Documentary: Complexion Obsession Pt. 1

Sandra Rose February 23, 2010

Thanks to loyal reader Zuley for sending the link to this video which breaks down the controversial issue of complexion obsession and self hate in the music industry. I’ll never forget an industry insider telling me that directors only want LSLH chicks in their music videos because they don’t have to change the lighting for dark skin video vixens.

nika405

I can’t and I won’t…. not today.
http://twitter.com/Q_ATLANTIS Q_ATLANTIS

I’m proud to be dark-skinned…Its just like I said on twitter last night :: #noshade to my light-skinned followers but… LSLH chicks are a dime a dozen, a pretty dark-skinned chick is PRICELESS

Its times like this that I really wish I could change my profile pic … d*** firewall at work
http://twitter.com/sherita78 mizzdallas

wow!
bk2atl

The last model summed it up perfectly…everbody admits it’s a problem, but no one is doing anything to change it. I think pretty girls, no matter what complexion, are a dime a dozen. You can find beauty in every shade of the rainbow.
Kp

I do understand that it is a preference. But when you really think about it isn’t it an indirect self hate? Of course I’m not referring to all rappers, but the ones of darker complexion’s mothers could possibly be as dark as they are and yet none of them would say that wouldn’t date someone that looked like their mothers. Or as the reporter said we don’t see anyone in the video that could possibly be your sister.
rjk8

I’m confused is this chick complaining about women that look like her or is she complaining about (mixed) women who are a little more lighter than her who are getting the leading roles?
free

nika405 Says: I can’t and I won’t…. not today.

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THANK YOU! it’s so exhausting….
gypsyeyes

I won’t comment on this topic either because someone’s right is someone’s wrong and vice versa but I will say this.
Q_Atlantis you are beautiful and I will not say ‘for a darkskinned girl’ cause I hate that. Beauty is beauty no matter the shade.
biglegs36

Ok Cassidy STFU! He is stupid and hre sounds stupid! I can certainly say that I understand how it feels to be looked over because your skin is darker. But I had to suffer double sided hate, because I was brown skinned with long hair. Not weave my own natural hair. Most chicks in school hated me, because my hair was long and pretty, and some boys liked that. But at the sametime, others boys didnt like me because my skin was to dark for them. I couldn’t win for loosing. But I learned quickly not to give a damn! It didn’t chose my genes. Black is beautiful in all shades! Not all light skinned women are pretty or have long hair.
rjk8

Everyone in this video is really talking around the issue. What is the physical preference of the majority of black men. The majority of black men like/prefer the face and hair of a younger white woman or a black light skin woman or a ethnic/exotic woman. They like/prefer the lower body (flat stomach, hips,legs and thighs) of a black woman Height-weight proportional (somewhere between 140lbs to 175lbs). Black women make the mistake of not keeping up the physical characteristic that men like the most about them. Very few black women under six feet look better 200lbs plus than she would if she was 175lbs or less. Just my opinion.
sharnell

i want to see in my lifetime where this is a nonissue in our community. i am as dark as they come and i could tell you good points and bad points of my complexion. and vice versa
http://youtube.com yesindeedio

This is the very reason that I do not support rap music period. I am a medium to dark skinned and I have natural hair. I love my hair and I love my complexion and I’m not going to support a culture that does not support me. What should happen is that these wannabe vixens should boycott and do something else and see where the music video business goes then. They are harping about how unfortunate and unfair it is but they will take a role in a minute that they know they got because of their complexion.

We have GOT to do better and start loving ourselves. There is NOTHING wrong with the way God made you. We are all made in his image.
biglegs36

rjk8 Says:Black women make the mistake of not keeping up the physical characteristic that men like the most about them. Very few black women under six feet look better 200lbs plus than she would if she was 175lbs or less. Just my opinion.

I need to understand what your really trying to say!
shannon04

@biglegs36…I thought the same thing that cassidy sounds very stupid. The guy from Clipse sounded good until he said “with a good perm”. I was feeling the chocolate part of the comment but I just don’t get it with these guys wanting us to look like someone we’re not.
Redeemed777

I love ALL shades of Black
I love ALL races of black ( African, African-American, Black-Brazilian, Black-Hispanic, Black-Carribean, ALL BLACK )

Black people are God’s first people, his children, and it aint nothing nobody or spirit can do to change that.
Redeemed777

The Most High made Blacks the most beautiful!
The Most High made Blacks the most intelligent!

Black people are the Kings and Queens of the earth, and I will promote this everytime and everywhere I go.
Redeemed777

Fall back all ye workers of evil who try to dilute, divide, and eradicate the black race.

The wrath of the Almighty is upon your children and your children’s children!
rjk8

biglegs36 Says:

rjk8 Says:Black women make the mistake of not keeping up the physical characteristic that men like the most about them. Very few black women under six feet look better 200lbs plus than she would if she was 175lbs or less. Just my opinion.

I need to understand what your really trying to say!
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If you are over 200lbs single, do not have a significant other and currently looking. You might want to consider losing a few.
KaraZ

umm Q_Atlantis, pretty dark skinned are also a dime a dozen… your statement seems like you’ve fallen into the trap that dark skinned people are uglier, we all know that’s not true.
biglegs36

This is my thing. Light skin and long hair doesn’t make you prettier then, dark skin and long hair. What would piss me off when my hair was long. Is women who didn’t me know, would ask me”is that weave?” or they would try and play if off and try and touch it! BYTCH #1 I don’t wear weave, #2 don’t touch my hair! #3 kiss my darker then yours azz! Not everybody is a weave wearing. But even white girls, would ask”um how is your hair long and straight like mine?” “Um because your great granddaddy had a thing for black women” That would always end that conversation.
nydiva4u

This complexion issue within our community needs to stop. We are all black no matter what shade. If a guy has a preference, so be it–his loss, his stupidy. You never see white woman hating on each other skins color. Just another stupid thing that goes on in our community.
KrayZKat

Okay, this subject has been rehashed over and over again. As others have said, “when are we going to change our mindset? When are we going to DO something about it?”

It’s fascinating to me how people have such limited views of beauty. I marvel at some black men who can look in the mirror and see their chocolate skin, full lips, nose, and kinky hair and think a woman who looks like him is not attractive. What is he saying about himself? I marvel at it because it’s not about preferences, as we so love to say, but about not wanting someone who looks like him. Why? I’m not saying this about all black men, but many. You’d think we’d know by now that after many, many years of being brainwashed we’d finally say, “enough all ready!” There’s not one person on this planet that is gonig to tell me I’m inferior or not beautiful because of my rich, brown skin. This “LSLH = Beauty” sentiment is not only prevalent in the black community, but brown communities around the world.

Until WE take responsibility for our minds, this LSLH obsession will continue and 99 years from now, the conversation will still be talked about. As long as we continue to tune in and buy into it, they will continue to perpetuate this nonsense.
LuvMySailor

Biglegs36 Um because your great granddaddy had a thing for black women” That would always end that conversation.

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you are a boss for that comment!!

What do we expect from an industry that had popularized the “N” word, glories materialism, and perpetuates the idea of manhood being found in your gun, money, homies, and street cred and not in your ability to be a provider with a good heart among other wonderful qualities?
biglegs36

rjk8 Says: If you are over 200lbs single, do not have a significant other and currently looking. You might want to consider losing a few.

Really!! Oh ok. I will leave this alone!
http://hok.com ATL_Reese

Ok, I watch the video, but I just dont get it. Its a job regardless, same as black men in corporate america, and notice how the “LS black male” is also accepted in corporate world, and darker black man gets held to a certain point. I just think these girls shouldnt really care, bcuz not all black women strive to be “video vixens”.. I feel like they should focus on the real life issues, instead of what color women is in these fake ass videos (entertainment only).. SO wit that being said, most videos usually DEGRADE the women. But as a man, its sad that they view the black woman for her “assets” and not her face. That’s very racist, but its all apart of the grand scheme of things to create more issues within the race and amongst women.. But this is bigger than videos, becuz think its the same thing as slavery days. Dark men in the field, Light skin men aka the Uncle toms…
We all bleed blood, breathe oxygen, so y all the racism?
KrayZKat

rjk8 Says:

biglegs36 Says:

rjk8 Says:Black women make the mistake of not keeping up the physical characteristic that men like the most about them. Very few black women under six feet look better 200lbs plus than she would if she was 175lbs or less. Just my opinion.

I need to understand what your really trying to say!
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If you are over 200lbs single, do not have a significant other and currently looking. You might want to consider losing a few.
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How simplistic. Funny how in my hometown, I see tons (no pun intended) of overweight white woman strolling arm and arm with these same black men who wouldn’t give a overweight sister the time of day. The fact is, it doesn’t bother me because he would not be on my radar anyway. I don’t deal with superficial, shallow men. Also, the MAJORITY of black men are with black women. I’m responding to your statement, “The majority of black men like/prefer the face and hair of a younger white woman or a black light skin woman or a ethnic/exotic woman.” In reality, they are only a fantasy because the majority of black men I see aren’t with the so-called LSLH, exotic chick, and if that were his only criterion for a woman, I’d just as well say, “so-long brother, better she has you than I.”
LuvMySailor

What kills me is the double standard.

Light skinned/white women are praised for their beauty IN THEIR YOUTH. It is the Black women who are praised for “looking young” in older age. Melanin is what keeps us looking young. More Melanin, darker the skin.
LuvMySailor

KrayZKat

This might ruffle a few feathers. I have a distinct feeling that most of those Black men are with those fat white girls because they know they can do whatever the want to/with them and the girl is going to be so happy with a man they will not care.

I’ve had Black male friends tell me they like white women because they are pushovers and more submissive. This might not be in all cases, but again I’ve had two black male friends tell me this.

As a overweight woman myself, low self-esteem is common in all bigger women in all races. I have seem some ish that makes me SMDH. These women are so happy to have a man they let them cheat, take thier tax refund money et al
biglegs36

LuvMySailor this is true. It’s jusy sad that after all these years we haven’t gotten any better as a people. My family is made up of shades. My parents raised me to love people for who they are, not what they look like. Why can’t we love and support our own?
Al-Ameera

Q_ATLANTIS Says:

I’m proud to be dark-skinned…Its just like I said on twitter last night :: #noshade to my light-skinned followers but… LSLH chicks are a dime a dozen, a pretty dark-skinned chick is PRICELESS
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Uhhhhh I am going to assume that this came out wrong and not how you intended it to. Because one could surmise from this that you are saying that light skinned people are generally pretty and dark people generally are not and that is why it is RARE to find a pretty dark skinned girl…is that what you are saying?

I am so over the color thing, I am surprised that black people are not past this. I consider myself dark (even tho people constantly tell me I am in denial) and well I love me some me. And my husband…Geez that man is the BEST thing out of West Africa with his black self.

I really wish people would get some self esteem already.
KrayZKat

LuvMySailor,

You are absolutely right! That’s exactly the case. It’s so funny because if they see a sister nearby, they’ll grab the arm of the brother and get all affectionate with him as though they are making you jealous. You’re right about the self-esteem issue as well. I’ve been overweight before and had to battle it myself.
mirsmommy

gypsyeyes Says:

I won’t comment on this topic either because someone’s right is someone’s wrong and vice versa but I will say this.
Q_Atlantis you are beautiful and I will not say ‘for a darkskinned girl’ cause I hate that. Beauty is beauty no matter the shade.
_______________________________________________________

I sooooo with you.
KrayZKat

Al-Ameera, girl, I’m over it too. It goes so much deeper than self-esteem (in my opinion). It’s like the people’s of the world have been bamboozled into believing that white skin is superior. The black community isn’t the only “victims” of this madness. Indians (from India), Latins, Asians, etc. all strive to have that European look. Why is that? How did we all get to this point?
Redeemed777

ANY black man who says he likes a white women because she is more submissive is not worthy to be called a King.

A King faces challenges and finds ways to overcome those challenges.
A King does not give up so easily
A King is READY TO DIE for what he believes in

In essence, black women may or may-not be submissive (her choice), but as a black King, it is your duty to stick to her regardless.

A black King should not give up on his black queen so easily.
A black King should set a pure example for his black queen to follow.
A black King should be ready to die for his black queen.
biglegs36

KrayZkat I am glad you went there because I wasn’t going too. I feel you though. I am brown skinned 5’9 and 200lbs, not ashame and nor will I ever be. A man(black or white) doesn’t define who I am! Like you said “I don’t deal with superficial, shallow men.”
KrayZKat

biglegs36 Says:

KrayZkat I am glad you went there because I wasn’t going too. I feel you though. I am brown skinned 5?9 and 200lbs, not ashame and nor will I ever be. A man(black or white) doesn’t define who I am! Like you said “I don’t deal with superficial, shallow men.”
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biglegs36, and we shouldn’t have to either, sister. AMEN! I wish we’d all learn to love the skin we’re in and not let others validate us.
KrayZKat

biglegs36, and we shouldn’t have to either, sister. AMEN! I wish we’d all learn to love the skin we’re in and not let others validate us.
KrayZKat

Sorry for the double post. I got an error message with the first one.
lagirl68

My co-worker who is from Africa is always complaining that he can’t find a date or a girlfriend. I asked him what type of woman does he like . He said that he only prefers women with a light complexion. My response to him..was that’s why you’re still single.
pointhimout

did ANYBODY finish watching this? if so, how? the interviewing started off wrong when she let rick ross’ question steer her away from the purpose of this documentary. he asked ‘is it a problem’ and she couldn’t flat out respond YEAH, IT IS.

the irony of her video is she’s interviewing the same LSLH chicks, as opposed to the darker complexion girls who really are not cast in projects.
biglegs36

pointhimout Says:

did ANYBODY finish watching this? if so, how? the interviewing started off wrong when she let rick ross’ question steer her away from the purpose of this documentary. he asked ‘is it a problem’ and she couldn’t flat out respond YEAH, IT IS.

the irony of her video is she’s interviewing the same LSLH chicks, as opposed to the darker complexion girls who really are not cast in projects.

Rick Ross is a damn crossed eyed bugga bear! If wasn’t rapping nobody would look in his direction. I was waiting for her to say yeah blacker then everybody else in the room azz negro it is! Oh wait wasn’t he dating Foxy Brown! Who isn’t light anywhere but on her feet!
Pingback: Obsession()
intensemocha

WHITE WOMEN BEEF TOO

BLONDES VS BRUNETTES

HISPANIC WOMEN BEEF TOO OVER LIGHT SKINNED/DARK SKINNED

ASIANS, AFRICANS ETC

RACIAL ISSUES EXIST AMONGST ALL RACES-BUT BLACK/WHITE RACIAL ISSUES GARNER MORE ATTENTION AND RESPONSES
intensemocha

DO I DARE BRING UP THE RACIAL TENSION BETWEEN

AFRICAN WOMEN-WHO RECENTLY CAME TO THE US

JAMAICAN WOMEN

AND BLACK WOMEN-MANY JAMAICANS AND AFRICAN WOMEN DON’T LIKE TO BE REFERRED TO AS AFRICAN-AMERICAN WOMEN

EVERYONE IS TRYING TO PECK AT THE OTHER TO FEEL SUPERIOR AND GAIN ACCEPTANCE FROM “BEIGE FOLKS” THE MORE DERAGATORY YOUR STATEMENTS AGAINST BLACKS AND THE MORE YOU TRY TO SEPARATE YOURSELF-THEY ASSUME THEY GAIN ACCEPTANCE

LITTLE DO THEY KNOW THEY LUMP ALL OF US IN ONE PILE-MOST OF THE TIME

AND I DISAGREE WITH THIS NEW MOVIE COMING OUT-WITH REGINA KING WITH THE BLACK GUY MARRING THE HISPANIC WOMAN

IT’S SO OBVIOUS THESE MOVIES REFLECT WHAT’S HAPPENING IN OUR SOCIETY-DO I HAVE A PROBLEM WITH IT NOT REALLY MY FIANCE IS BLACK-SO THE POOL OF ELIGIBLE PARTIES TO DATE IS NOT MY CONCERN

LOL-IT’S JUST QUITE FUNNY HOW TIMES HAVE CHANGED AND NOW THE MEDIA HAS A MOVIE LIKE THIS COMING OUT NOW
http://facebook.com/renz.renegadesince1985 renegadesince1985

Most jamaicans would not like to be referred to as african american because the problem lies within being referred to as american…not the african part…Jamaicans are proud of our west indian culture. It has nothing to do with being dark vs. light.
missB90

This issue just drains me everytime. And it goes so much farther than hollywood, that’s why it is such a major issue. I have cousins who HOPE their baby comes out lightskin and practice favoritism to the ones who are lighter. Black is beautiful, and by black i mean every shade, every hair texture, every size. Until we learn to love eachother progression will forever escape us as a race…tisk tisk
sis358

omg and whats up with gucci manes old black lipped UGLY self always praisin “yella bonez” in his songs??

i have a chocolate complexion like my dad but my sister and mother are both light, people always think they are spanish..do i have self esteem issues HELL NO i have issues with BLACK men praising light over dark and saying that they would only be with lighter skin women

when i think of gucci mane i
Nthabi

Ten minutes of my life that I will NEVER GET BACK!!!

Women , through the feminism movement, have come TOO FAR, struggling for socio-economic and socio-political EMPOWERMENT; there is still gender-based violence (including Female Genital Mutilation and circumcision), disparities in education, disenfranchisement in healthcare rights for women (HIV-AIDS is a “woman’s” disease in poor countries, no access to credit and microenterprise, no political clout for women…. the list is endless…

So this type of trivial “gender-issue” of LIGHT SKIN versus DARK SKIN women, really, really, really PISSES ME THE HELL OFF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

thatisall
http://dahoneyhive.blogspot.com ryand91

SMH, I’m so over this whole light skin darn skin thing. I’ve just come to terms with the fact that since I’m a brown skin female, I have to work twice as hard as my light skin counterparts. I hate how they keep throwing the term exotic around, wtf is exotic. I’m of Black/Jamaican and Chinese decent, yet I’m brown skin so I’m counted out as being “exotic or different”
starr2910

it’s true though..sadly…why else would TI, for example, date and impregnate that fugly troll Tiny? these dudes would rather be seen around with a ugly LSLH chick, then a decent looking darker skinned woman..

..also you got these darker skinned athletes/artists doing the same thing..Like to them, it’s light or it’s not right..must have been a lot of self hate when they were younger…
Shauny

I’m old in commenting on this BUT Cassidy is by far one of the most ignorant people I’ve ever heard speak. SMDH
MsG

This ongoing topic proves that black folks are still not free. The day we realize that the house and field blacks were all still slaves, then we will be free. We were all abused, raped and misused. For us to continue this abuse on ourselves for Massa in 2010 is disturbing beyond words.

Sidebar: I will NEVER support Cassidy and Rick Ross in any way, shape or form again. Ever.