scriptgirl said:

Bear with me, cause this is gonna be long. My mom is about Halle Berry's complexion, as is my dad. BUT my mother's biological maternal side (my mom is adopted), could have passed for white. Her father was brown skinned. My dad's maternal side was VERY light. My dad's grandmother "looked like a foreigner" as my grandma would say. She had a beige complexion, but with hair down to her butt-she could sit on it. For some reason, as a kid, I had trouble understanding she was related to me. I am MUCH lighter than my folks. I got the "light" gene. I am so fair that I have had relatives put me in the sun, so I could get darker.

My fair skinned grandma on my dad's side had to elope with my much darker grandpa because grandma's mom did not like my grandfather because he was so dark. When great grandma found out her daughter had married my grandpa, she threw a fit. For years, actually, I think their whole marriage, great grandma would walk out of a room if my grandpa entered it. Great Gran was so color struck that she locked my aunt, her grandchild out in the rain, because she was dark and didn't have good hair.

I have been teased all my life, called yellow girl, oreo, light skin, zebra, albino. A lot of black girls hated me on sight and once a class mate told me "I was too white to be black and too black to be white."

When I was in 8th grade, a girl teased me mercilessly about my skin color or lack thereof. The funny thing was, although she was not as light as me, she was still light.

My mom's mom, came from a mixed family. They were considered black, but to be honest, most likely had more Native American in them than black ancestry. My great aunt Elizabeth was brown skinned with "good" hair and all her life, people would tell her it was a shame "good hair" was wasted on someone so dark.

My grandma told me the story one time of how a teacher singled out my great aunt for detention constantly, just because she was the darkest girl in the class. And this shit happened about 80 years ago. Shameful

that is some messed up isht right there....

My mom's dad was born here in the US, but his mother was born in Jamaica, to a German father and English & black mother. She and his dad (also born in Jamaica, but white [Spaniard, Italian & English]) moved to the US in the early 1900s. She had straight hair (also to her arse) and could "pass," but anytime ppl assumed she was white or if someone put down black ppl in her presence, she would tell them that she was (even though on Ellis Island records that I found, she's listed as "West Indian" for her "race" -- which was a racial category back then, sort of like Creole; white european heritage, but mixed with something else from the Caribbean). She had a dark-skinned half sister [her father was black].. My mom said that when she came to visit, ppl thought they had gotten a maid and she was just "the help"

Her dad had a brother and sister that were fraternal twins born in NYC.... even with same Spanish last name, same white/white-looking parents, and the fact that they were twins - for the girl, my tia Gloria, on her birth certificate it says white, but on her twin brother's, who came out with a little bit o' color, the hospital put 'negro' on his birth certificate

I ended up with that 'sit on your hair' gene... when the mother of one of my grandmother's friends would come to town (she was black, lived somewhere in the south), she always had to see me--and my hair..... Every time..: "Myyyy goodness she got some 'good' hair! Turn around, baby, let me see how long it's gotten..." If my hair was in 2 braids or pigtails, it had to come out so she could play with it... when I was very little, I didn't get what the big deal was and just did as I was told, but by the time I hit 10 or so, it was getting weird and made me uncomfortable (but, as a kid, you had to respect your elders and do as they said, so.. I had no choice).

My dad's parents were both Eastern Band Cherokee, black and white... his mom never really knew her father (I don't know what he was), and she was adopted by her step dad who was very dark-skinned (black & some other Native heritage) when she was 5. Her mom & step-dad had 12 more kids (I know.. ouch, just the thought makes me wanna cross my legs but this was South Carolina in the 1920s and they had a farm; kids were basically free farmhands back then ). One of my great-aunts [one of my grandma's half sisters] told me a couple of yrs ago before she died that their maternal grandmother could "pass" [for white -- for anyone not familiar with that term] -- but even though she didn't try to, that she hated dark-skinned black people. The only grand-child she loved and acknowledged was my grandmother -- who was medium brown, but I guess not "too dark" -- like the other 12 kids. She said their grandmother would refer to them, if she had to, as "that John Ruben child" or "those John Ruben's children" never by their given names (Ruben was his middle name) 'cause they were so dark and she didn't want anyting to do with them.

I didn't really have too many ppl saying insulting isht to me about my looks 'til I hit my teens & twenties (there've been times that black kids/ppl called me "white girl" but I'm pretty sure that insult was/is a dig at my intelligence [is, present tense, b/c my aunt's bro-in-law still does that shit and he's known me for over 30 yrs, almost my whole life.. ])-- but when I was in third grade, this black girl I didn't even know told kids she was going to beat me up in the schoolyard during lunch recess.. I was in the "Gifted" class and lunch was the only time we spent with the "other" kids (which didn't help with other kids' perceptions of us).. I was also very shy, so I didn't really know anyone outside our group... Somehow one my friends heard out about it and told a teacher.. Turned out the girl wanted to beat me up simply b/c of the way I looked--I was lighter than her, had long "good" hair -- and it prob. didn't help that I was in the "smart" class

A couple of my oldest friends are biracial, both happen to have German mothers and black fathers.. I remember other kids, white and black, calling them stupid names like the ones you mention above..... Coming from such a mixed clan on both sides, my parents would always make sure we knew why we shouldn't use such words. but.. even with that instruction, I do remember my dad making a few remarks to me about our coloring (or lack thereof..). Like, for a couple of summers he said that we (there are 5 of us kids, I'm the oldest) had to play outside all day, every [sunny] day b/c we weren't dark enough. Before that, when my youngest brother was born, he said it was my mom's "fault" that he was so pale. My mom shot him the dirtiest look..

Dad was bi-polar.. I try to overlook some things....

[Edited 5/30/11 16:07pm]

formallypickles said:

armpit said:

I kinda feel similarly.

Yeah, I know this issue still exists in the Black community, but I'm sick of always hearing about it, to be perfectly frank.

armpit girl dont hide in a box

its ok to feel this way

People keep talking about it because it still exists. Talking about it amongst ourselves is the ONLY way we can fix it.

I'm not saying either of you are bad people for feeling this way, but just wishing it would go away or anything connected to it would go away, is not helpful and it's actually detrimental to the situation. The more you wish we'd stop talking about it, the worse it will get and you'll never get your wish. We must HEAL before we move on and discussion is the first line of defense.

TD3 said:

My only issue with the documentary... black men should have been apart of this discussion. Not only in terms of who how they view themselves, how they define beauty, and how society treats them as a whole. This IS NOT a black women issue this is an African American community issue. Colorism and being color struck is a major issue with many Black men... many lie about, wanna change the subject, play dumb and/or remain silent when this issue is brought up.

[Edited 5/27/11 7:38am]

there's one dude in the trailer/preview. Duke mentions another guy in the interview that I posted (also page 1)

maybe there will be others.. (def. a problem concerning both genders; not just us gals)

PurpleRighteous1 said:

formallypickles said:

armpit girl dont hide in a box

its ok to feel this way

People keep talking about it because it still exists. Talking about it amongst ourselves is the ONLY way we can fix it.

I'm not saying either of you are bad people for feeling this way, but just wishing it would go away or anything connected to it would go away, is not helpful and it's actually detrimental to the situation. The more you wish we'd stop talking about it, the worse it will get and you'll never get your wish. We must HEAL before we move on and discussion is the first line of defense.

You better tell the truth.

As long as people will reflect that in the black family / social relationship, this stereotype will continue...and just like the little girl who couldnt have been any more than 5 years old ALREADY learned that society tells her she is "ugly" we have to heal ourselves and re-teach one another.

PurpleRighteous1 said:

formallypickles said:

armpit girl dont hide in a box

its ok to feel this way

People keep talking about it because it still exists. Talking about it amongst ourselves is the ONLY way we can fix it.

I'm not saying either of you are bad people for feeling this way, but just wishing it would go away or anything connected to it would go away, is not helpful and it's actually detrimental to the situation. The more you wish we'd stop talking about it, the worse it will get and you'll never get your wish. We must HEAL before we move on and discussion is the first line of defense.

im not wishing it away

just saying their needs to be more postive ideals to balance it out

to many black people talk so much about whats wrong with them

shit lets talk about how cool and awesome we are for once

i dont think we could fully heal the community just talking about the black "problems"

[Edited 5/30/11 20:05pm]

formallypickles said:

PurpleRighteous1 said:

People keep talking about it because it still exists. Talking about it amongst ourselves is the ONLY way we can fix it.

I'm not saying either of you are bad people for feeling this way, but just wishing it would go away or anything connected to it would go away, is not helpful and it's actually detrimental to the situation. The more you wish we'd stop talking about it, the worse it will get and you'll never get your wish. We must HEAL before we move on and discussion is the first line of defense.

im not wishing it away

just saying their needs to be more postive ideals to balance it out

to many black people talk so much about whats wrong with them

shit lets talk about how cool and awesome we are for once

i dont think we could fully heal the community just talking about the black "problems"

[Edited 5/30/11 20:05pm]

That is one way to start the healing.

PurpleRighteous1 said:

formallypickles said:

armpit girl dont hide in a box

its ok to feel this way

People keep talking about it because it still exists. Talking about it amongst ourselves is the ONLY way we can fix it.

I'm not saying either of you are bad people for feeling this way, but just wishing it would go away or anything connected to it would go away, is not helpful and it's actually detrimental to the situation. The more you wish we'd stop talking about it, the worse it will get and you'll never get your wish. We must HEAL before we move on and discussion is the first line of defense.

Documentaries don't get a lot of press/advertising to begin with, but I hope this opens in more than the typical mere handful of theatres around the country..

imago said:

paisleypark4 said:

[img:$uid]http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XibkgYzsjas/TbrM3f9y1wI/AAAAAAAAACc/PkYNo-6TYcw/s1600/jumping-the-broom-movie-poster-550x814.jpg[/img:$uid]

[Edited 5/27/11 9:11am]

I haven't seen these, but generally find that the majority of 'black' movies suck.

I mean, so do white ones, but being that there are so few black movies, you'd think the directors

would give it more effort.

They remind me alot of those 'gay' movies where they're so paper thin in concept

and so fluffy and pointless, I wonder why the directors bother to make them at all.

Unless I know the ppl involved, I don't go see a lot of "black" movies in the theatres b/c - IMHO - many of them do kinda suck (I'm content wait for cable..) -- but, 'Jumping the Broom' was actually good.. funny, too

Ignoring the title for a second (since jumping the broom is a very specific thing that was done by black slaves in America [some Native Americans were also forced into slavery]), it's a story that really could have been about any 'race' - it's (as the ad implies) more of a two different worlds/classes coming together for a wedding, [trying] to become one family (and the drama/hijinks that ensue).

http://www.officialdarkgirlsmovie.com

paisleypark4 said:

PurpleRighteous1 said:

People keep talking about it because it still exists. Talking about it amongst ourselves is the ONLY way we can fix it.

I'm not saying either of you are bad people for feeling this way, but just wishing it would go away or anything connected to it would go away, is not helpful and it's actually detrimental to the situation. The more you wish we'd stop talking about it, the worse it will get and you'll never get your wish. We must HEAL before we move on and discussion is the first line of defense.

You better tell the truth.

As long as people will reflect that in the black family / social relationship, this stereotype will continue...and just like the little girl who couldnt have been any more than 5 years old ALREADY learned that society tells her she is "ugly" we have to heal ourselves and re-teach one another.

they changed the "website" into a blog..

but, also have

http://www.facebook.com/DarkGirlsMovie

http://twitter.com/darkgirls_movie

paisleypark4 said:

Some good heart to heart in here. Id like to hear if any caucasian people had this issue happen in their lives?

superficial yet deep-rooted beauty/self-esteem issues among white ppl b/c of other white ppl?

I dunno... not to trivialize it or anything, but, it seems [seems] like any time white ppl have serious issues with other white ppl, it's more due to differences in religion, politics or class (wealth/education); not differences of facial features, skin color, hair texture and/or color.

not sure if rhinoplasty counts b/c all colors go for nose jobs, but, I think the only white ppl I've heard about who were ridiculed, discriminated against, etc. by other white ppl - specifically based on looks/some trait - are redheads.

Share Your Story

http://www.officialdarkgi...your-story

You said you wanted to tell your story and we listened. We know this issue goes beyond the United States and Black people. This is for ALL women from around the world.

You can tell your stories right here. You can talk about your experiences. This is about you. This is about sharing. This is about realizing you are not alone.

We do have a few rules…

1) Please state your name and where you are from in a clear voice. No mumbling, don’t be shy, you are amongst friends.

2) Your video can’t be any longer than 5 minutes. This channel only holds about 650 videos. We want to hear from as many as we can. So please be cognizant of your sistahs.

3) Click on the agree button to participate. This will give us the right to use your stories in the documentary and in ads for “Dark Girls” (obviously for no compensation, can’t afford to pay 650 women from around the world). We are going to try and use as many compelling stories as we can.

** Terms of Use, etc. you have to agree with before submitting on the above page

http://www.officialdarkgi...of-service

formallypickles said:

from the website:

Additional interviewees for “Dark Girls” include White men in loving intimate relationships with Black women that were passed over by “their own men,” as well as dark-skinned women of Latin and Panamanian background to bring a world perspective to the issue of dark vs. light.

“Dark Girls,” which will screen in Chicago, Los Angeles and New York following its Nashville premier [in October 2011 at the International Black Film Festival], promises to be a proactive view. Berry concludes, “The skin issue is a discussion we all need to have once and for all…so we can eradicate it.”

PositivityNYC said:

Donations

http://www.indiegogo.com/...irls-Movie

(it's an independent film; their budgets are shitty....IndiGoGo falls under "crowd-funding" kind of like Kickstarter)

Perks for your contribution:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Let's Get Social: $5
A Personal Thank You tweet from the Dark Girls Movie and Bill Duke Twitter account.

7 Claimed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Inside the Film Live Chat: $20
Access to a private live chat with the filmmakers Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry and surprise guests to discuss the film and answer select questions submitted in advance. Plus everything from the level above.

9 Claimed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Autographed Dark Girls Cap: $100
Receive an exclusive autographed Dark Girls Cap. Plus everything from the levels above.

5 Claimed

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Swag: $500
Dark Girls T-shirt and Cap Autographed by Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry. Plus everything from the levels above.

0 Claimed

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Your Name in Lights: $1,000
Signed Poster by the Filmmakers and Dark Girls T-shirt and Cap Autographed by Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry. Plus everything from the levels above.

0 Claimed

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Walk the Carpet: $5,000
2 VIP tickets to Dark Girls premiere screening.

0 Claimed

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Walk the Carpet & After Party: $10,000
2 VIP tickets to Dark Girls world premiere screening and afterparty meet-and-greet with directors Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry

0 Claimed

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Premiere and Thanks!: $25,000
Ending Film Credit, 2 VIP tickets to Dark Girls premiere screening and afterparty meet-and-greet with directors Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry

0 Claimed

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VIP: $50,000
Special Thank You Credit on the Film, Dinner with Bill Duke + 1 guest, 2 VIP tickets to Dark Girls premiere screening and afterparty meet-and-greet with directors Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry
0 Claimed (3 More Available)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The Ultimate VIP: $75,000
Associate Producers Credit on the Film, Dinner with Bill Duke and (Special Guest) + 3 guests, 4 VIP tickets to Dark Girls premiere screening and afterparty meet-and-greet with directors Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry

0 Claimed (4 More Available)

a lot of responses to the trailer are getting posted (I wonder if they know they can submit their clips for the documentary..)

16 yr old girl

poet

mostly about transgender & drag stuff, but covers "DG" from 5:25: to 10:30

responses from men..

Hope the film is emotionally balanced more than the trailer, because lord, I cannot take another "woe is me/let my find the sharpest razor blade so I could slit my wrist" film.

Don't mean to be so insensitive but I'm so fuckin' SICK & TIRED of these filmmakers, everytime they put black women as the sole focus of their features, its always stigmatizing, rarely overpowering. Bear in mind that I'm not discrediting the experiences of those ladies and I feel for them given that I've been through that silly predicament myself, but hell, at least provide the other side of the argument from people of the same shade persuasion who have endured that foolishness and regained their confidence enough to tell the viewer how they did it, ya know? Give the viewer something to walk away from other than the ol' "Dark skinned women are born to this world to be treated as only cockroach shit" tagline.

Harlepolis said:

Hope the film is emotionally balanced more than the trailer, because lord, I cannot take another "woe is me/let my find the sharpest razor blade so I could slit my wrist" film.

Don't mean to be so insensitive but I'm so fuckin' SICK & TIRED of these filmmakers, everytime they put black women as the sole focus of their features, its always stigmatizing, rarely overpowering. Bear in mind that I'm not discrediting the experiences of those ladies and I feel for them given that I've been through that silly predicament myself, but hell, at least provide the other side of the argument from people of the same shade persuasion who have endured that foolishness and regained their confidence enough to tell the viewer how they did it, ya know? Give the viewer something to walk away from other than the ol' "Dark skinned women are born to this world to be treated as only cockroach shit" tagline.

well, if you're not shy, why not submit a video expressing your views on it?

~ they're accepting vids, still putting the film together .. (due out late October) -- I posted a link on one of these pages

I remember back in grade school the teachers always treated the lighter skinned kids better than the darker skinned ones. I was in the middle being brown skinned, but I sure wasn't "light enough" to get treated better. It was not a good experience at all.

It's really ridiculous and stupid for us as human beings to be so seperated by color, it truly is. I am so glad I was raised to accept people for WHO they are and not for the color of their skin.

they're requesting ppl share their stories again

this time, video or written

http://www.facebook.com/DarkGirlsMovie

http://www.officialdarkgi...your-story

SisterGirl said:

I remember back in grade school the teachers always treated the lighter skinned kids better than the darker skinned ones. I was in the middle being brown skinned, but I sure wasn't "light enough" to get treated better. It was not a good experience at all.

It's really ridiculous and stupid for us as human beings to be so seperated by color, it truly is. I am so glad I was raised to accept people for WHO they are and not for the color of their skin.

a friend of mine is very pale and was a kid in the late '50s & '60s

- she said she had a white teacher in early elementary school that was pretty mean to her; I guess some of them hated how pale someone with black heritage could be.. saw it as a "threat"

armpit said:

formallypickles said:

me either

i didnt understand how people thought Precious was so good and a tearjerker

i laughed the whole time

I heard it's quite sad, but I've never seen it and have no interest in doing so because I cannot relate to the subject matter and I'm tired of always seeing so many movies about the black community come out that are along those lines.

I remember hearing about that movie and going, "Can we just have a movie about a happy, normal black family for once? Well adjusted black people, even? Cuz they do exist."

I agree, I'm sick of these doc's and films and theie depressing topics. All with black women having issues, being rejected, not having any self worth etc.. It's almost as if a black woman is depicted in a negative light it's certain to get critical acclaim and attention. I'm thinking about Monster's Ball, Precious, Good Hair, and now this. I would like to see a film where the black woman is a happy woman in the film LOL

Having said all that I will watch it when it comes out.

it's supposed to cover more than just dark-skinned black women; they want stories from all groups.. dark-skinned [east] Indians were mentioned, too

PositivityNYC said:

they haven't finished making the film yet -- that was just a preview; who knows what they may end up covering

and, again, if anyone here has strong views on the subject, I hope they took advantage of the opportunity given by the film makers to participate... to write in or send a video to [perhaps] actually be part of a solution (which will likely be multi-faceted).