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The “Angry Dark Skin Friend”

There’s a common pattern in many forms of black media where there are 2 black female characters who are friends or sisters, one being lighter in skintone, while the other is darker. Even though darkskin and lightskin women form friendships all the time, the way they’re commonly depicted in Black Media is what stands out and perpetuates certain stereotypes:

1. in the film/show/etc, the main character/focus of the 2 is typical the lighter skin woman

2. this makes the darker skin woman the “sidekick”

3. the lighter skin woman is portrayed as prettier, nicer, “classier”, more reserved, and/or overall more likeable and desirable

4. the darker skin woman is portrayed as shady, mean, loud, desperate, abrasive, aggressive, and/or overall less attractive (many would say “ghetto”)

These photos show just a few examples that came to mind…

Coming to America (1988) - The darker skin sister was more desperate for a man, chasing after Prince Akeem, Simi, and even her sister’s ex-fiancé. In the frame of society’s norms, this would be seen as “fast”, “tacky” or lacking in morals, which would therefore, make her less fitting to be a wife.

House Party (1990) - The darker skin friend (AJ Johnson) was the louder, more outgoing friend who was ready to date both Kid & Play, whereas Tisha Campbell’s character was more timid, and ended up being Kid’s “better suited” love interest.

Martin (1992-1997) - Once again, Tisha Campbell is playing the main female character, Gina Waters, and love interest to the main character, Martin Payne. While Gina is depicted as a kinder, classier, professional, “wifey” type, her best friend/assistant Pamela James, played by Tichina Arnold, is depicted as a loud, angry, man-less, berating black woman with “buckshots” and “beedeebees” in her “horse” hair, who was constantly butting heads with Martin.

Proud Family (2001-2005) - Penny, the lighter skin girl, was the main character with Dijonay, the darker skin girl, as the friend/sidekick. Dijonay had a less “traditional” name, as did her many siblings, was portrayed as louder, having more attitude, and was constantly chasing after Sticky, a boy who not only didn’t want her, but preferred the lighter skin friend, Penny.

Rick Ross’ Music Video for “Aston Martin Music” (2010) - In the early portion of the video, we see a young Ricky out on the block with other neighborhood kids, dreaming about owning a luxury car one day. Among the kids there’s 2 young girls, one darker skin and the other lighter skin. While the darker skin girl is quick to berate him and tear down his dreams of ever being that successful, raising her voice and waving her finger in his face, the lighter skin girl is quick to reassure him and support his dream. Once again, this display reaffirms the stereotype of darker skin women being mean, bitter, and angry, while lighter skin women are kinder, sweeter, and happier.

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The top 3 women tennis players in the United States.

Serena Williams Venus Williams And Sloane Stephens.

After winning her match today (04/10/16) she, Sloane Stephens passes Madison Keys in the rankings.

#blackexcellence

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Privilege: Having feminists say it's a form of rape to leak your naked pictures out there while the fat black woman gets laughed at

1) I didn’t even know Jill Scott had naked pictures because internet feminists were not worried about her.

2) and those who are aware of Jill’s leaks are so busy shaming her body they can’t see that she’s a victim too.

This is what white supremacy does. It dehumanizes you & makes it impossible for you to be seen as anything but other. And if they can’t relate to you on a human level, victimization is not seen as such.

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Nicki Minaj by kevinwada

Yea, she turned into Storm.  It was not on request, nor was it on purpose.  I just can’t kick this superhero thing!  Not that I’m complaining.  In the end I’m happy with how this turned out.  You can be the king but watch the queen conquer.

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shocked to see how much people donated to Darren Wilson. It’s crazy

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White People: The Middle East is so barbaric. They’ll cut off a person’s hand just for stealing!

White People when an unarmed black kid is murdered by police in America: Yeah, but he shoplifted some cigarillos, so…

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Eartha Kitt. Photographed by Gordon Parks. (1952)

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I'll respect your "opinion" when your "opinion" doesn't infringe on the rights of other living beings.

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DEBI JACKSON, MOTHER OF TRANSGENDER CHILD, GIVES MOVING SPEECH

The best part of the video may be when Jackson addresses the comments she’s heard about her daughter and sets the record straight about statements like you “wanted a girl so you turned your child into one” and “kids have no idea what they want or who they are — my kids wants to be a dog, should I let him?”

So watch the full video to see her answers to those difficult questions here.

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I just want to know, why didn't they cover his body up?

Once they snatched the soul from his body, did his humanity leave him, too? His lifeless corpse, swollen from anxious dreams deferred, sizzling on a hot August day.

Why did you leave him like that?

As a symbol?

As a warning?

…As a calling card?

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it’s so weird that learning about racism is totally a completely optional side quest for white people

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Natural hair color ideas and inspiration!

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Hmm. I feel like the women to play other roles would be readily available as well. She seems to hit the real problem in the last part of this gif set, but I'm not here for the other parts. Seems like respectability/blaming.

Terry McMillan’s thoughts on reality television.