Integrity in Black Community

Integrity in Black Community dark-skinned blacks are viewed BY DOMINIQUE WILLIAMS since the beginning of slavery, how The York College Cultural Diversity Program presented a screening of it was divided between the house the movie Dark Girls,an exploration slaves, who were lighter, and the on how dark-skinned females are field slaves, who were darker. The treated in the black community on black community started to see being light-skinned as a type of higher Dec.S. After the film a panel discussion status within society while at the was held featuring English Professor same time creating a rift between Mychel Namphy and History Profes- the African-American community. The movie then explored the issor George White. The film explored many of the sue of how darker-skinned black unique aspects that women of color women are viewed by black men and endure as minorities in everyday life. the cultural perception that black The film featured several segments men would prefer to date a lighterof women telling stories about skinned black woman over a darker put down or degraded by friends one. After the end of the movie, the panand family simply for being darkelists discussed their own experiencskinned. The movie showcased black actors and comedians discussing col- . es with colorism and the negative orism and how it affects young black essodanons behind the word 'black.' girls. One of the actors, Viola Davis, Jonetta Moody discussed how being discusses her time growing up in a one of the darkest members in her white suburban area being called an family she felt a sense of insecurity until her brother married a darker'ugly black mgga' by whites. 'We wanted the students to par- skinned black women, which motiticipate in an important aspect of vated her to have more confidence in their empowerment.' said Namphy her skin-tone. Moody also mentions . as he outlined the importance of the discrimination, not only towards darker skinned blacks but to lighter movie's message. "This is an issue that's been going on skinned blacks as well. "This whole thing about colorism for too long and it needs to be dealt with: said Andrew Jackson, an ad- comes down to a method of colonialjunct professor in Cultural Diversity ism," said Jackson. "This is an issue and Black Studies. Jackson expressed that's been going on for too long and his passion for getting the message it needs to be dealt with.' York Colleg's Cultural Diversity Program screened Dark Girls followed by a panel discussion of female experiences within the black community (PHOTO FROM DARK GIRLS FACEBOOK PAGE)

out on colorism in America. The movie started out with how

Dominique Williams is a contributing writer. You can reach her at:dominique. williams@ yorkmail.cunyedu •