If you haven't already viewed the Dark Girl Preview, stop reading this and watch the short preview below now.
Dark Girls: Preview from Bradinn French on Vimeo.
I just watched this preview with my six month old daughter, who would definitely be classified as a 'light skinned girl'.
Here are four thoughts on this:
1. It makes me sad, as I can certainly relate to some of the women to some degree. I've heard the, "You're pretty cute.... for a dark girl" several times. Ha! This line embarrasses me for the person who says it. It's a backhand compliment from someone who doesn't know any better. I just forgive them and keep it moving.
2. It makes me motivated. Motivated to protect my daugter from this nonsense as much as I possibly can. Though, I'm not naive enough to know that I can protect her from everything stupid people say.
Recent example, "Is she your baby? Why is she a different color from you? You're dark." I was recently asked that question by yet another person who doesn't know any better.
3. It makes wonder and question why, why does this still matter? I've heard a lot of racist stuff my thirty years of life. Some towards me, some not. I've learned how to pick my battles and keep it moving.
4. Finally, this video makes me so very thankful that I come from a family of beautiful and confident women. My mother taught me the importance of having high self-esteem that comes from within, not the type that needs validation from others.
This is a true blessing; one I intend to pass on to my beautiful daughter.
(Thank you mommy, I love you.)
I'm curious to hear your thoughts on the video.
Toodles!
It makes me sad to know that this is an issue. I just finished watching the clip and I am speechless. And I am just sad.
Posted by: Alida | June 08, 2011 at 08:40 AM
Indeed! It's the scene with the little girl pointing to the photos that is most heart-breaking though!
Posted by: Takara in Tokyo | June 08, 2011 at 10:05 AM
I too just shake my head at the clip, it is a very sad issue. Just the other day my daughter and I was out at a water park and a lady said "wow look at that beautiful bi-racial girl", the other lady with her said "she is not bi-racial she is way too black to be that!" The whole time I am thinking does that matter she is still a very beautiful little girl. I too intend on making sure my daughter is very confident in herself and who she is inside and out!
Posted by: swoopesfam | June 09, 2011 at 03:06 AM
I wouldn't be so sure that the people who say such things don't know any better. People love to try and argue with my wife about whose child she is with. My favorite is the time when a group of Hispanic nannies at the park asked her whose child she was taking care of. When my wife said that the child was hers, they were not convinced and all agreed that the baby was Mexican. When my wife came home and told me the story, I told her she should have said to them "how many Mexicans do you know who have a Japanese nanny?
Posted by: Brian | June 09, 2011 at 01:01 PM
Hi Brian,
Thanks for sharing this! I've heard a lot of stories like that.
I still feel though, the people saying stupid comments lack exposure and are normally on the lower end of the socio-economic spectrum. They don't know any better and don't question things to reach their own conclusions.
Posted by: TSwoopes | June 09, 2011 at 08:07 PM
@Swoopesfam
This is classic case of being uneducated and not being exposed to other people. The best thing we can do with our girls is to teach them how to treat others who say stupid things.
Posted by: TSwoopes | June 09, 2011 at 08:08 PM
My heart goes out to the women sharing their experiences in the film. We definitely need to cease with tearing each other down. It's time to move forward.
Posted by: The Letter "B" | June 10, 2011 at 03:27 AM
I am white, really white, my husband is African American/Japanese. The stupidest comment I ever got was from a Japanese Obasan who told me I had left my baby out in the sun too long!
Posted by: Sammy | June 10, 2011 at 03:39 PM
thanks for this sharing..black or white the most important is their behavior..
Posted by: clothes | July 03, 2011 at 04:26 PM
This is so nuts!!!I got the comments myself, but thank goodness I did not develop a low self esteem. Luckily I did not hate myself or really understand the comments. What is bad is that people are carrying this crap into the next generation.
Posted by: Tara Kamiya | July 25, 2011 at 10:54 AM
People love to try and argue with my wife about whose child she is with.
Posted by: penny auction | July 30, 2011 at 05:11 PM
Well done site-very interesting/informative...
Travel Safe- WORLD TRAVEL UPDATES-FOREIGN TRAVEL GUIDE:
http://www.travelaskthelocals.yolasite.com
(Feel free to post on our forum)
Posted by: Dburlison | August 13, 2011 at 03:03 AM
Hey ! ^^
Great blog ^^
Since you seem to be living in Japan I have a question.
Actually I would like to know if you or readers of this blog are interested in writing about the way you have personnally experienced the Northeastern Japan Earthquake (if you haven't but you know people who have experienced the earthquake in Japan, it'd be great if you coud let him/her know about this).
Tokyo Room Finder Short Essay Contest is an online project to gather heart-warming experiences following the earthquake in Japan. We strongly believe that sharing those experiences will give people hope and revitalize Japan.
We also offer 2 tickets for Tokyo Disney Resort to each of the winners.
For more details : http://tokyoroomfinder.blogspot.com/
Posted by: benjamin | September 16, 2011 at 05:46 PM
It is really surprising that even now in 21st century people are making such a stupid comments. However I think that we should stop paying attention to this.
Posted by: holiday rentals london | October 10, 2011 at 08:15 PM
I just stumbled across your blog and this entry definitely caught my eye. I watched the video and am just filled with sadness that as a race we are still dealing with this issue when we really need to unite and move on to things that really need our attention. My heart is saddened for these women who were criticized even one by her own Mother! So sad....
Posted by: Jill | May 23, 2012 at 10:06 AM