(J.C. Brooks for www.eurthisnthat.com) There has always been a racial bias between dark women and light or white women. Hell! The racial playground of America has always pitted white against black. But, when it comes to the women or shall I say mothers, something totally different happens. The bias in America of course leans toward white women or what reminds America of white women…light women. And if we’re going to have an honest conversation about this dilemma, there is a documentary waiting for you.
“Dark Girls” is a documentary directed by the legendary Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry, that touches the heart of, not just dark women, but the country that built the perception that dark African American women had nothing to offer in their wombs. A dark woman in the documentary talked about how hurtful it was when her close girlfriend had a baby and she came to see her and the friend said, “I’m so glad she didn’t come out dark!” Self-hate. Self-hate shared with a friend that is a dark woman, who wants someone to celebrate her darkness not look at it as a curse and thought that was understood. But self-hatred is blinding and bold and debilitating to everything it touches.
There are numerous stories in the documentary that will hopefully educate everyone, of all races. It shows a much deeper perspective; the penetrating effects of dark women being hurt at home. It tells the story beyond the black men that only want to be with the light woman or (for those who don’t mind bringing her home) the white woman. It tells the story of dark women who weren’t celebrated by their own mothers. The self-hatred these women experienced is profound and their eyes tell thousands of stories from around the world that their mouths could never speak.
This documentary will finally say what Spike Lee attempted time and time again to expose in 1988′s ground-breaking “School Daze” and his instrumental 1991 film, “Jungle Fever.” Watch for the movie in Fall/Winter 2011. Check out this monumental piece here and prepare to finally have the conversation.
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