Video Discussions Transcripts

Chicago 2009: Color Consciousness — Our Beauty Journey

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SUPER: The Conversation Room

SUPER: Color Consciousness
Our Beauty Journey
Chicago 2009

Joslyn Slaughter (Moderator): "You know, you're really pretty for a dark girl." What I want to know is, what is really pretty for a dark girl? Why can't you just be pretty?

Participation: People will always say, "You've got good hair for a dark girl." And I'm like, what's good hair for a dark girl, like you said. I don't get it. Why do I have to only have good hair if I'm a dark girl? Why can I only be pretty if I'm light-skinned? And why do I have to be light-skinned? And why am I so, so dark. And why is everything either you're really pretty if you're super, super light with long, curly hair? Or, you look alright if you're dark. And why do you have to be so skinny to be pretty? And why can't you just be full-figured and fine? Why can't you just be accepted for who you are?

SUPER: There are a lot of stereotypes in our heritage ...

Participant: There's a lot of stereotypes. They're in our heritage. You know, we grew up in our lineage, coming from where we came from. So we had to overcome a lot of stereotypes. And we're still trying to overcome those stereotypes. And when we're so negative, and we focus on the negative all the time, then it just keeps us in that dark place.

Moderator: We really just need to work together, support each other. When you're walking around today and you see somebody, if they got on some earrings you like or a dress you like, say, "Ooo, that's a nice dress. Those are some cute earrings. I love your sunglasses, girl. Ooo, I like those shoes." Work with what you've got. Love what you have. We're all beautiful.

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