08 Jun 2011
Posted by Ask Kissy Staff 
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Lola Monroec
I would usually start off by saying something like “As of late “ or “Lately” to begin talking about the current situation that’s been on my mind. But this current situation in particular has been going on for years, is something I know all of you are quite aware of.
The question of the day… Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? I’m light skinned, my family is light skinned (for the most part) but in no way do I feel superior or feel that any of my dark brothers and sisters need to be light skinned to be accepted.
There are many beautiful black women out there. And I must say, in being light skinned, I am a victim of the constant ”5 o’clock shadow” I notice a lot of dark skinned guys have little to no stubble… Dark Skinned 1 – Light Skinned 0
Back to what I was saying… The Foxy’s, the Kim’s and the Nicki’s all have undergone many modifications in order to be more sexy. Not to say that plastic surgery is solely a problem relevant to black women, but the issues in respects to plastic surgery involving women of color, are deeper and more complex than a New Jersey housewife wanting bigger breast to please her husband.
The three aforementioned women are all female rappers who are successful artists in the world of hip-hop. Hip-Hop creates an outlet for many young, creative and sometimes poverty stricken individuals to achieve greatness and significant social recognition. Aside from the positive nature of hip-hop, there are aspects of criminal recollection and traces of obvious masculinity, misogyny and sexism.
Because Hip-Hop is seemingly a man’s game, women who wish to partake in this industry must be highly skillful to participate. Female rappers are placed under a microscope and even then, are often overlooked due to the fact they are unable to specifically relate to the abundance of male listeners. Many fans, as well as music industry higher ups sometimes overlook skill, and instead focus on physical appearance.
“Nicki Minaj has set the bar so high that whoever the new female rappers is, and I’ve heard one or two females so far and they’re horrible and I’m real hard on female rappers, seriously. I ain’t with the bullsh*t, don’t come too hard, you gotta be sexy and look like Nicki Minaj and sh*t. She got it.” - Sha Money XL (Senior VP of A&R at Def Jam)
This is a quote from an actual music executive saying self image is VERY important if you are a female rapper and you wish to succeed…basically,you must have an ass like Nicki Minaj, dress sexy and say outlandish shit. Not my opinion, but seems to be the current formula in the music industy, and is working.
Self image or Self Perception is something that is very important to everyone, more importantly women. The media perpetuates these ideals of being attractive in order to be relevant. The reason why people, famous or not, strive to alter their appearance is because of others opinions. People see themselves, as other see them, as demonstrated in the “Looking Glass-Self theory” a concept developed by Charles Horton Cooley. In this theory, Cooley explains how people develop a sense of self, complied of the several points of views of other people. In this case, the media is the “looking glass” in which many people use to look at themselves.
As far as black female rappers are concerned, In our commuities black identity is something that can be confusing as it is. When you incorporate the desperation to look sexy with the lack of strong sense of self, you get an outcome much like Lil Kim’s.
Women in the public eye that are expected to be sex symbols go through many changes, minor and drastic in order to stay in the fantasies of men. Many changes are made on a quest for” beauty” whether its Kim’s bleached skin, blond weaves and wigs or Foxy’s blue eyes.
RIP
I often wonder what Sammy Sosa or Lil Kim was thinking when they began to undergo these drastic changes in their appearance. Didn’t they learn anything from Michael Jackson? ( may he rest in peace ) In light of his major achievements and unequivocal fame, he was still regarded as a strange individual who was constantly scrutinized by the very people who he decided to transform for.
I just hope people, including myself, will strive to alter the current opinions of an attractive self image, not just for the famous people like Nicki and Kim…but the younger people and the generations that will follow ours.
It's like they're following a format.
JAY RASEAN
246 Comments
Sorry theirs a new era of style of expression of the hour of our time for us .
Who gives a care….dumb black people let white people tell them how to feel about themselves….Im proud to be black and i aint lettin nobody tell me what beauty is. They take these artists and make them do this stuff cause they tryin to program our minds as to what beauty is….And unfortunatly for many black people they actually fall for it lol. I love dark women and we dont need to use some little tactics to make their kids wanna be black!
Girl girl girl! the thought of this angers me because I thought we had grown as a whole. I mean, this is what they wanted us to look like in the 80′s. ITS 2011!
It seems more and more celebrities are bleaching their skin (including news reporters smh). And every rap artist under the sun are suddenly singling out “yellow bones”. When I heard this I’m like “damn, they even took red out! What the hell is a yellow bone! Lol so blacks, browns and even reds are assumed to be unattractive now!?!
Ugh! So frustrating since I know beauty comes in every complexion. AND SO DOES UGLY.
@Connie I agree! Do you think white is becoming the new black? Black people have always had a problem with self image. I think our black celebs are making it much worse.
I can't really think of any truly "Black Female" artist of late. Most are bi-racial (whatever that means). Where's Aretha, Chaka, Natalie, Latiffa?…………………Oh my bad ……….we still have Fantasia……….?!?!?
Identity Crisis: Behind the Music – Is looking black out of style? http://tiny.ly/TJId
If u like lighter woman.hmmm. It shouldnt be a issue. Dont single a certain shade of woman# out.
One thing they feed us is that mixed kids are black…no they are not…they’re mixed!!! What they are tryin to do is rid the world of dark skinned people….so they tell blacks this so they mate with whites and make mixed kids. White people are jealous and wanna be us, cant so they wanna destroy us…blacks need to wake up and stop lettin the media program our minds and start thinking for ourselves.
Hell No… And, Those Who Don’t Want To Embrace Their Black Culture, Then Let Them Be White…
Personally I think the “style” is do your own thing. Although you do see Beyonce trying to be blonde Esperanza Spalding rocks a crazy afro. The concept of beauty has changed a lot in recent years to be more aware of other ethnic definitions.
You see more Black ladies going natural or braiding now… I think it’s encouraging to see people do their own thing.
Whatever happened to loving oneself regardless of skin tones?
Why blacks place a label on their selfs. This isnt the past.
Bcuz society has changed and more of our children, teens, and young adults r more open to different cultures than before. Its ok for freedom of expression bcuz that makes us who we r. As long as u know ur heritage and where u come from and where ur going, I don’t see it as an issue. I love my beautiful black skin, and my culture. And I firmly believe in black pride, but I also believe in being urself. And thats what makes u beautiful as well.
@ Abner, yeah I think they’re trying to get rid of us too. In fact I worry about it. So much that I forbid my nephews and younger cousins to date white girls. MY FAMILY WILL NOT BREED THEMSELVES OUT!
But I do find ease in the thought that THEY CAN’T GET RID OF US! WE’RE EVERYWHERE: Africa, Haiti, Europe, Oceania, Jamaica, Belize… etc etc etc. So even if this tiny country does somehow weed us out, we still aren’t going anywhere!
@ Travis I’m gonna have to disagree about Beyonce. She actually gets spray tanned for her videos concerts album promo pics etc. So I guess “Sasha fierce” is bronze and Beyonce is bleached lol cuz underneath all that makeup is a pale faced beyonce. She has no color at all.
Now when looking at her commercials and things, that’s not Beyonce, its the celebrity that the company chose to promote their product. What the makeup artist does has absolutely nothing to do with Beyonce. There have been actual cases on this after the “artist” sees the “finished product”. Not just with Beyonce but with other celebs as well.
Yeah connie it wont happen because black women….Its cause my ignorant azz black brothas that got no pride in their own race. Here in ohio its more common to see black dude dating a white girl lol. black people are like its all good, no its not lol….Yall think white people aint teachin their kids to have pride in who they’re and their race? Black people act like its racist to teach your kids to be proud to be black and stick with your own race. Thats whats wrong with blacks, we’re foolish as a race and naive lol.
I dont know about them but Im loving my locks my carmel colored skin my full lips my high cheekbones and the rest of my full african american “assets”. You dont have imitate anyone else being yourself is good enough.
Michael Jackson looks like his pet monkey…RIP. First what is looking black? Like an African, we definitely don't share features with them. Plus Africa is more diverse than we believe. It doesn't only consist of tribal looking individuals. Not all black people have rough hair and jet black skin. Our diversity of what makes us beautiful and unique as people. It think its more about individuals being self conscious and insecure in there own skin that they want to look different, but that is really no different from a fat person trying to loose weight, minus the knife.
In some cases, then on the other hand i see alot of non blacks that wanna look more on the black side wanting to tan darker & so on
I do not believe that there are many black people that think that at all. The few who do so in any way just get a lot of attention. This non-controversy is similar to interracial dating for those that have an issue with it (not me), most black men marry black women to the sadly low extent they marry anyone, but someone (usually black women) is constantly complaining about the supposed high rate of black men marrying outside their race, in specific to white women (when the rate is actually low).
I say if a person doesn’t date within their race (as opposed to those who date other races in addition to their own) or tries hard to look like a member of a different ethnicity and i don’t mean how they dress but actual physical appearance (exclusion for all the women with weaves or other changes to hair style)- they have deep personal mental issues and you should be happy that their not interested in you.
Personally, they shouldn’t let people tell how to dress or have a say to what is out of style. Secondly, they don’t need to dress to impress some audience nor care what they think. Just be yourself and if dressing black is comfortable then just do it.
RT @KissyDenise: Identity Crisis: Behind the Music – Is looking black out of style? http://fb.me/143avp4X6
There are several things I disagree with in this article. One is black entertainers are not the only people or majority having plastic surgery. Whites are known for getting implants, face lifts, botox, etc. Also what is looking black? Blacks come in all different shades and have all different features. I know someone black that has blue eyes naturally. The only thing I can say that I hate is when black men say they only like light skin women or they only like/date white/ latina women-thats a form of self hate.
Hey Daryll, the topic is about “Black Clothing”, NOT interacial dating; Bruh Bruh :-/
BTW, since when did clothing ever have an ethnic designation to it? Doesn’t make sense to me :-/
It's part of the European Societal Metality put on us,lol. Smh. Black doesn't sell Sweetie,lol. It's not as MARKETABLE. This has been discussed in Sabbath School a many ah day by the wise Bishop whoo is pro-black too tha bone. We're the ones with the JUICE trust mee. We shall bee back on TOP as the Kings & Queens our forfathers used ta bee trust mee. Biblically it's alll in prophesy which CAN NOT LIE!
This was a really good read and so true…Kissy I thought you wrote this!! You tricked me LOL I have to give props where they are due…good job Jay…I hate that we have been programmed to think that we have to pretty much lessen out blackness to be sexy. The famale rappers with skill get over looked becasue of their apperance…that is just nuts…The color contact madness really needs to end…
@ daryll exactly thts how i feel about black men when they say white women are better thts y they date them thts jus ignorant and i feel a white woman can have their ignorant asses
This was a really good article you wrote Jay Rasean. Thanks for submitting it.
Thank you!
RT @KissyDenise: RETWEET : Identity Crisis: Behind the Music – Is looking black out of style? http://fb.me/143avp4X6
what is looking black and not looking black, please explain? We as people of color, black, african american, etc have all kinds of style. I would feel disrespected if you said I looked black or not black
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
http://www.askkissy.com/2011/06/08/identity-crisi… Being black is not cool
http://www.askkissy.com/2011/06/08/identity-crisi… Being black is not cool
http://www.askkissy.com/2011/06/08/identity-crisi… Being black is not cool
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >>> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >>> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >>> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >>> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >>> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >>> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >>> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >>> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black? >>> http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
This was a great post Kissy. Very thought provoking. It’s a discussion that is definitely needed to make people stop and think about the self destructive behavior plaguing the black community.
Posted these on the wrong one: will transfer them! “Looking black?” C’mon, now. That sounds like some ish the majority would pin on us, like “sounding black”. I’m me. I do me. I don’t dress my race. Now, I do admit that there is a thing as dressing to the standard to fit in and get business handled and done with, but you can say that of anything – even if I like wearing black lipstick and a studded collar, if I’m trying to make my bread, you won’t catch me wearing that to work.
There was an article on this, I forget where – maybe I’ll look it up later – but they were saying that a lot of people from my generation expect that “being accepted” more into the mainstream culture and workplace meant that you should be able to wear your saggy, ass-bearing pants to the ground in the office. No, no, no. There is a time and place for personal expression. And to be honest, Nicki Minaj is dressing now the way that many of “us” have been dressing for years. It just wasn’t in back then.
Okay, last thing, I swear to god: technically, you can say “looking black” has been out of style since the first relaxer or hot comb was invented….
Now if this is SOLELY about the physical attributes – bleaching skin, hair, contacts, etc – I can understand. But we also need to remember that Nicki isn’t really American black in the first place, yeah? Isn’t the Trini?
The minute that we black women as a whole can throw out the relaxer is the minute we can lament “not wanting to look black”. We give ourselves white people hair, permanently shunning our hair as “nappy” and “bad”, when everyone knows that no matter what the race, a woman’s hair is her pride. You start with that being “bad”, and it’s no surprise all the rest of it will follow in needing to be changed to be “good”.
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
RT @JraseanJ: Why Is it, so many black people believe in order to be attractive, they have to look less…Black??? http://bit.ly/lmLxu0
It is about appearing less black to be sexy…it is about women not being able to make it in the rap game…unless they are highly/stereotypically attractive…not about clothing…and it is so on point…it is a shame this is goin on…foxy brown…beautiful lady dark than me…blue contacts :-/ nicki minaj very pretty…done bought a booty..
I had my hair dyed red a month or so ago! I am biracial and a female friend told me my red hair made me look too “black” and would limit my dating prospects!! WTF!!??
do u think that is part of the reason why Lauryn let the game? We can say she had/has mental issues but she had stated several times that the business wante dto own her & change her …she was a formidable lyrisit and embraced her afrocentric features and experienece in her music ..whether she sang or rapped…. and she was successful …what happened?
great article
Ms.Walker put me on ur 2 date list…movies,park, etc.Atl.,Ga.
Why do some black people feel like they need to look less black in order to be successful? http://tiny.ly/CAy5
Why do some black people feel like they need to look less black in order to be successful? http://tiny.ly/CAy5
Why do some black people feel like they need to look less black in order to be successful? http://tiny.ly/CAy5
Why do some black people feel like they need to look less black in order to be successful? http://tiny.ly/CAy5
Why do some black people feel like they need to look less black in order to be successful? http://tiny.ly/CAy5
Why do some black people feel like they need to look less black in order to be successful? http://tiny.ly/CAy5
Why do some black people feel like they need to look less black in order to be successful? http://tiny.ly/CAy5
Why do some black people feel like they need to look less black in order to be successful? http://tiny.ly/CAy5
Why do some black people feel like they need to look less black in order to be successful? http://tiny.ly/CAy5
Why do some black people feel like they need to look less black in order to be successful? http://tiny.ly/CAy5
Why do some black people feel like they need to look less black in order to be successful? http://tiny.ly/CAy5
Why do some black people feel like they need to look less black in order to be successful? http://tiny.ly/CAy5
Well I’ve noticed(on t.v.) just the opposite.
Ahhhh!! LOL @ Harold! THANK YOU, Sir!! Are you sure I’m not “too Black” for you?! @ everyone else…I am sick and tired of people/clients telling me I “sound White” on the phone and when they meet me in person, they are SHOCKED!!! What EXACTLY is “sounding white” but “looking too Black”!?
@abigail walker I really loathe that term sounded white or acting white or vice versa so you mean to tell me that you can actually sound a color negative why can’t youj just sound educated or sound uneducated smh. Ppl really need to get over themselves and the entertainment business has life messed up the more eccentric the person is the more they will make it if you are just true to urself sporting ur own shelf then you don’t make it sad so sad
RT @KissyDenise: Identity Crisis: Behind the Music – Is looking black out of style? http://fb.me/K8OpWIRq
RT @KissyDenise: Identity Crisis: Behind the Music – Is looking black out of style? http://fb.me/K8OpWIRq
RT @KissyDenise: Identity Crisis: Behind the Music – Is looking black out of style? http://fb.me/K8OpWIRq
RT @KissyDenise: Identity Crisis: Behind the Music – Is looking black out of style? http://fb.me/K8OpWIRq
RT @KissyDenise: Identity Crisis: Behind the Music – Is looking black out of style? http://fb.me/K8OpWIRq
RT @KissyDenise: Identity Crisis: Behind the Music – Is looking black out of style? http://fb.me/K8OpWIRq
RT @KissyDenise: Identity Crisis: Behind the Music – Is looking black out of style? http://fb.me/K8OpWIRq
@ Shontae…BRAVO!! Exactly my point!!
Cause ppl don’t embrace what beauty really is me and my friends was just talking about this the other day beauty comes in all shapes and colors and I will never settle for media standards of beauty.. some ppl believe whatever the media tells them and what suppose to look, dress, or act a certain way…….
Hi. Kissy
RT @KissyDenise Identity Crisis: Behind the Music – Is looking black out of style? http://t.co/S4hGxe6
RT @KissyDenise Identity Crisis: Behind the Music – Is looking black out of style? http://t.co/S4hGxe6
RT @KissyDenise Identity Crisis: Behind the Music – Is looking black out of style? http://t.co/S4hGxe6
RT @KissyDenise Identity Crisis: Behind the Music – Is looking black out of style? http://t.co/S4hGxe6
RT @KissyDenise Identity Crisis: Behind the Music – Is looking black out of style? http://t.co/S4hGxe6
RT @KissyDenise Identity Crisis: Behind the Music – Is looking black out of style? http://t.co/S4hGxe6
RT @KissyDenise Identity Crisis: Behind the Music – Is looking black out of style? http://t.co/S4hGxe6
cuz we as a ppl have gotten away from alot of things that have held us up from generation to generation. Our elders b4 us didn’t know half the stuff we know today yet in spite of all the hell they had to go thru with slavery, racism and all that, they lived longer, happier, healthier and more in tune with who they were. They knew that they knew that they knew what BLACK was and what it meant too BE Black. That along with respect for our elders, live and dreams have been lost and we lose more and more with each new generation
Well my take on it is that society tells us black isn’t Beautiful. Black men are constantly dating an marrying outside – particularly celebrities and athletes. So some of us (in an effort to fit in), alter ourselves. We want to look like what we’re told is “beautiful”. Lighter skin, straight longer hair etc. I love my black!
i read Vibe “the sexy issue” – theres a good article called “the diary of kimberly jones” part of it was talking ’bout why lil kim did the changes. Cuz it seemed like biiggie (RIP) preferred lighter skinned women (faith evans, charlie baltimore). And it is sad. Some chicks talk about they prefer a white or spanish guy cuz the child’s skin’ll be lighter and have good hair. Not only dat but the “asian” look’s in. So ppl wanna look asian too.
Ani, yeah I read that about Lil Kim and Biggie a while ago.. It is sad.
biggie wasnt very actractive himself kim couldnt have been serious
Please note that per Michael Jackson's TWO separate autopsies, the man DID in fact have Vitiligo. So, plastic surgery overload? Sure. But the color -or lack of color- in his skin from about 1985 until his death was not of his own doing. The autopsy reports are public record, and online, and anyone can read them.
In another twist of fate. his eldest son, who most of the public assumes is not his biological child, ALSO has vitiligo. Go figure. Genetics are strange things.
Oh my GOD!!! I want to thank you soooooo much for posting this article!! Why? Because, I've had the exact same opinions that were quoted throughout your article. I feel that no one especially, black females shouldn't have to make themselves look like that of lil kim and Nikki to be beautiful. There's a countless number of black women that look like that without changing a thing!! I think Nikki really isn't that good of an artist as it is but for me, being real is a major aspect of being an artist. Nikki, definitely isn't REAL!! It's time to stop this non-sense and not let these Record Labels change people like this. Well, these artist took it upon themselves to listen to these guys and go through with it because they were told it would help their career. My thing is JUST BE REAL!!
I was just having this conversation earlier with a friend of mine. I was sitting in a room full of young African girls, age range 3ish to lower 20's. Every single one of em had on maaaaaddd weave. And it wasn't just the weave that made me uneasy. (I have no problem with weave whatsoever, especially if your shit lookin real fly.) It just seemed to me that they were striving to look like anything but how they were born to look.
So much so that the shit didn't even come off stylish or anything. Just looked like they were taken from Africa put into a production line and everyone was given the same look whether it fit them or not.
Looking Black has never really been "in". Not across the board at least. We been running from ourselves for a long time Black people. Myself included.
They did a number on us for sure. SMH
Why you keep postin this lol
Because everyone hasn’t seen it ABNER….
Cause they have issues Sis! Keep posting…I hadn’t seen it until today…
Not in my book. Daz Dillinger still looks like a Nigro 2 me
But i dont see you postin your other topics a million times lol
Look at Solange Knowles, shes lookin like a real Nigro too
@kizzy my ? is not every black women who burns her hair not guilty of that lol….and this is a message to all women your hair , your skin tone having nothing to do with sexy ….if you are black like coal but have a body like buffie trust there is a million plus brothers who want you lol
IF its out of style allegedly then y are folks clamoring to get surgery for cheekbones, fuller lips, bigger derriere, etc… I won’t get started on art and musical creativity…
identity crisis?
and ni@#ers think this sexy ..decent righteous black folks love black beauty…there is 940 million african folks on the planet the ni@#ers are the minority but yet are the poster for the rest of us negro please lol
this couldnt be so far from the truth! does every ethnicity now have a ‘dresscode’? becuase, that is what i am interpreting. if a Native American wants to look “Jewish”, or an AA wants to look “Caucasian”, then, so be it. A NON ISSUE. ridiculous.
I agree it is a non-issue. At this point I no longer care. We are all spirits in bodies. Lets enjoy the ride.
Ty ELAINE, Abner I’m glad to see that you are paying attention.
thelma from good times was one of the finest black women ever ..and she did not have long weaves that afro was sexy….and she was dark …aslo the model from the sudan is fine …folks in amerikkka are willie lynch to the fulliest
In The Words of Our King of Soul ~ I’m Black & I’m Proud, James Brown…
Wow. This is a totally different perspective than the last time I posted this. These are some very interesting takes on the subject.
Seems like everybody Barbie,lol.And not Black Barbie either,lol.
It has more to do with fitting in to a standard of beauty that is eurocentric. When a woman has natural hair in the industry, it is called “exotic” How is having the natural curls on your head exotic. The industry dictates to artists what is expected of them in the looks department and that expectation is not based on any race but descendants of Europeans
kissy n@@#ers and nubians will always see things different but righteous nubians think black is beautiful african american ni@#E#rs much like their white devil comrades hate black
to them white is pure black is ugly
Ken Ro ~ Love Those Nubians…
It’s a media issue/the man. They portray beauty as u say. They have been brain washing us as a race since our capture. Nubian ppl real da greatest of god’s greatest creation. N dats a power with in itsself. N dats Wht they want to most . Embrace our national form.
They claim that all men were born out of Nigeria but I think when Australia broke from the main continent it took the original man with it . These where the Aboriginals who all “races” where born from their loins. Note the is no such thing …as race. Like dogs were all bread out from the wolf all men were out breads of the Aborignals. When the Romans arrived in Brittan the Brits where still living in the trees and painting their bodies blues and the Germans were animals dressed only in bear skins. Why do pale skin folks go to tanning parlors?
RT @KissyDenise: Why do some black people feel like they need to look less black in order to be successful? http://t.co/AoD3nR8
RT @KissyDenise: Why do some black people feel like they need to look less black in order to be successful? http://t.co/AoD3nR8
This is a pretty good read….RT @BeautyOverBooty: Identity Crisis: Behind the Music – Is looking black out of style? http://t.co/uzmVgo4
Being a black woman is all that I can do. Black is so beautiful and there are so many shades it’s too bad we can’t affirm ourselves and be proud of being black.
@KashDaMoneyMan Is being black going out to style? http://t.co/LtZA6QJ
@HBIC100 Is being black going out to style? http://t.co/LtZA6QJ
@AfieAnn Is being black going out to style? http://t.co/LtZA6QJ
@Teal_Mystique Is being black going out to style? http://t.co/LtZA6QJ
@Katatonik22 Is being black going out to style? http://t.co/LtZA6QJ
@TheRealistRin Is being black going out to style? http://t.co/LtZA6QJ
@BlissBecomesHer Is being black going out to style? http://t.co/LtZA6QJ
@sassydiamond11 Is being black going out to style? http://t.co/LtZA6QJ
"@BeautyOverBooty: @TheRealistRin Is being black going out to style? http://t.co/rO6Kg7y"<hell no we the best (DJ Khaled Voice) lls
@ToyToySoSexy424 Is being black going out to style? http://t.co/LtZA6QJ
@Lightskinchik Is being black going out to style? http://t.co/LtZA6QJ
@Lovely1BossLady Is being black going out to style? http://t.co/LtZA6QJ
@iMirrorDance Is being black going out to style? http://t.co/LtZA6QJ
@DarrowDavis1982 Is being black going out to style? http://t.co/LtZA6QJ
@STUFFOREAL Do you think being black is out of style? http://t.co/qrei68a
@MindyKaruk Do you think being black is out of style? http://t.co/qrei68a
@AbenSare Do you think being black is out of style? http://t.co/qrei68a
@VinceL8st Do you think being black is out of style? http://t.co/qrei68a
YOu have to go past this. The issue is at the surface of society. At the root. I have been asking the question lately after watching a documentary called 500 Years Later: how is it that for so long humanity has continued to fall prey, to an idea of inferiority to europeans? Its not only a "black" thing! All races who have a varying skin tones seem to prefer lighter to darker skin. It happens from mexicans, asians, to arabs. The more white you look, the better. The ideas dispersed in society via media are controlled by the wealthy, who undoubtedly are white. According to the documentary, which I agree with there is a certain negative connotation presented in the media when it pertains to blacks, where its the entertainment aspect or daily news. Not as bad as before. When you are constantly bombarded with images and you are unconscious, not knowing that you are a spirit in a body and not your body, you make choices that reflect that.
YOu have to go past this. The issue is at the surface of society. At the root. I have been asking the question lately after watching a documentary called 500 Years Later: how is it that for so long humanity has continued to fall prey, to an idea of inferiority to europeans? Its not only a "black" thing! All races who have a varying skin tones seem to prefer lighter to darker skin. It happens from mexicans, asians, to arabs. The more white you look, the better. The ideas dispersed in society via media are controlled by the wealthy, who undoubtedly are white. According to the documentary, which I agree with there is a certain negative connotation presented in the media when it pertains to blacks, where its the entertainment aspect or daily news. Not as bad as before. When you are constantly bombarded with images and you are unconscious, not knowing that you are a spirit in a body and not your body, you make choices that reflect that. However, as a previous poster mentioned, at the end of the day what difference does it make. That person is still God spirit inhabiting a human body. No matter their, my, or your perspective on them.
Black is beautiful
kissy black is dead ..look around 90 percent of is brown 30 years from now it will be tan ….if you want to see brown around stop inbreeding with white folks ….if you do mix with white ….you are not concerned end of story …ni@#ers kill me claim to love black and are brown skin folks dating white folks get a cluee
As long as white mimic us it will never go out of style……lol….
nicki the best
Black and sexy never goes out of style…
Ken Ro go read a book or 10.
“they stole it but you must return it” great book read then get back to me
Black Will NEVER Be Dead… It Is For Those Who Are Afraid Of Our Darker Hues. I Appreciate All Sistas From Halle Berry To Phyllis Yvonne Stickney Skin Tones.
is a japanese man african cause he is tan skin
come on educated people stop being suckers to pc
Lol it look like our beautiful black color is going out of style for true, because nowadays so many people are bleaching their skin. And i so hate to see some of them who bleach they look like dragons.
@Ken Ro ~ Do You Mean Indian Man…
Ken ro no he’s not. Lol. So people who bleach they are so stupid because they won’t change to be like the persons who they want to look like, all they are doing is damaging their bodies
self hate is the mental curse of ni@Eers ….they hate themselves
@Shevi Love Purple ~ That’s A Major Problem In Kingston, JA ~ SAD
Without black how could you read my response? What about the many contributions and accomplishments…..Black is amazing and goes with anything. That’s why we adapt so well. I love my people even though we display unity as we should…..black is amazing.
@Prima Donna yes bt nt only kingston all ova JA dung 2 all di bby a bleach (nt literally) bt its a mental problem i guess bcuz brown ppl dweet 2
Don’t display unity as we shOuld…..*
Black is never going away. Even every black are 100 times better than the white people round where i am.
Black is beautiful
Only to the superfical black folks.
My Black Is Beautiful…
Go to any ghetto or jail….and then ask about yourself about pride….i am just sayin…
Not with the men, i love a natural hair style…i think women are chasing the anglo look, men like whatever…just my opinion
I agree with Keno, but define what is looking black I think I look black and love it.
Tmrw is EMANCIPATION DAY here in JAMAICA which is for our black ppl bt abt amma say 45percent of the population bleach their skin nd thats bad…. We mostly have purple dragon walking the streets… The great BOB MARLEY sing “EMANCIPATE UR SELF FR MENTAL SLAVERY” bt we as black ppl try so hard to fit/adopt white ppl principle nd 4get where we coming from(slavery nd al that)
LOOKING SMART..IS THE WAY….
i agree wit DE MOBIEGIE Gofaone MoeSi..
best is being your self,we all can surely enhance beauty,i feel eye make up/contact lense at times why not.but not always.and surely i do not at all believe in lightning/bleach skin come on,but some do.to even the tone out.i get it but why go LIGHTER?do it dark brown nice shade then.if not then your tryin to be white, i think . and i am black gorgeous mom and a italian/100 percent italian father NYC,represent.lol and NJ. but i do not at all. think fox is pretty foxy brown or anything or NIKKI,i think that nikki minaj BUTT is fake,i do not think it is all hers,but she DID IT,for her own SELF LOW lowwww self esteem,SMART IS IN,AND IS JUST SO BEATUIFUL TO SEE A SMART INDEPENDENT gorgeous inside and out lady not some 1 who THINK being fake from head to toe,etc. is hot it is not.
all wear hair styles hair cut,braid afro to weave extension all racial since beginning of time so this really DONT mean we being white,that is just stupid. same as when a guy buy a car,to what?enhance who he is or ho w he wanna b portray/loook in his ride, i do agree smart is sexy very for a guy too! and should be by now less FOCUS on looks,life too short.
and i feel also the guy from XL SHA MONEY SOUND LIKE A DAMN FOOL.
I WILL TELL HIM IF I EVA SEE HIM AROUND MY CITY.WHAT A DUMMY.
He, is a idiot. saying u r goin 2 hav 2 hav butt big SLoppy nasty sure i do not THINK SO,that is a PIG butt i call it not sexy at all to me,and many,who DO looK YES I DO LOOK BETTER THAN NIKKI MINAJ,and id o nto have to have a oversize bought or airbrush photoshop butt to prove it. TALENT is not in the ass but in the LYRICS,and sadly NIKKI minaj fail there 100 percent.
real woman are smart……and beautiful INSIDE more than out.that is not NIKKI MINAJ and i can’t wait till her time is over cause she surely is not a rapper.
but a big joke.
and not pretty at all. or gorgeous.
LOOKING SMART..IS THE WAY….
i agree wit DE MOBIEGIE Gofaone MoeSi..
best is being your self,we all can surely enhance beauty,i feel eye make up/contact lense at times why not.but not always.and surely i do not at all believe in lightning/bleach skin come on,but some do.to even the tone out.i get it but why go LIGHTER?do it dark brown nice shade then.if not then your tryin to be white, i think . and i am black gorgeous mom and a italian/100 percent italian father NYC,represent.lol and NJ. but i do not at all. think fox is pretty foxy brown or anything or NIKKI,i think that nikki minaj BUTT is fake,i do not think it is all hers,but she DID IT,for her own SELF LOW lowwww self esteem,SMART IS IN,AND IS JUST SO BEATUIFUL TO SEE A SMART INDEPENDENT gorgeous inside and out lady not some 1 who THINK being fake from head to toe,etc. is hot it is not.
all wear hair styles hair cut,braid afro to weave extension all racial since beginning of time so this really DONT mean we being white,that is just stupid. same as when a guy buy a car,to what?enhance who he is or ho w he wanna b portray/loook in his ride, i do agree smart is sexy very for a guy too! and should be by now less FOCUS on looks,life too short.
and i feel also the guy from XL SHA MONEY SOUND LIKE A DAMN FOOL.
I WILL TELL HIM IF I EVA SEE HIM AROUND MY CITY.WHAT A DUMMY.
He, is a idiot. saying u r goin 2 hav 2 hav butt big SLoppy nasty sure i do not THINK SO,that is a PIG butt i call it not sexy at all to me,and many,who DO looK YES I DO LOOK BETTER THAN NIKKI MINAJ,and id o nto have to have a oversize bought or airbrush photoshop butt to prove it. TALENT is not in the ass but in the LYRICS,and sadly NIKKI minaj fail there 100 percent.
real woman are smart……and beautiful INSIDE more than out.that is not NIKKI MINAJ and i can’t wait till her time is over cause she surely is not a rapper.
but a big joke.
and not pretty at all. or gorgeous.
I’m not sure how to react to this article. Yes, there are times in the pop culture where changing ones physical appearance has been encourage to look more appeasing to the masses. One wrong I don’t support, but the comments about changing voices and non-physical attributes may be statements that are unfair. Niki may have always sounded that way. She could have been molested and kept the child like voice when speaking as mental protection. It happens.
Foxy Brown is a beautiful mix of cultures, black, filipino, whose to say if those aren’t really her eyes. Further more, there’s a whole island a descendants of slaves with blue eyes and long hair and dark skin. Many people in Belize are born that way and when I see them, I don’t think “they are trying to be white”.
I like 80′ pop, I speak proper, and I don’t eat a lot of fried foods. I stick to a vegetarian diet for the most part. This in no way makes me white, acting white, or trying to be white. I am who I am. Now if I lighten my skin, when for the longest blond hair possible, you and I may wonder.
But what if, what if its just achieving what the standard of beauty is? You know that middle ground where whites tan their skin and straighten their hair with flat irons, put in extensions, make it shin with hair product, put in breast and butt implants. Blacks lighten their skin, put in extensions and straighten their hair to stick straight lengths, make their waste smaller, or add in implants to make other parts bigger. Hmmm, sounds like both sides are trying to look the same to me, like a Latina. Just a thought I have always had.
Because when foxy brown came out her eyes were a lovely shade of regular brown nice eyes.good post though Mal.
You honestly believe that Black women are getting butt implants to look like Latinas? You are a)in serious denial or b) ignorant of the history of Latino people. You did not say whether or not you are Latino.White women and Brazilian women are the ones getting the butt implants, so don’t get it twisted.
The ONLY reason that SOME Latinas have naturally big butts is because of their Black African ancestry,that you are either unaware of or completely deny.Most Latinas who have natural big butts correctly attribute it to their Black African ancestry.You, however,have been lying to yourself for so long that you believe your lie. SOME Latinas have NO BUTT AT ALL,just like some Black women.Also, Latinas come in ALL colors. Some have kinky, afro-textured hair, like me. Get your information straight before you expose your ignorance and confirm your stupidity, as you’ve done with your post.PEACE OUT!!!
My first post from March 14,2012 at 10:01 am is a response to the post from Malkia Laini Dinwiddie’s post from September 25,2100 at 1:15 pm.This chick is CLUELESS!!! The next thing you know, she’ll be claiming that non-Black Latinas age better than Black Latinas and Black women in general.LOL!!!!!
I’m not sure how to react to this article. Yes, there are times in the pop culture where changing ones physical appearance has been encourage to look more appeasing to the masses. One wrong I don’t support, but the comments about changing voices and non-physical attributes may be statements that are unfair. Niki may have always sounded that way. She could have been molested and kept the child like voice when speaking as mental protection. It happens.
Foxy Brown is a beautiful mix of cultures, black, filipino, whose to say if those aren’t really her eyes. Further more, there’s a whole island a descendants of slaves with blue eyes and long hair and dark skin. Many people in Belize are born that way and when I see them, I don’t think “they are trying to be white”.
I like 80′ pop, I speak proper, and I don’t eat a lot of fried foods. I stick to a vegetarian diet for the most part. This in no way makes me white, acting white, or trying to be white. I am who I am. Now if I lighten my skin, when for the longest blond hair possible, you and I may wonder.
But what if, what if its just achieving what the standard of beauty is? You know that middle ground where whites tan their skin and straighten their hair with flat irons, put in extensions, make it shin with hair product, put in breast and butt implants. Blacks lighten their skin, put in extensions and straighten their hair to stick straight lengths, make their waste smaller, or add in implants to make other parts bigger. Hmmm, sounds like both sides are trying to look the same to me, like a Latina. Just a thought I have always had.
Because when foxy brown came out her eyes were a lovely shade of regular brown nice eyes.good post though Mal.
And which type of Latina would that be? The Jennifer Lopezes? The Zoe Saldanas or the Celia Cruzes?
GEENA ROMANO BEST POST HERE THANK YOU FOR SAYING ALL OF THAT I CO-SIGN.
FULLY………………..GREAT GREAT POST. I WEAR NATURAL HAIR TOO AND HUMAN WIG, TO HAIR EXTENSIONS, BUT YET HDO IT MEAN I AM BLACK OR WHITE OR DO NOT KNOW, COME ON NOW.GET A LIFE. BOTTOM LINE AS GEENA ROMANO SAY TALENT ALSO IS IN THE LYRICS NOT ONE’S ASS, OR A GUY SEXY ABS NIKKI IS A FAILURE WITH A CAPITAL F, PERIOD. NO REAL WOMAN OR REAL MAN FOLLOW HER NOR LISTEN TO HER CRAP.. BE WHO YOU ARE.AND IF YOUR WANTING NICE HAIR DO, GET IT>? BUT THE WHOLE EXTRA BUTT, TO TITS THAT IS SAD, AND PATHETIC, NOT ‘ABOUT BEING WHITE ETC. OR”SEXY”JUST PATHETIC.LIPO TO TAKE FAT “OUT THE BODY TO BE MORE HEALTHY LOOKIN”FEEL BETTER SURE, BUT TO GET ALL THE FAKE TITS, TO ASS IS REALLY SAD, IMO? HAS NOTHING TO DO WIT WANT TO BE WHITE.
just pathetic all races and sad for THEM.
GEENA ROMANO BEST POST HERE THANK YOU FOR SAYING ALL OF THAT I CO-SIGN.
FULLY………………..GREAT GREAT POST. I WEAR NATURAL HAIR TOO AND HUMAN WIG, TO HAIR EXTENSIONS, BUT YET HDO IT MEAN I AM BLACK OR WHITE OR DO NOT KNOW, COME ON NOW.GET A LIFE. BOTTOM LINE AS GEENA ROMANO SAY TALENT ALSO IS IN THE LYRICS NOT ONE’S ASS, OR A GUY SEXY ABS NIKKI IS A FAILURE WITH A CAPITAL F, PERIOD. NO REAL WOMAN OR REAL MAN FOLLOW HER NOR LISTEN TO HER CRAP.. BE WHO YOU ARE.AND IF YOUR WANTING NICE HAIR DO, GET IT>? BUT THE WHOLE EXTRA BUTT, TO TITS THAT IS SAD, AND PATHETIC, NOT ‘ABOUT BEING WHITE ETC. OR”SEXY”JUST PATHETIC.LIPO TO TAKE FAT “OUT THE BODY TO BE MORE HEALTHY LOOKIN”FEEL BETTER SURE, BUT TO GET ALL THE FAKE TITS, TO ASS IS REALLY SAD, IMO? HAS NOTHING TO DO WIT WANT TO BE WHITE.
just pathetic all races and sad for THEM.
Hell NO… And, Those Who Are Trying To Go Lighter Don’t Know Their History. I’ve Been In The Sun All Morning & I’m Proud To Say I’m Looking Like Tar Baby NOW.
Black is back , all in we gonna win , check it out here we go again !!!!
What! Only for the small minded people!
Black is black. Who cares! Idk why people worry about such things.
It’s the illuminate
Most things in this world are based off of our “blackness” that will never go out of style.
Colorism is a product of a sucessfully brainwashed and colonized mind. Self hate is a hell of a drug.
Amen!
Hollywood makes it look that way
Attention and hidden issues
With that straight hair U aint black; your hair is SUPER relaxed..11-29-11
Dark people wanna be lighter. Light people wanna be darker :/
It’s the weave that’s done it, Kissy. I’m so tired of looking at black women so invested in weaves.
black men are just more attractive to hispanic/white women. nappy is out, long hairs are in.
And what type of Hispanic women would that be? would that be ALL Hispanics (the Celiz Cruzes) or would that just be those that look like J. Lo? hay Latinas negras todos no son rubios. Have pride in your own culture and know before you speak.
Black women are outta style…….Butta Pican Ricans is what its about..long black naturaly silky hair, and light (slightly) taned skin….and snow bunnies tired of yall nappy headed neck swinging finger snappin nappy headed no education havin weave wearin fake coach bag sportin hoodrat chicken head hoes!!!
YOU HAVE GOT TO BE THE MOST IGNORANT PERSON ON EARTH! PICK UP YOUR EGO THAT OBVIOUSLY A STRONG BLACK WOMAN SPLATTERED ON THE FLOOR AND TAKE A HIKE.
You must be talking about your fat ugly crack head mother. She is a bald head hoe. You’re nothing but an ugly Negroe Koon.
Jay–You need to sit your fat azz down and shut up. Nikki, Lil Kim and MJ all look great. They have all made more money than a ghetto Koon like you will ever make. You are just another jealous azz hating Negroe Koon. And you need to take off those cheap azz looking sun glasses. You fat fool.