you know, i think that's only an attitude that exists within our country (america). in other countries throughout the carribbean, south america, and coastal europe, this is a non-issue; black folks sunbathe ALL the time at the beach, at the pool,luxury resorts, you name it. i'm a black woman too and i have sunbathed often while i lived in florida, south america, and i still sunbathe when i'm on vacation. i personally like the rosy glow my skin gets when i go a little deeper in color ,and i LOVE the way make-up falls on a sunkissed sista's skin. you don't even need much, maybe a nice lip gloss from mac or bobbie brown, a "touch" of something on the eyes (only mascara in hot climates), and your cheeks are all rosy by themselves from the sun- it looks FABULOUS!

i'm not trying to call anybody out for not really being into the sunbathing concept if they're black, but i just think it's really jacked up that many of our black american brothers and sisters think that our skin is not deserving of being caressed by the sun because we're already black. except in the usa, this idea dosen't make sense to much of the black population the world over, and clearly demonstates what a number slavery did on our psyches, because here we are in 2004, completely colorstruck and still believing it's somehow "wrong"
to be in the sun when we're already black. like sub-consciously we want to avoid the stigma of being blacker if we can help it...good lawd...

to the orger above that believes they have no business sunbathing, i would say nono! i would also say get your tushie on down to miami or ft.lauderdale and put on your cutest swimsuit and experience how FREEING it is to just fall asleep in the sun with the waves crashing near your feet. then afterwards, get yourself all cute-ed up head on over to the nearest mac make-up counter, and get a tube of "SHOCK-A-LATE!" lip gloss. purchase, apply, then notice how many folks you'll practically have to beat off with a stick when you walk down the street because you'll be looking so fly wit'cha chocolate self!

peace out.