Dark music, dark clothes, dark makeup, why not dark complexion?

[Mean Salley]

This is often a huge issue in African, African American and strangely enough, Indian communities. Why have people particularly in cultures with people of color as well as caucasian communities been so opposed to darker skinned womens?

I've noticed that when people are posting pictures of female celebrities or models, they are almost ALWAYS light skinned to pale. There's nothing wrong with it, I think it's just personal taste and influence, but I think that if women with darker skin were portrayed the way they do those with lighter skin, things would be a whole lot different.

When I lived in Harlem I was in the middle of an African community, (2 blocks from the apollo, lol) I seriously would spent hours watching 6' African women sassing their way down 125th street and they were BLACK AS NIGHT. Granted, even with the African American and African population in the US, I just had not been that close to it. I've pretty much learned that no matter how attractive you think someone is, it's just rude to gawk. But man, I spent a lot of time with my jaw open on the front steps in Harlem.

Exhibit number 1

This is most people's idea of a black model

Exhibit number 2

Most people's idea of a "dark skinned" model

Exhibit number 3

The only way that you'll EVER see a real dark skinned black woman portrayed in the media. Shaved head, and with a completely non-western fashion style aside from the clothes. This is a popular look in a lot of regions of East Africa, but NOT in Europe and the U.S. Why is that?

Exhibit number 4

The closest I've ever seen to a Dark skinned woman, glorified as being beautiful in a western mainstream culture. She's actually not that dark if you see other pictures of her, but it is a VERY rare occasion when light is manipulated to make women look darker.

And now for the second rant.

Aishwary Rai, probably the most legendary model, actress ever from the nation of India. Only slightly darker than me. Why are there people in India with such light features? Some have always been there, a lot are the results of women being raped by British soldiers. (They brought a flag.)

The darkest you'll EVER see an Indian model/actress.

And now for what you'll never see in the media

This is a housewife on the beach, but you'll never see someone this dark in Bollywood. In fact here's the only other time you really see dark skinned Indian women

these women happen to be untouchables, the lowest caste of society in India.

A few months ago walking out of Hollywood Market I saw a tall Indian woman who was obviously South Indian, and it's the first time in a while that I stood dumbfounded gawking at someone out of sheer physical beauty. Of course I didn't say anything because she looked all business-like and I didn't want to scare the hell out of her. The Cashier laughed and said, "You don't see that around here much!" I try not to let anyone see me gawk, but I think that I had just never seen it before. I've found myself to be attracted to womens of every different background I've encountered, but I think some stand put due to their rarity in media and certain regional locations.

So after all of this ranting, and picture smashing, do any of you (being people with a little bit of a taste for dark aesthetics) find dark skinned, and I mean semi-sweet chocolate dark skinned women to be attractive or not? And if not, do you suppose it's because of lack of exposure, or am I just a freak?

And I certainly mean to include everyone in that question knowing very well that there are a goodly number of African Americans on DGN. I'm very interested in your opinions.

one more for contrast

D00d, the dame on the left is rich with hotness

good luck finding any other examples on line. If you do find them point them out to me.

[Msterbeau]

Two words. Value contrast.

[Msterbeau]

Pale skin + dark clothes = hotness

So we need the opposite for it to work for a dark skinned woman:

[jynxxxedangel]

I think ladies of colour are beautiful, especially when they wear their hair natural. Alek Wek is one of my fave supermodels.

[Scary Guy]

I think it has to do with society as a whole. Some take pride in their color and heritage but others want to be like the caucasians because society as a whole caters to them still. This is why people get skin lightening surgeries done and try to act more "white". Which is kind of weird because a lot of black culture (music and slang) has come into the mainstream.

My friend said she was trying not to use slang terms and I replied to that "Here we only speak the King's English" and then we all laughed.

The goth/deathrock scene does it because they're trying to look more "dead".

[Rev.Reverence]

...good topic for thought as to the hows/whys of it all...

...I'll answer the "easy part" here & now...I don't care what shade of skin the Goddess decides to clothe Herself in...If I like the mind...I like the package it comes with...

.....& I'll agree...the darker skinned taller Indian Ladies are "TEH "

[Guest greyhalo]

Cupid needs to find Mean Salley a tall Indian lady.

[Msterbeau]

Cupid needs to find Mean Salley a tall Indian lady.

There was a sexy, tallish black woman at CC on New Years that was into my kilt and bald head. Not my type really... I'll point her out to Mean Salley next time I see her and he's there.

[Rev.Reverence]

Cupid needs to find Mean Salley a tall Indian lady.

...& she needs to have a sister as well!

[TitsMcGee]

If it counts for anything I wish I was a bit darker myself. Being as pale as I am is not good, especially in the summer when I'm expected to work out in the garden...I get color then, and its a nice bright red.

[GothicRavenGoddess (3)]

*sigh*

being from SC, and growing up in a very religious, VERY racist society, I find it difficult to admit when someone of color is attractive. I'm not racist, but getting past the fact that growing up in a place where white girls are deemed trash who find black me attractive is still hard.. Ugh. its shameful, I know. I mean shit, my boyfriend, who's lived here his whole life, has no issue with saying someone is attractive, no matter what their color is. Its a breath of fresh air, and the first couple times he did it, i was in awe. Getting over the crap I was fed, and grew up around having that mess forced down my throat has taken me a long time. I feel, that as long as they carry themselves well, and aren't trashy or nasty (this goes for ANYONE) I don't see an issue with dating someone of color.

10 years ago you wouldn't know I was the same person. I was a sun goddess, so to speak. lol I was so dark. I looked more like my father's biological side of the family than anyone else. after my grandmother got skin cancer, I stayed my ass out of the sun. I haven't gotten a tan in years and the longer I stay out, the paler I get. My legs don't even tan anymore.... sad, because I miss my dark complexion. BUT I love my pale shin. Has nothing to do with what the media has ingrained in me... (though, sadly I think my mother would like me less if I looked more like my dad, like I use to) *sigh*

I do see what mean sally is saying, though. media portrays the white skin complexion as the prettiest, and I'm sorry to say, its just not true. I wish model were darker, or there were more of them.

(i know its not quite what we are talking about... but I don't care what color a woman is.. if she's beautiful, she's beautiful)

and I LOVE this picture:

[n0Mad]

Why are there people in India with such light features? Some have always been there, a lot are the results of women being raped by British soldiers. (They brought a flag.)

Eddie Izzard for the win!

[Nienna]

I LOVE the really dark dark skinned African complexion, especially on men.

[Simon Bar Sinister]

The most beautiful goth chick I ever saw was a very dark-skinned Venezulean girl I met at the Christian Death/Switchblade Symphony show in '96.

[Mean Salley]

(i know its not quite what we are talking about... but I don't care what color a woman is.. if she's beautiful, she's beautiful)

I have to admit, I am partial to the blue ones

[Mean Salley]

Eddie Izzard for the win!

I'm glad someone got that

[Mean Salley]

Cupid needs to find Mean Salley a tall Indian lady.

It doesn't matter. When they find out I'm not a doctor, lawyer, or Bollywood actor, I'll get the Bombay brush-off

[GothicRavenGoddess (3)]

I have to admit, I am partial to the blue ones

OMG... i love elves, and any fantsy take on them (and I don't mean Santa's elves, either... )

I LOVE the Drow, though. they are deliciously evil...

[GothicRavenGoddess (3)]

but OMG...

don't care about the shit i'd get for this, but:

getting back to real humans: (sort of) lol

and then:

and This I think is a beautiful picture:

[Guest greyhalo]

It doesn't matter. When they find out I'm not a doctor, lawyer, or Bollywood actor, I'll get the Bombay brush-off

Just tell them you're a model and a drummer and that you can bake cookies like nobody's business.

[Restless Oblivion]

What an excellent topic. I'm not into ladies in a sexual sense - but some of the most beautiful women I know are of African-Carribean origin. There are two ladies in particular that spring to mind that I work with, and they are so beautiful!! *drools* Wish I could post pics, but they'd kill me if they ever found out lol

I totally agree though that it is mainly down to the media, and it's hard to think of really dark skinned famous women - I can go as far as Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Beyonce, Halle Berry... but none of them are really dark!

Hmmmm

[Restless Oblivion]

Oh and major drools for all the fantasy ladies above

I'd definitely turn lesbian for one of them!

[Msterbeau]

What an excellent topic. I'm not into ladies in a sexual sense - but some of the most beautiful women I know are of African-Carribean origin. There are two ladies in particular that spring to mind that I work with, and they are so beautiful!! *drools* Wish I could post pics, but they'd kill me if they ever found out lol

I totally agree though that it is mainly down to the media, and it's hard to think of really dark skinned famous women - I can go as far as Naomi Campbell, Tyra Banks, Beyonce, Halle Berry... but none of them are really dark!

Hmmmm

You can just PM those photos to those of us who would appreciate them. ;-)

[jynxxxedangel]

I also know a very beautiful DARK BLACK girl I do parties with from time to time, who would ALSO kill me, if I posted pics of her. I've always envied her complexion, as it is flawless, and dark as mahogany. She also has stunning classically-Somalian features.

[Msterbeau]

I also know a very beautiful DARK BLACK girl I do parties with from time to time, who would ALSO kill me, if I posted pics of her. I've always envied her complexion, as it is flawless, and dark as mahogany. She also has stunning classically-Somalian features.

You can PM me those too.