate them based on their complexion. Then I hear the dark-skinned males complain that while they love black women of all shades, they will only date non-black women because they claim they don't want their kids to "go through what I went through."

When I hear these things, I just shake my head, because it's a vicious cycle of self-hatred that doesn't seem to be stopping anytime soon. I just make sure the people I associate with don't think like this, and I, myself, don't fall into that type of thinking either.

Answer 5

Oh my God sure. Color is a colossal limitation on this nation!!! Racism could be very a lot nonetheless alive... it's only extra of a refined factor... it's not as blunt. Now it's extra whatever to be embarrassed about publicly... however plenty of folks have problems with folks of unique races. A lot of the challenge comes from lack of know-how... and in addition segregation. I did not cross to institution with one black individual till I reached prime institution even then there have been only some. ha the city I reside in now the blacks (for almost all) reside within the north facet of the city, the hispanics reside int he south and whites reside int he west. Very segregated.

Answer 6

I remember in elementary school there was a boy with very dark skin. I noticed how his own race openly made fun of him. Yet if another race had done that it would have been totally unacceptable. I felt bad for him & wondered about the same thing you're asking. I've also heard black co-workers making comments about darker complexion people.

Answer 7

I know exactly what you are saying. I am an African-Jamaican-Native American, meaning I am of lighter complexion. My fiance is from Africa, very dark, and when I go to his social gatherings I feel completely out of place. I think that it's becomes a problem because the people know that you are not "EXACTLY" like them if you don't have their exact skin color. Unfortuantely African Americans tend to be raised to be defensive due to the sociatal strain that is put upon our cultures and that is really the main problem I believe. I am proud of my culture, including my skin color, and if that makes me not fit in with a particular group then that is how it is supposed to be. Culture is most important, make sure you don't lose it by falling victim to the pushes and pulls of cultural attitudes.

Answer 8

I have many friends of all races, religions and colors, persay, and I just wanted to say that I applaud your statement of: "There are many different shades and colors of Black people. It is a beautiful concept- God has created all of us to be unique and attractive in our own way. (He's God and he probably knows what he's doing.)" I, for one, am about as "white" as you can get (Irish heritage) and I don't care about the color of anyone. I have raised my kids to be the same. I am so proud of them for accepting everyone equally. As I once heard a christian comedian say..."we're just all different shades of tan" :) Now, if only more people would feel that way!

Answer 9

Yes, I see it all the time. My roommate is light skinned and she hates dark people. She likes me only because I'm nice and brown. I was trying to introduce her to my boyfriend (he's African and has very dark skin) and she wouldn't come into the lobby where he was. I worked with a girl who refused to talk to me because she has light skin, and her mother said all dark skin girls are loud and ghetto. It’s even in the media, movies and videos. They would rather cast a girl with light skin and curly hair than a black chick with a weave or her natural hair. I personally think it's heinous. I love my people all shades black is beautiful and so is light skin. And until we get the problems fixed within our own race, that’s when we can tackle the outside issues.

Answer 10

Yes I have...I know people who won't date people because they are too dark or a "red bone". I think people just have different preference. I only date dark skinned guy cause that what I like. But there is nothing wrong with anyone of a different shade.