 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
|
Family News
Postcards
Profile of the Month
Creative Expressions
Our Picks
Delicious Dishes
Just for Fun
Did You Know
Your Two Cents
Photos and Pics
Spiritual Inspiration
|
|
| Our Picks! |  |
| Reviews of Books, Movies, Plays, and Music | |
| ||||||
 - Excellent - Very Good - GoodBooks:  The Color Complex: The Politics of Skin Color Among African Americans Authors: Kathy Russell, Midge Wilson, and Ronald Hall I highly recommend this book. In fact, it should be mandatory reading for all Black people living in this country. Written by a Black woman, a Black man, and a White woman, "The Color Complex" is a well researched and fascinating exploration of an issue rarely addressed in our community: intraracial prejudice. The authors preface the book with an historical overview of the color conflict issue which is deeply rooted in slavery. Intermarriage and relationships among slaves and their owners (some consensual, most were not) resulted in the emergence of a "mulatto" population. Although by today's standards, the term "mulatto" is largely considered derisive, the authors use the term where historically appropriate. Out of the quandary of how to classify the so-called "octoroons" and "quadroons" was birthed the infamous "one-drop rule", the vestiges of which still exist today. I was surprised to learn that many of our own institutions perpetuated intraracial prejudice. For instance, at the turn of the century, one could be "politely" invited to worship at another church if one did not pass the "paper bag" or "door" test. Most of us are familiar with the former, but the latter is equally as disturbing. Some churches painted their entrance doors a light shade of brown and those Blacks with skin darker than the door had to attend services elsewhere. Black prep schools and colleges were no better. Howard University and Spelman College (among others) allegedly at one time required applicants to pass a color test before being granted admission. In direct response to these exclusionary practices, many darker skinned students turned to Tuskegee Institute and the Daytona School for Girls (now known as Bethune-Cookman College). Another fact I found interesting involves W.E.B DuBois' Talented Tenth. Of the 21 men and 2 women who comprised the group DuBois designated to lead the masses, all but one, Phyllis Wheatley, was mulatto. The authors hypothesize that lighter skinned Blacks have a comparatively easier time than darker skinned Blacks getting ahead because their looks are more mainstream [read: acceptable] in a predominantly White society. The authors discuss studies examining the earning differential between the two groups and attempt to draw a nexus between the fewer opportunities historically available to darker skinned Blacks and the demographics of poor inner city neighborhoods and the prison population. However, the authors note, "While it is possible to trace the color-and-crime connection to differing opportunities for education and success, the suspicion that dark-skinnned Blacks, especially men, are more criminally dangerous lurks in the American psyche." The authors illustrate this point quite poignantly in their reference to George Bush's use of the controversial Willie Horton television ads during his 1988 presidential campaign. In the chapter entitled "Embracing Whiteness", the authors discuss the use of hair straighteners and skin bleaching products. Also in this chapter is a discussion about tinted contact lenses and cosmetic surgery to alter one's features. The authors also examine various theories which seek to explain the widespread preference for lighter skin and straighter hair, including Dr. Frances Cress Welsing's theory of color confrontation. Of course, this type of internalization is not unique to our culture. The authors note that it is common in Japan, India and certain Arab countries. Perhaps one of the most blatant attempts by the majority culture to propagate the beauty ideal, suggest the authors, is in the revisionists' whitening of Jesus Christ. An entire chapter is devoted to the issue of our hair. Note the authors, "the politics of hair parallels the politics of skin color. Among Black women, straight hair and European hairstyles not only have been considered more feminine but have sent a message about one's standing in the social hierarchy. 'Good hair' has long been associated with the light-skinned middle class, 'bad hair' with Blacks who are less fortunate." This preoccupation with straight hair is hardly a new phenomenon. The authors note that during the time of slavery, house servants used hog lard, margarine, or butter to lay their hair down. This is an issue I can write an entire dissertation on but suffice it to say that we still have a long way to go in the acceptance of our varying hair textures. Speaking of dissertation topics, the authors provide an in-depth discussion on interracial relationships. One thing that they point out worth mentioning here is the tendency for some Blacks to differentiate themselves on the basis of skin hue, etc. For instance, have you ever looked at some of the personal ads? Why do people feel compelled to include in their physical description the following: light-skinned, light complexion, mixed, light brown eyes, wavy hair, or long hair? As if those particular qualities alone afford you higher status in the game of dating. "The Color Complex" also examines color harassment in the workplace and Black media images. I can't possibly do the book justice in this short summary. While I did not necessarily agree with all of the authors' observations and conclusions, the book was engrossing and I found myself re-evaluating my own thoughts on particular issues. And that's what a good book should do. Stop by your local bookstore to purchase "The Color Complex" and let me know what you think. Movies:  Plays/Musicals  Music  My Top 20 Favorite Movies Submitted by: Lisa M. Newman 1. The Green Mile 2. The Five Heartbeats 3. The Shawshank Redemption 4. Cooley High 5. Get on the Bus 6. Carmen Jones 7. Life 8. Misery 9. Boomerang 10. Eve's Bayou 11. Nothing But a Man 12. The Learning Tree 13. Set It Off 14. Cape Fear/The Hand that Rocks the Cradle (tied) 15. School Daze 16. A Soldier's Story 17. New Jack City 18. anything with Denzel Washington 19. anything with Bill Cosby and Sidney Poitier 20. anything with Richard Pryor and Gene Wilder |
 Sign Guestbook |
 View Guestbook |
 lmnewman@prodigy.net |
|
. |
| Visitors: 00046 |