Relationships Archive

Great read..Clutch is a real piece of work. Brilliant writers and complex subjects. I know this topic has come up between me and my friends often.

Here’s an excerpt:

How many times have we heard the term “regular Black girl” used to describe a woman who doesn’t have such traditionally European features as, say, Halle Berry? Why is it that Kelly Rowland is called “regular,” when she’s stunning? And how is it that Beyonce is “exotic,” despite being the African-American child of two African-American parents, with features that aren’t really so uncommon amongst Black people in this country?

And it makes the relationships between women all the more difficult at times, doesn’t it? Once I was made aware of the fact that Ethiopian women were fetishized by a number of African-American brothers (in particular, those who weren’t so excited by Black women who aren’t considered “exotic” or who wouldn’t go for an African sister who had darker skin and kinkier hair), I experienced a period of resentment toward them. It took me some time and some serious thought to realize that a sister is a sister and that I should not hold it against them that there are some men in our community who may value one sort of Black beauty over another one. Do I like it? No. I know that preference doesn’t always have deep roots, but I do know that certain hair textures and facial features (typically, those that are associated with European beauty ideals) get an inordinate amount of props from some of our people.

Full article: http://clutchmagonline.com/lifeculture/feature/exotic-beauties-vs-regular-black-girls/