Detroit DJ retreats from event for light-skinded black women

http://www.freep.com/apps...1/SPORTS03

DETROIT — A disc jockey has canceled his plan to allow light-skinned black women into a downtown club without a cover charge after angering civil rights activists and Internet bloggers who had heard about the promotion.

Ulysses (DJ Lish) Barnes, 27, said today he had received telephone calls and e-mails from people threatening protests and lawsuits.

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“I apologize to whoever I offended,” said Barnes, who described himself as a dark-skinned black man. “I made a mistake. I’m not perfect.”

The “Light Skin Libra Birthday Bash” planned for tonight was a three-faceted event in which light-skinned black women, all Libras and people attending a club guest’s birthday party were to have been admitted for free, he said.

Two upcoming Friday-night promotions that would have given “sexy chocolate” and “sexy caramel” women free admission to the club based on their skin color also were canceled, Barnes said.

“It was a bad idea. I admit that I was wrong,” he told the Associated Press.

Club APT on Woodward regularly attracts hundreds of men and women of all colors, he said.

Barnes said he began promoting the “Light Skin Libra Birthday Bash” about three weeks ago but started hearing from angry people after a copy of a promotional flier was published on the Web site MediaTakeOut.com.

Additional complaints from black activist and author Pearl Jr. and by representatives of the Rev. Jesse Jackson led Barnes to decide to cancel the promotion.

“Some people are telling me negative promotion is good promotion,” he said. “I don’t want to be in this position.”
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it's 2007, for crying out loud. do we still have to deal with light skinned vs. dark skinned? dayum!

Here's the poster!

[Edited 10/12/07 21:21pm]

I just want to know what the hell he was doing at least up to 30 minutes before he got it into his head that this was a good idea?

hmmm.

I wonder if Coppertone ever gets shit from light skin white folks when they do those tacky tan contests during Spring Break.


Its weird to see light skin so praised among brown, black, and yellow. In Thailand, Thai's practically bleach themselves into a zombiefide color to look pale.

All this sends a bad message---I'm not sure I've pinpointed what that message actually is but I don't like it.

sassybritches said:

Rhondab said:

sassybritches said:

it's 2007, for crying out loud. do we still have to deal with light skinned vs. dark skinned? dayum!

sooooo how often do you deal with this issue?



This crap is still alive and well.


us dark sistas have it hard

Rhondab said:

sassybritches said:

it's 2007, for crying out loud. do we still have to deal with light skinned vs. dark skinned? dayum!

sooooo how often do you deal with this issue?



This crap is still alive and well.


us dark sistas have it hard

Unreal

Imago said:

Rhondab said:

sooooo how often do you deal with this issue?



This crap is still alive and well.


us dark sistas have it hard

yup.

I was in Haiti back in 95 for a few months, and even in a black country such as Haiti, social satus was placed on what they called "Malato (sp?)" blacks. Those with lighter complexions were revered.

It was disturbing. All their magazines, their advertisements, etc. showed people who were considerably lighter than 90% of the population (only 10% are considered to be "malato").

To add insult to injury, even though Haiti was the first (maybe only :confuse ?) slave nation to gain it's independence from a Colonial power, the Euro-centric paradigm that all things Euro are better still exists there to some extent. You can only hold public office if you speak French--not Creole. And again, 90% of the population only speaks Creole.

I'm basing everything I say on the year 1995 but from what I've seen in the news, I doubt its changed much.

Imago said:

Rhondab said:

sooooo how often do you deal with this issue?



This crap is still alive and well.


us dark sistas have it hard

yup.

I was in Haiti back in 95 for a few months, and even in a black country such as Haiti, social satus was placed on what they called "Malato (sp?)" blacks. Those with lighter complexions were revered.

It was disturbing. All their magazines, their advertisements, etc. showed people who were considerably lighter than 90% of the population (only 10% are considered to be "malato").

To add insult to injury, even though Haiti was the first (maybe only :confuse ?) slave nation to gain it's independence from a Colonial power, the Euro-centric paradigm that all things Euro are better still exists there to some extent. You can only hold public office if you speak French--not Creole. And again, 90% of the population only speaks Creole.

I'm basing everything I say on the year 1995 but from what I've seen in the news, I doubt its changed much.

Martina, now orgs official resident fairy/pixie
Your name...it means Warrior. So, you are the "warrior fairy!"

She's "light skinned"?...Oh.

Anyways, what I meant to say is...

Rhondab said:

"...lay out my cushion of silk, don't rumple my fur!"

P.s. ~ I'm not talking at you Rhonda. I'm just saying.

"...lay out my cushion of silk, don't rumple my fur!"

SHANNA said:

She's "light skinned"?...Oh.

Anyways, what I meant to say is...

Rhondab said:

us dark sistas have it hard

And, I don't understand that. If the woman in the poster was dark chocolate or if she were vanilla - she would still look the same to me!

How does a darker or lighter skin tone make one more or less attractive I don't get it.

I don't get it. I don't get it. I don't get it.

Imago said:

SHANNA said:

She's "light skinned"?...Oh.

Anyways, what I meant to say is...



And, I don't understand that. If the woman in the poster was dark chocolate or if she were vanilla - she would still look the same to me!

How does a darker or lighter skin tone make one more or less attractive I don't get it.

I don't get it. I don't get it. I don't get it.

It's a common occurance in alot of places on earth.
I can onl speak for the ones I've visited but they all prefer light skin. Dark skin is almost a curse.
Only Europeans or "whites" prefer tan skin, and even then the general population there is basing it their preferences for other whites--not other races.

I think much of it does date back to colonial times, but in the case of Japan, Thailand, and some other countries, a tan used to be an indication of "blue collar" status, and I think those values translated to what is viewed as desirable. But then again, it's worse than that in Thailand as Europeans and Amercans are more valued than Thais, and even among Europeans, there's a hierarchal breakout of what's more desirable.

I doubt we'll see these attitudes change to much in our lifetimes.

Martina, now orgs official resident fairy/pixie
Your name...it means Warrior. So, you are the "warrior fairy!"

Serious said:

Imago said:

It's a common occurance in alot of places on earth.
I can onl speak for the ones I've visited but they all prefer light skin. Dark skin is almost a curse.
Only Europeans or "whites" prefer tan skin, and even then the general population there is basing it their preferences for other whites--not other races.

I think much of it does date back to colonial times, but in the case of Japan, Thailand, and some other countries, a tan used to be an indication of "blue collar" status, and I think those values translated to what is viewed as desirable. But then again, it's worse than that in Thailand as Europeans and Amercans are more valued than Thais, and even among Europeans, there's a hierarchal breakout of what's more desirable.

I doubt we'll see these attitudes change to much in our lifetimes.

Here in Europe it used to be the same about the "blue collar" status back in the day. Whites wanted to be as pale as possible as it was an indicator they were high class and didn't have to work outside. That changed and a tan was considered beautiful as it implied that you have a lot of sparetime and to travel. Now with the increase of cancer due to sunlight very slowly whites don't tan as much as they used to, but still a nice tan is considered beautiful and being pale not.

Imago said:

Serious said:

Here in Europe it used to be the same about the "blue collar" status back in the day. Whites wanted to be as pale as possible as it was an indicator they were high class and didn't have to work outside. That changed and a tan was considered beautiful as it implied that you have a lot of sparetime and to travel. Now with the increase of cancer due to sunlight very slowly whites don't tan as much as they used to, but still a nice tan is considered beautiful and being pale not.

I tan easily you know.



Just sayin

Martina, now orgs official resident fairy/pixie
Your name...it means Warrior. So, you are the "warrior fairy!"

Imago said:

SHANNA said:

She's "light skinned"?...Oh.

Anyways, what I meant to say is...



And, I don't understand that. If the woman in the poster was dark chocolate or if she were vanilla - she would still look the same to me!

How does a darker or lighter skin tone make one more or less attractive I don't get it.

I don't get it. I don't get it. I don't get it.

It's a common occurance in alot of places on earth.
I can onl speak for the ones I've visited but they all prefer light skin. Dark skin is almost a curse.
Only Europeans or "whites" prefer tan skin, and even then the general population there is basing it their preferences for other whites--not other races.

I think much of it does date back to colonial times, but in the case of Japan, Thailand, and some other countries, a tan used to be an indication of "blue collar" status, and I think those values translated to what is viewed as desirable. But then again, it's worse than that in Thailand as Europeans and Amercans are more valued than Thais, and even among Europeans, there's a hierarchal breakout of what's more desirable.

I doubt we'll see these attitudes change to much in our lifetimes.

"...lay out my cushion of silk, don't rumple my fur!"

Serious said:

Imago said:

It's a common occurance in alot of places on earth.
I can onl speak for the ones I've visited but they all prefer light skin. Dark skin is almost a curse.
Only Europeans or "whites" prefer tan skin, and even then the general population there is basing it their preferences for other whites--not other races.

I think much of it does date back to colonial times, but in the case of Japan, Thailand, and some other countries, a tan used to be an indication of "blue collar" status, and I think those values translated to what is viewed as desirable. But then again, it's worse than that in Thailand as Europeans and Amercans are more valued than Thais, and even among Europeans, there's a hierarchal breakout of what's more desirable.

I doubt we'll see these attitudes change to much in our lifetimes.

Here in Europe it used to be the same about the "blue collar" status back in the day. Whites wanted to be as pale as possible as it was an indicator they were high class and didn't have to work outside. That changed and a tan was considered beautiful as it implied that you have a lot of sparetime and to travel. Now with the increase of cancer due to sunlight very slowly whites don't tan as much as they used to, but still a nice tan is considered beautiful and being pale not.

"...lay out my cushion of silk, don't rumple my fur!"

lilgish said:

Imago said:

Rhondab said:

sooooo how often do you deal with this issue?



This crap is still alive and well.


us dark sistas have it hard

yup.

I was in Haiti back in 95 for a few months, and even in a black country such as Haiti, social satus was placed on what they called "Malato (sp?)" blacks. Those with lighter complexions were revered.

It was disturbing. All their magazines, their advertisements, etc. showed people who were considerably lighter than 90% of the population (only 10% are considered to be "malato").

To add insult to injury, even though Haiti was the first (maybe only :confuse ?) slave nation to gain it's independence from a Colonial power, the Euro-centric paradigm that all things Euro are better still exists there to some extent. You can only hold public office if you speak French--not Creole. And again, 90% of the population only speaks Creole.I'm basing everything I say on the year 1995 but from what I've seen in the news, I doubt its changed much.

SHANNA said:

Serious said:

Here in Europe it used to be the same about the "blue collar" status back in the day. Whites wanted to be as pale as possible as it was an indicator they were high class and didn't have to work outside. That changed and a tan was considered beautiful as it implied that you have a lot of sparetime and to travel. Now with the increase of cancer due to sunlight very slowly whites don't tan as much as they used to, but still a nice tan is considered beautiful and being pale not.

Hi, Serious.

Martina, now orgs official resident fairy/pixie
Your name...it means Warrior. So, you are the "warrior fairy!"

Imago said:

Uh-oh - I'm about to cut the guy some slack - Because he did have planned corresponding nights such "Sexy Chocolate" for Dark-skinned sistas and "Sexy Caramel" for Brown-skinned sistas so it wasn't JUST one skin tone he was hyping-up. I think where he went wrong was by having the Light-skinned sistas FIRST because it makes it seem like they're put on the highest pedestal over the other complexions.

Now, had he gone with Dark-skinned sistas FIRST, I don't think this gets the heat it got simply because the uproar has always been "Light(White) is right".

But this colorism within the black community will always be a hot button, mainly because the videos and black celebs usually feature and date light-complected sistas.

MuthaFunka said:

Uh-oh - I'm about to cut the guy some slack - Because he did have planned corresponding nights such "Sexy Chocolate" for Dark-skinned sistas and "Sexy Caramel" for Brown-skinned sistas so it wasn't JUST one skin tone he was hyping-up. I think where he went wrong was by having the Light-skinned sistas FIRST because it makes it seem like they're put on the highest pedestal over the other complexions.

Now, had he gone with Dark-skinned sistas FIRST, I don't think this gets the heat it got simply because the uproar has always been "Light(White) is right".

But this colorism within the black community will always be a hot button, mainly because the videos and black celebs usually feature and date light-complected sistas.

2elijah said:

MuthaFunka said:

Uh-oh - I'm about to cut the guy some slack - Because he did have planned corresponding nights such "Sexy Chocolate" for Dark-skinned sistas and "Sexy Caramel" for Brown-skinned sistas so it wasn't JUST one skin tone he was hyping-up. I think where he went wrong was by having the Light-skinned sistas FIRST because it makes it seem like they're put on the highest pedestal over the other complexions.

Now, had he gone with Dark-skinned sistas FIRST, I don't think this gets the heat it got simply because the uproar has always been "Light(White) is right".

But this colorism within the black community will always be a hot button, mainly because the videos and black celebs usually feature and date light-complected sistas.

But you know what...that causes too much division and he shouldn't have done that in the first place, it just makes things much more difficult within our communities. He should know as a Black Man, that Black families come in various complexions. You could have one or two very light siblings and one or two darker ones. Things like this divides families and causes major issues.

It's not only African-Americans this kind of thing happens to, it also happens with East Indians, Asians, Latins, just to name a few. It's so ridiculous.

MuthaFunka said:

MuthaFunka said: