(ThyBlackMan.com) A few months ago the documentary “Dark Girls” was aired on The Own Network. From a journalistic point of view this may be old news, but it really isn’t since the subject matter of “Dark Girls” has been a hot topic for years.
It somehow amazes me that in 2013 the subject of color complexion is still a major source of discomfort to some folks. Now I am not shocked or naïve to the fact that race is still a factor in many situations. However, to know this is still an issue within the African American community saddens me.
The documentary “Dark Girls” delves deeply into the attitudes and prejudices involving skin color outside and within the African American community. This film is also poignant because we hear the recorded accounts of women that have personally experienced being treated negatively simply because of the color of their skin. Dark Girls (—–
The light skinned vs. dark skinned issue has been a heavy one within our community for years. How about hundreds of years to be exact. As I read the numerous articles and comments on “Dark Girls” one thing came to mind, the Infamous Willie Lynch Letter. The name and idea of Willie Lynch continued to pop up in my head.
Some of you may be familiar with Willie Lynch and some of you may not. The British slave owner Willie Lynch delivered a speech in 1712. This was not an ordinary speech, but one that taught methods on keeping slaves under control. Even though his speech is over three hundred years old I believe that it still holds ramifications that effect blacks to this day.
One of the methods mentioned in The Willie Lynch Letter instructs pitting the darker skinned black against the lighter one. Lynch states within the letter that blacks will continue to perpetrate these actions, by self-refueling and self-generating this thought of self-hatred for hundreds of years.
After reading the Willie Lynch Letter I realized that we are still doing just those things. We still sling hateful remarks at one another with no concern on how a person may feel. It appears that Willie Lynch’s letter still has some effect on us today and in some cases seems to be a cycle.
So many times blalantly or subtle we are continuously reminded us that light is right. The house slave vs. the field slave and the paper bag test held by black Greek organizations. Even family members have been known to constantly point out that lighter girls are prettier than the darker ones.
This type of thinking was and in some cases still the norm. In the past and even today some mothers are still telling their sons to marry only light skinned women, so as not to have dark babies. This is sad to me and disheartening.
Here is just an excerpt that has been edited to emphasize points and statements in my opinion that are strongly connected to Dark Girls and the experiences and attitudes of the black race.
I have a full proof method for controlling our black slaves. I guarantee every one of you that, if installed correctly, it will control the slaves for at least 300 hundred years. My method is simple. Any member of your family or your overseer can use it. I have outlined a number of differences among the slaves.
The Willie Lynch Letter
The Black slaves after receiving this indoctrination shall carry on and will become self-refueling and self-generating for hundreds of years, maybe thousands.
You must use the dark skin slaves vs. the light skin slaves, and the light skin slaves vs. the dark skin slaves.
I strongly suggest that you read The Willie Lynch Letter in its entirety.
Some have said that The Willie Lynch Letter is a hoax. Well be it hoax or not it seems to have worked and I believe that there is a connection between the Willie Lynch speech and attitudes on being a dark skinned man or woman.
Since shackled, hauled across the oceans and forced into enslavement the black race in America have been stripped physically, mentally and spiritually, with their self-esteem along with it.
It is understandable to have a preference of what type of man or woman you are attracted to, but when others feel the need to destroy one’s self-esteem that takes it to a whole different level.
We must embrace all of our beautiful sisters and take hold of all of the hues within our special rainbow and while we’re at it let’s burn the Willie Lynch mentality and the self-hatred along with it.