March 20, 2014
Academy Award-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o discusses colorism at the Black Women in Hollywood Luncheon
By Zakeia Tyson-Cross
In the era of Michelle Obama, first lady of the United States, some black women see themselves as beautiful, strong, and intelligent. They are also combating racial stereotypes that are perpetuated within their communities and are now coming into their own. They are now seen as industry leaders within science, business, education, social justice, entertainment, and more. However, many of them have not been able to see their own beauty past the color of their skin. What does beauty mean in the black community and how does colorism affect our livelihood?
Lupita Nyong’o, Academy Award-winning actress, gave a speech at the Black Women in Hollywood luncheon on colorism and her personal journey in dealing with self-hate. She spoke softly and empathetically about her past and how she prayed for lighter skin for self-acceptance, until she stumbled upon the images and media talks around Sudanese supermodel Alek Wek, who was veiled and praised as breathtakingly gorgeous. These images helped change Lupita’s mind about beauty and how she saw herself. Lupita quoted her mother as saying “you can’t eat beauty, it doesn’t feed you,” and Lupita said it was something she had to become and not acquire. Black women of all shade complexions have dealt with the grueling and numbing issue of color inadequacy and body imagery compared to their white counterparts. Women, specifically black women, have spent billions of dollars on beauty products to enhance or change their image. Whether it’s through surgeries or over-the-counter cosmetics, black women want to look and feel beautiful, even if it means buying it in a jar for $29.99. Now, I’m not saying that lip gloss and eyeliners are pre-markers for self-hate, but skin bleaching products and the like can be seen as an abysmal and a despairing act.
Colorism began around the time of slavery, where darker-skinned and lighter-skinned blacks where delimited in their work, based on the color of their skin as evaluated by their slave master. It brought division within the race, identity crises and self-hate that has been passed on from generation to generation and persists today. And it is still a contentious topic and rarely talked about among African Americans. However, there are notable writers such as renowned and lauded author Zora Neale Hurston who wrote a play called “Color Struck”, in which the narrative took place in the early 1900s around a character named Emma, a black woman who was afraid that her love interest John would leave her for a lighter-skinned black woman. The play peeled back and exposed the many layers of how black women have internalized feelings of inferiority deep within themselves. The play successfully shows how black women can suffer from self-esteem issues based on how they and others may perceive their beauty. Unfortunately, this revelation is still pertinent as it relates to our current societal norms on how black women perceive and identify with beauty and the lack of it within them
“As a mother to a young black girl,” Zakeia Tyson-Cross (above) says, “I am dedicated to my daughter’s positive development and self –reassurance. I tell her every day how beautiful and intelligent she is and not to let anyone convince her otherwise.“
I personally can relate to colorism and how it affects family’s generational mentality and behavior. The results can be catastrophic if the cycle is not broken and re-altered to a positive life sequence that can be beneficial for generations to come. In 2001, I spent my winter college break at home in Harlem with my grandmother. While flipping through a Spiegel’s catalog on a Sunday afternoon I came across a gorgeous black pea coat. I thought it would be a nice addition to my very fun yet conservative collegiate wear. My grandmother was also in agreement, except for the color; she thought I would look best in a bright red. I disagreed and strongly insisted on the color black. She looked at me and said “no one will be able to see you at night if you wear a black pea coat”.
I gasped as I was floored at my grandmother’s comment on how she perceived her “dark skinned” grandchild and the possibility of me wearing black against my dark skin. I softly but firmly conveyed my confidence in reminding her that I am dark and extremely beautiful in whatever color I decide to wear. My grandmother smiled in agreement and said “yes, you are beautiful. Sometimes my age and the memory of my ghastly southern past uproots the worst of me.” I was shocked by my grandmother’s comment; however, it didn’t make me feel insecure or inadequate. I felt empowered to share my feelings by conveying to her that I am confident and no one, not even you will change how I perceive myself. As a mother to a young black girl, I am dedicated to my daughter’s positive development and self –reassurance. I tell her every day how beautiful and intelligent she is and not to let anyone convince her otherwise.
Today, black women are bombarded with overzealous advertisement campaigns on beauty products and false images of Photoshop pictures of women who do not naturally carry the beauty that is being displayed in print ads, billboards and TV. In order to break the hurtful cycle of colorism among black women, I think it’s important to teach and encourage the acceptance of inner and outer beauty. This can be accomplished by supporting and advocating for social change within our communities while actively engaging in movements and organizations that support the greater good and healthy consciousness of black women. One organization in particular that I’ve had the honor of working with is called The Black Girl Project (BGP), which was founded by Aiesha Turman. BGP is addressing the implications of colorism through active peer engagement and facilitated workshops. Aiesha was quoted in a short interview on colorism as stating,
“I hope the conversation of colorism amongst black women is continued and that we not only recognize the devastation of what self-imposed inadequacies can have on one’s self, but that we eradicate it”.
Positive self-love and identity starts within your heart, and my hope is for all women to illuminate the beauty that’s innate within them.
Original site: Opportunity Agenda