Light Vs. Dark Skinned African Women

In today's rap and hip hop media "Red Bones” are referred to light skinned African American women or the term “Yellow Bones”. But why do rappers refer to light skinned women in their music, and not dark skinned women. Not all rappers only want the light complexion women in their videos but a great amount of rappers do. The stereotype is that light skinned women are believed to have the most respect by men and wanted. African American culture also plays into part that Light and dark skin woman have this competition towards each other to have a negative outlook on each other. And "The stereotype is that light skin girls believe that they are more attractive than their darker Counterparts"("The Battle Between Light And Dark Skinned Women Is Over!").

It is also believed that Light skinned women are the most attractive and receive more attention by men. And stuck up and intimidating then dark skinned women. This is a harsh competition between light and dark skinned women, and prejudice against their own ethnicity. Light and dark skinned women are competing against themselves, whether one came from a light or dark skinned complexion these ignorant stereotypes against these women. These women of color need to realize that they are going against their roots, and culture. African American women should embrace that no matter what skin complexion light or dark they all came from the same ancestry. Dark skinned women should not have to question which skin complexion is "Beautiful" and feel the need to looked down because their not light skinned. It’s disturbing to witness that even in elementary schools dark skinned girls are bullied and teased about their dark skin. In hip hop music videos this is being played out that light skinned women have more on camera time than dark skinned women.

Even though this battle of light vs. dark skin women continues. We could at least come to conclusions that when aren't stereotypes taking over our thought of mind. We continue to believe what we hear; we should make our own judgment and embrace the beauty of colored women whether it is light or dark skin.



By: Karina Aguirre