Friday, September 2, 2011

Light skin/Red Bone: A Skin Preference? What?!?!

::Types in redbone in google search-images:: Hmm, all I see is pictures of dogs...Okay, so I was on Twitter (Like any other day) & some guy (Black male) tweeted that he loves light skins & @replied to the chick who happened to be what he thought was "light skin". 

My definition of someone light skin is an African American or someone mixed with AA who skin is light (I don't want to go back & forth on what the def. of a light skin person is because that's not the purpose of this post). Well, I've noticed that black males are calling those who are fair skin (Caucasians, Asians, non-AA women) light skin. But my observation comes from males from Oklahoma. Hmmmm. I've also noticed they mostly deal with chicks who are everything under the sun except black females.
Okay...going back to the title "preference". I get that. We all have a preference. But me being ME I'm not going to say I don't date black men all together for whatever reason (And I'm AA). But then again that's me. Okay, back on topic Ashley!!!


So like I mentioned, they have given other females who aren't AA/mixed with AA the title as being light skin and they (Caucasians, Asians, non-AA women) have literally RUN with it. So they are now #TeamLightSkin 0_o what?!! 
Next...Red bone...What exactly is a red bone? This name has came from the South I believe. I googled the word & from the photo I've taken on my phone you'll the "Definition" & how it came about. I mean just about ALL of the southern rappers say "A bad red bone"...red bone this, red bone that.
My assumption is someone that has a lighter skin complexion right? But WHO exactly (Race wise) would be considered a red bone? Again, I'm assuming the same for the whole "light skin" issue for this as well.


This all seems like pure ignorance right? Yea I know. I had to touch base on this because it's been bothering me. I know I couldn't have had this discussion on Twitter. Especially with the individuals who I've saw tweet this. 


It always seems like every time I have a intelligent debate, disagreement with a male on Twitter (Black males) they get mad & want to call someone out their name. I say grow some balls HOMEBOY!!!


I think I'm seriously going to ask these guys a few questions & report back with my findings. It's so disturbing how the rap industry will pull GROWN folks into this pure ignorance. The obvious isn't so obvious for everyone.
Am, I tripping? Am I the only one that sees something wrong with this? 
1st photo from: chimovement.com
2nd photo from: 24hourhiphop.com 

8 comments:

  1. the whole light skin/red bone and dark skin preference don't sit right with me and people are real ignorant when it comes to that. so i don't express my opinion on that but you have a good point ash very good point

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  2. -____________- the light skin dark skin thing. -blank stare-. It's too much.

    I understand we all have preferences, but to create 'teams' just is a little iffy for me. It's sad that after years of fighting for equality and breaking the "barriers" we still manage to CREATE our own barriers.

    We've gained the acceptance, for the most part, from the whites, and turned on ourselves. And it's such a shame.

    You're not alone Ash, I feel you.

    Kimberly, FWB

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  3. @Kiki thanks!
    @Kimberly I really don't understand OUR people we create subgroups within a community that divide us in a very negative way. We can never just be happy with what is, but focus on the differences...Smh

    Thanks ladies. I really thought I was alone on this one.

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  4. The whole light-skin/dark-skin debate seems like it spawned from our community's self-hate issues. I don't know why we make such a big deal about it, but I wish the whole preferring an individual because of his/her skin tone would stop. What I think is most appalling is that the black males are the ones pedaling this crap.

    What do we do to change this? What kinds of conversations need to be had in our community about this?

    Great post, Ash! Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us :)

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  5. Yes. It most def. did come from us. I think we need to start with self love workshops, knowing OUR history. It just breaks my heart that this is what OUR future will be like.

    Thanks Dre!

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  6. I am so glad you brought this up because I have been called "Redbone" and "High Yaller" by black men who in some cases thought they were "complimenting" me. I felt objectified. Now reading the definition of a red bone it does actually describe who I am like it or not. But that is only a very small part and if it gets yelled out that is the only part they will get to see.....

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    Replies
    1. Thank you for checking out this post. I'm glad others could see where I was going with this. It's still not pleasing nor something we should accept. It's what society is trying to get us to give in to. We have names :) and our skin color doesn't validate anything.

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  7. I am so glad you brought this up because I have been called "Redbone" and "High Yaller" by black men who in some cases thought they were "complimenting" me. I felt objectified. Now reading the definition of a red bone it does actually describe who I am like it or not. But that is only a very small part and if it gets yelled out that is the only part they will get to see.....

    ReplyDelete

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