Why is there an issue between black women and light-skinned black women in the media?

why is there some resentment from some black women and others about light-skinned black women in the entertainment industry? I was discussing some entertainers and what not i.e. Alicia Keys, and one of my black friends wasn't into her because she thought she was "just another light-skinned black girl". Why does this mentality exist?

Why is there an issue between black women and light-skinned black women in the media?
This always makes me so sad. I come from a place too where a woman's attractiveness can, literally, be measured by her skin color in proportion to the color of a paper bag, or the width of her nose. One would think that it's an outdated discussion. But I can assure people it's alive and well...the subtle message of the promotion of the Beyonces and Halle Berrys of the world can very well be "Light is right" for the girls with dark skin, nappy hair and wide noses who you don't see reflected in magazines or movie casting. The internalized self-hatred exists, and it's awful.





Personally, I think it exists because the power centre of the beauty industry is based in the West, and the majority of stakeholders in that industry are Caucasian. Thus the beauty standard reflects its creators, and the American beauty standard does not approve of women who look too African. And black women get the message: the lighter-skinned the better. This is not a new belief but the media manifestation of it is symptomatic.





For instance, what model usually illustrates the "makeup look of the month" in magazines? It's almost never a dark-skinned woman with short hair; it's usually a pale beauty with red or blonde hair. I've heard the response that makeup shows up better on lighter people in photos; then again, why is that? Makeup can be made to contrast better on dark skin...but cosmetics like that are considered niche brands.





And you will never see a runway full of darker-skinned women unless it's for an "urban" brand."





This is where we delve into what I see as the core of feminism: the cessation of self-hatred for not being up to the standard of an anonymous male (or an industry that's trying to make you into their middle-aged boss's fantasy) and the embracing of yourself. Unfortunately, that struggle isn't limited to black women; any woman who wakes up disgusted with herself because she's not thin enough at 5'2 and 105lbs, or tall enough, tan enough, etc. is dealing with the effects of internalizing that criticism.





So this is in no way, shape or form supposed to be construed as a bashing of Caucasian women. All women are beautiful in their own special ways. And white women are NOT in a conspiracy to marginalize women of color. But the pattern still exists in pop culture, albeit in slightly smaller proportions than it did 20 years ago. And I think we have to look at media providers and casting directors when wondering why.
Reply:May be she is the only one with this kind of problem, I never heard of such a thing before.
Reply:That's so stupid it's almost funny. I thought bickering over black and white was silly, but now they're actually making sub-categories per 'color'. I think some people really are just too stupid to think up any better criticism and blame skin color, or in this case, the tone of a certain skin color. I have actually heard of this before.
Reply:There is none that I can see. That exists in the minds of certain people, I think.
Reply:this happens a lot in latino circles as well. personally, i think it is silly because beauty is beauty and it is all about preferences. they are probably just irritated because it is usually the lighter ones who get hooked up more easily when it comes to careers and men. lot of black girls like the lighter finer featured black men too so you would think they would understand.
Reply:I think because some people need to be able to define a standard to feel important because they are too insecure with their own individuality. That way they can judge people based on that weither it be race, fashion, behavior, status or whatever. Then they can dillude themselves into thinking that as long as they meet the standards in their mind they are 'safe' or worthy enough of importance because they are too insecure to stand on their own and respect other people's individuality.





Given your example seems to fall into the racist category. Saying someone is too white to be worthy of listening to is like saying back in the day that someone is too black to own land, or go to school. Same prejudice, different context.
Reply:Because dark-skinned black women are not very successful in the entertainment industry these days. They are not seeked out for modeling or acting as much as the lighter ones who look more generic.
Reply:I have never heard anything like that in all of the days I have been a black girl. That's isolated ignorance.
Reply:I agree with DD.
Reply:its called colorism and it goes all the way back to the days of slavery


where light skinned blacks were treated better and picked to work inside


For some reason people think that the "whitter" the better


I mean the closest you can get to looking white or mixed.


example- light skin, narrow nose, long curly/straight soft hair, light eyes ect..


So the blacks who have those features are generally treated better by ppl of other races and even by other blacks


they get better jobs and get more attention in the media


what I've noticed is that as a backlash, people of darker skin who are pissed off about this start to group every light skinned person as being just a trend and arrogant


So you're friend might just be pissed off and think that Alicia keys gets all this praise b/c he's light


like if she was darker or wasn't mixed with still the same voice would she be getting as much praise in the media?


honestly I don't really think so