By Tyehimba on July 17, 2004

“Dark Blacks themselves have internalized notions of Black inferiority. Sigmund Freud, the famous psychiatrist, coined the word ‘introjection’ to explain how external threats (such as stereotypes, derogatory language and oppression) can be internalized by a target group, who then use it as a defence mechanism to deal with their feelings of inferiority. As a result, many have deep feelings of insecurity and inadequacy that can manifest in their acting out the same discrimination and abuse that is directed at them. For instance, I have witnessed Black persons in an effort to disassociate themselves from their own dark complexion make disparaging comments about the colour of individuals who are just as dark as them.”

…

“We can see how colorism is maintained, by children being given solely white, blonde haired dolls to play with, by TV broadcasting that mainly show white, and light-skinned people as beautiful and desirable, by TV Ads and billboards that promote the beauty of the light hued person. The winners and participants of beauty pageants are usually white or light skinned. Girls are told that ‘if you not red, you dead’. Light-skinned females are generally preferred by males and regarded as more beautiful than their darker hued counterparts. Light children are often preferred and given more attention than darker children. Dark children still get teased, taunted and often are viewed as ugly or unattractive. People are told to accept a lily white, blonde, blue eyed Jesus as their lord and saviour or else be doomed to hell. Given these patterns, it is no wonder that many risk their health by using carcinogenic lightening cream to lighten their skin, in an effort to become as ‘good’ and as ‘beautiful’ as the white/light skin images that they are constantly bombarded with.”

These are two quotes from the article. Please do click on the link (the title of the article) to read the whole article. I believe that it’s something we should all read as the youth of today.

Thank you.