Dear me,
Racial fetishism. Defined, the term ‘Racial fetishism’ involves fetishizing a person or culture belonging to a race or ethnic group that is not one’s own—therefore it involves racial/ ethnic stereotyping and objectifying those bodies who are stereotyped, and at times their cultural practices. In my opinion though I have come to see that in practice it is possible for those within a particular racial group to fetishize different tones within their own race. Do the hashtags TeamYellowBone and TeamDarkSkin ring a bell? In my effort to prove how progressive I have become and how accepting I am of dark models, actresses and Instagrammers have I actually regressed? Am I now in the position where I will only applaud black beauties because they have flawless skin, a ‘perfect figure’ and are able to wear their makeup well? Have I sexualised the idea (as we often do) that in order to be considered as beautiful EVEN THOUGH you are dark you first have to meet certain requirements? I mean if I have to be honest with myself when was the last time (if ever) I have liked a post where a dark lady had problem skin? What about if she were a plus plus size model? This is all pretty ironic because I am not light skinned, I have problem skin and I am plus plus size. Why am I reposting pictures of dark skinned celebrities and overlooking ‘Y’ next door who is just as beautiful? (Surprisingly this is similar to the natural hair movement where certain natural hair is more desirable than other textures within the community. THE PROBLEM IS THAT WHILE THE MEDIA ENCOURAGES US TO PRAISE DARK SKINNED BEAUTY WE HAVE BEEN TOLD WHO WITHIN THOSE RANKS CAN BE CELEBRATED AND WHO CANNOT. So being aware of the fact that I am fetishizing a very specific type of dark women I challenge myself to do better. Love, Me
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hulisaniIntersectional Feminist. Hopeless Romantic. Lover of Life. Archives
January 2017
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