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European standards of beauty and colorism really makes me, and black people that look like me (lightskinned), have access to some privileges. I feel like that gives me some sort of responsability I haven't really figured out yet. I don't know if this is wrong to say, but I've (+)
often noticed that my race isn't really as much of a factor to white people I meet. I mostly fall on that "exotic looking" category so, even though I still experience racism, I feel like it's easier for me to get "a seat at the table" with some of them, does that make sense? (+)
I've met racist people that have told me straight to my face that they didn't like Black people like I wasn't one myself.
A phrase that I hear a lot is "well, you're Black but not really though." like it's supposed to be a compliment somehow??
I mean, I am nowhere close to (+)
A phrase that I hear a lot is "well, you're Black but not really though." like it's supposed to be a compliment somehow??
I mean, I am nowhere close to (+)
being anybody's white passing, but I'm lightskinned, have light eyes and keep my hair cut very short. Because of that, I've often been taken as an example of "the good negro" or "Black, but not like *those* blacks" which is absolutely terrible, but (+)
my point is that I always feel like that gives me access to some privileges I can and should be using to help on our fight in general. Back to what I was saying about the racist people I've met, I believe it would be easier for me to call them out on their bullshit, you know? (+)
This is a mess, but I hope y'all know what I'm saying.
Some white people seem to be more open to lightskinned Black people, so how can I use that to lift other Black people up. I don't even know if this makes sense, it's really late and I'm tired.
Some white people seem to be more open to lightskinned Black people, so how can I use that to lift other Black people up. I don't even know if this makes sense, it's really late and I'm tired.
I just remembered that Jesse Williams talked about this in an interview and he's a perfect example of what I'm talking about.
We're the same complexion so you can see what I'm talking about. Colorism is real and it shouldn't be a thing.
We're the same complexion so you can see what I'm talking about. Colorism is real and it shouldn't be a thing.
Also, nothing irks me more than the "you're Black, but not THAT Black " attitude I see from some folks. I'm not "really tanned" "exotic looking" or whatever else. I'm Black and am prouder of that each day of my blackitty Black, Black life. I don't know how else to say it
There's a lot of fetishizing in that as well. I hear a lot of people say "oooh, he's brown with light eyes" to my parents in a congratulatory tone, like they had gotten the prettiest dog in the litter on some shit.
But that's a conversation for another thread
But that's a conversation for another thread
Found the Jesse Williams quote! He's a lot more well spoken than me so I guess this could make my point a bit clearer.
Crazy that we both have had a similar experience with a nonsensical white person saying we're not Black as a compliment.
Crazy that we both have had a similar experience with a nonsensical white person saying we're not Black as a compliment.
One last thing, I am only one person. Please don't consider this true for the rest of my community as we are different, individual people with opinions that may differ. These are just my thoughts.
