Expert: Mariah AS - 3/16/2010

Question
Hello,

I am currently studying Comparative American Studies at Warwick University in England. I am in my final year and am about to start my dissertation. I have studied colonisation and slavery at length and read a great deal on inter-racial intercourse. A large majority of what I have read refers to the rape of female African slaves, often by white plantation owners or those in positions of power, and subsequently the birth of an African American mixed race. It is the perception of mixed race women in the 19th Century that I wish to explore. Many texts written at the time express the notion that mixed race women were more erotic and sexualised than either their purely African or American parents. In sum these texts implied that to be of mixed race and having lighter skin was highly desirable and was considered more attractive than to be of a single race. There is much written on the idea of women of mixed race being more attractive and desirable especially in Latin American literature and factual accounts, one example being Vera Kutzinski’s "Sugar’s Secrets and the Erotics of Cuban Nationalism".
My question to you is to what extent do you think (or do you believe others think) that to have lighter skin and thus be noticeably mixed race in contemporary American society is preferable and desirable over being purely of African or European heritage? The number of women and men using skin lightening creams has increased over the last decade – do you think this can be seen as proof that people regard lighter/mixed race skin as better?

I’d be incredibly grateful for any response or opinion!

Answer
Hi,

I believe that in today's society many men and women prefer light skin over dark skin. It goes back to slavery. The women and men that looked mixed or were light skinned were treated better. They were allowed to work in the house and usually got to eat some leftovers of their masters dinner. In the meantime the dark skinned slaves were treated harshly. They had to work out in the hot sun for the entire day, everyday. This way of thinking is still relevant in today's America.

Now over the years it has gotten better. Many dark skinned people are in the mainstream like Oprah or Jessica White, the supermodel. They are seen as beautiful. But there is also a line. It is not all "the rage" to be pale skinned. So, many people are tanning to make themselves darker. On the other hand dark skinned people want to look like the tanned people. So, they use skin lightening creams. It's like a double edged sword.

I mainly blame the mainstream media for the way some people view themselves negatively. Even though there are popular people who are dark skinned, the are not on the covers of the beauty magazines. Many of the African-Americans that we do see on a daily basis are of mixed race. Such as Barack Obama, Halle Berry, and Alicia Keys. It seems like if you only look a certain way you can be on top. That one look is spreading throughout for men and women. So, in order for them to make themselves be "beautiful" they use skin lightening creams.

I hope I helped. You are always welcome to ask me to clear something up about this.