Not so black and white

I was interested to see a half-page feature on Bob Marley in yesterday's Royal Gazette, as part of Black History month.

As a reader pointed out to me:

"Bob was no more black than white. He was fathered by a white man at the age of 50 when his mother was 18. Does that make him black or white or both?

A lot of people everywhere forget that there may be a black, white, Portuguese, Indian, Spanish etc. person in their background and only focus on faces. Rarely is this brought up in Bermuda or anywhere else for that matter and it seems sad that people use their ethnic look to their advantage when they want to. Go back and take a peak at your own lineage I say and we may all be surprised."

Comments

[Silencio on 08.02.06 at 09:28]

LOL! What tripe!

White society determined long ago that if there was merely a drop of colour in you, you were not white. I've seen "blacks" who are far more white than they are black, but white society deemed them unacceptable. They were not deemed equal, even though generations might have them at 5% black. You ain't white, and that ain't right.

The history of this is so psychologically disturbing that blacks showed a preference for "blacks" that had white blood in them. Lighter skin and straighter hair is still all the rage. If you go to hollywood you better get rid of that afro and bone shaped nose. And having a butt is only allowed if you are J-Lo. Any light skin person who lived through the 80's/90's would tell you about blacks who put down blacks who had greater African traits.

Do yourself a favour and look up the definition of Mulatto, Octaroon and Quadroon - it's pretty sick stuff. Bob knew his father, but he also knew what hole society placed him in. People of colour didn't make up the rules - whites did. It's not a matter of blacks forgetting that they are mixed, it is a matter of whites reminding us at every opportunity that we aren't white.

[Raptor on 08.02.06 at 09:32]

I think it’s easier today to say, “Oh, Bob Marley was half white.” The fact is, if he’d come to Bermuda not so long ago, he’d not be staying in a big hotel where the white people stayed. Or the restaurants. Or the movie theatres. Etc.

I asked an elderly woman I know about her Native American heritage, and she was very firm in saying, “I am black.” She may have had significant N.A. heritage, but she was treated as black and lived her life as black and struggled professionally (and very successfully) as black.

Lots of people are getting their DNA examined now; it’s the first time large numbers of those descended from slaves might be able to discover their ancestors’ places of origin in Africa. Family Tree DNA is one group that is doing it, and there are others. There are books like “Trace Your Roots with DNA” by Smolenyak. There is currently a four-hour program on public television in the U.S. with Henry Louis Gates, Jr., leading some famous black Americans on a DNA journey to find their roots. There’ve been a lot of surprises thus far.

Human genomes are 99.9% identical, but the remaining 0.1% is telling in terms of origin. These DNA tests are forcing some people to re-think their identities. In recent years the descendants of Thomas Jefferson have had a lot of publicity in this regard. Many of them have now built a whole new idea of family. Let’s get everybody in Bermuda tested and publish all the surprises!

[Full Fullish on 08.02.06 at 09:46]

I find this really funny. If we all stop to realise that probably about 5% of the black and white people out there are truely black and white, the rest of us are actually mix, maybe the whole race issue will die down. But then again it's human nature to look for differences so we'll probably find something else to bitch about....

[Rossini on 08.02.06 at 09:54]

Is this where we get to say how insulting, offensive and ridiculous it is to have Black History Month in Bermuda ?

[Tiger Bay on 08.02.06 at 10:39]

Perhaps it's time to re-tag this blog as "Getting Bermuda Navel Gazing".

Is it black? Is it white? Does it have lint in it?

[Silencio on 08.02.06 at 10:43]

"I think it’s easier today to say, “Oh, Bob Marley was half white.” The fact is, if he’d come to Bermuda not so long ago, he’d not be staying in a big hotel where the white people stayed. Or the restaurants. Or the movie theatres. Etc."

Rap,

I think it certainly is easier to say these days, but there is a tinge of ignorance that ignites. Just go to any store and look at the covers of all the magazines. Even today, people of colour with Eurocentric features are given greater preference than those with more african, indian and asian features. Having less white blood in you today is still seen as a negative. The blacker you are, the more menacing.

We all know that hell will freeze over before we see a member of the Royal Family marry someone of colour. We have no real expectation of seeing a non-white President, Prime Minister or news anchor. Why is that? People of colour are constantly told in many ways that we are less of a person for not being white. We have internalized this to a great degree and developed a level of self-hatred and loathing. Thug music is perhaps the greatest example of blacks embracing negative images of themselves - hell they can now make much money off of this fear!

If you ask me, Bob Marley having a white father is ironic, but it is still irrelevant in the big scheme of things - everyone, including Bob, would call him black then and now.

It would also be a mistake to think that Bermuda is immune to this. How many of you guys remember what that UBP group did to MP Robinson in 1998? He too had white blood in him, but his Afrocentric features and style of dress were used as immediate disqualifiers. Only one person took the fall for that job - Dustin Hind, or something like that. The rest of that UBP group remain anonymous.

The point is that nobody expects to see someone who looks like Marley sitting up at Government House or managing the Finance Portfolio. You can look as far back as you want in your lineage, but it doesn't matter if you do not look 100% white. You simply do not belong.

[ken on 08.02.06 at 10:46]

I agree with silencio...white society deemed anyone that had any black ancestry was 'less than' and therefore considered black. It is the one drop rule.

That being said, you oftentimes are not what you think you are, but what society thinks you are. There are people of mixed parentage who may only look white or only look black, and they are treated as they look, not exactly as they are. Unfortunate, but thats how things are.

Bob Marley, while mixed, is black. He lived as a black man, was treated as a black man, and is representative of the black cause.

[Bandit on 08.02.06 at 10:55]

Silencio, i take your point about the magazine covers but if you look around magazine shops in virtually any African country you will find exactly the opposite to be true. This is because most people over there are black. Similarly if you go to India you will find most faces on magazines to be Indian. Would you like to hazard a guess about China?

The point is that in the USA (where most of bermuda's magazines originate) the majority of the populous is made up of white people, so what do you expect? Bermuda is roughly 70% black. How does the front page of the RG, the Bermudian and the RG magazine hold up? I cannot say I have kept a record of the number of black or white faces on the front, it is not something I would particularly notice but I would guess that if you took the last 100 front covers of Bermudian magazine that most people shown would be black. Have a look and tell me if I am wrong!

[SmokingGun on 08.02.06 at 10:58]

Let’s get everybody in Bermuda tested and publish all the surprises!

Posted by Raptor on 08.02.06 at 09:32

And if I found I had DNA that shared Bob Marley's I'd be the proudest person you could find! I just happen to have bought his Legends music book recently and didn't know he had a white father. I always thought he was one of most incredibly gifted people but now I am even more enchanted by this gift to mankind knowing he must have had to deal with so many things growing up.

[James on 08.02.06 at 11:05]

This post should make us all realize that we not be as purely white or black as we all think we are, but somewhat mixed. Therefore we all share alot more in common than we know. If we can agree that most of us are mixed somewhere down the line then start treating people with respect regardless of their skin color.
I see Bob as a black man but don't think he represented only black people in his work. IMO he was one of the greatest advocates of world peace regardless of skin color. I will never forget the picture of him holding a white politician's and black politician's hands together over his head during the election in Jamaica, as a sign of unity.

[Silencio on 08.02.06 at 11:17]

Bandit,

You have missed the point. I am not merely pointing out the fact that there are more white people on the covers of magazines. That would be all too simplistic of an analysis. What I specifically attempted to point out is that the magazines show that people of colour with eurocentric features are deemed much more attractive than "purebloods". The same hatred that ignored Marley's 50% whiteness is the same hatred that even today shows greater preference for blacks who look like Vanessa Williams than blacks who look like Alfre Woodward. Look at your soap operas - you won't find many blacks who look like Djimon Hansou or even Morgan Freeman for that matter.

I'm fairly certain that the same applies to India when you see Indian celebrities look more like white people than like Indians. Women who look like Aishwarya Rai get contracts with Loreal, while women who look like Sarita Choudhury or Tilotama Shome will rarely if ever get any attention.

[sandgrownan on 08.02.06 at 11:54]

It's a fair point Silencio. What would you like me to do about it?

[silencedogood on 08.02.06 at 11:55]

It is interesting to look back in the family tree and good to recognized that we are all probably mixed. But I don't find it wrong to honor Bob Marley as a black man since that is and was how most would treat him.

My addition to the debate is to propose a Dave Chappelle-style racial draft. The Blacks got Tiger Woods, Asians drafted the entire Wu Tang Clan, and Whites got Colin Powell on the condition we also take Condeleeza Rice. That's round one--in round two we have to get Halle Berry.

C'mon Limey it would be fun. Konichiwah bitches!

[Bandit on 08.02.06 at 11:58]

Whether someone prefers Sarita Choudhury or Aishwarya Rai is an individual choice.

Regardless of colour, whether pure blood or not name me one of those covergirls (or men)who have not had something done cosmetically to boost their profile?

The problem is not eurocentric, it is androgenous because virtually no one in the world naturally has that look.

[2 Gear Cyrus on 08.02.06 at 12:07]

I prefer that tart on CNN weekday mornings - Robin whatserface. Not sure if she's black or white - don't care. I just want her.

[drew on 08.02.06 at 12:14]

I would like to state for the record that the Portuguese and Spanish are white, they are Europeans. They live in a hotter part of Europe and so have a darker compexion. I though being a European yourself you would have known that limey.

[Onion on 08.02.06 at 12:17]

Drew,

The Portuguese and Spanish are not just darker because of the weather. Ever heard of that North African bunch called the Moors?

[Raptor on 08.02.06 at 12:18]

drew, There is a very wide range of skin colour in Spaniards, and I'm sure the same is true of Portuguese. Parts of Spain are Celtic.

[Silencio on 08.02.06 at 12:29]

"It's a fair point Silencio. What would you like me to do about it?"

All I'd like is for blacks and whites to be conscious that some really sick forms of racism still permeates this society in ways that have actually become acceptable, and as a result of not being blind to it, try to live your life in a way that seeks to eliminate what we have been taught to accept. Just try to be conscious is good enough for me.

"Whether someone prefers Sarita Choudhury or Aishwarya Rai is an individual choice ----The problem is not eurocentric, it is androgenous because virtually no one in the world naturally has that look."

LOL - We are not talking about androgeny. Androgeny has little to do with this. Men are still expected to look like men, and women are still expected to look like women. We are still a homophobic society, so androgeny really has no place, no matter how pretty we like our men to be (The only real interest in androgeny I know of exists in Japan).

We simply are no where as enlightened as you propose, but merely products of a doctrine that has had a lasting impact. Blonde hair, blue eyes, perky boobs, no butt - I want to look like Claudia Schiffer and Jude Law. You don't see these celebs asking for a Morgan Freeeman nose, Angela Basset braids, Ming Na Wen's eyes or Sharita Chowdry's ass. But you do see black women wearing blonde wigs. You do see Michael Jackson doing everything possible to remove his afrocentric features. Pure coincidence, or just maybe we got the lesson that it is better to be white?

[2 Gear Cyrus on 08.02.06 at 12:30]

I think everyone is just way too obsessed with race. Face it Janet Reno is ugly Halle Berry is a babe. Charleze Theron (white) is lovely, Whoopy is ugly as sin.

[drew on 08.02.06 at 12:38]

The kingdoms that made up Spain in the middle ages, Aragon, Castille and Navarre, along with the then Duchy of Portugal, (colonized by Burgudian French in the 11th century) were all strongly catholic anti-muslim. I'm not saying there was no inter-marriage, but the Christians and Moors were intense enemies, and didn't asscociate with each other that much. Oh yeah and Raptor the Celts were white Europeans. I'm not writing this to be racist, but to set the truth down. The Moors were a great people and without them the west would have lost many works from antiquity from philosophy and medicine. But don't generalize by just saying, "Hey Buddy ever heard of the Moors", and assume that the entire population of Spain is mixed race.

[Silencio on 08.02.06 at 12:40]

LOL Cyrus, but I guarantee you that the entire babe list looks more like Theron than like Woopie. Have you seen Berry's pre-surgery photos? I bet there are many people who didn't think she was a babe when she had that bone nose.

[Silencio on 08.02.06 at 12:42]

I dunno Drew. I doubt your average Londoner would brown up like Antonio Bandaras had he spent 50 years in Madrid. :-)

[Raptor on 08.02.06 at 12:48]

drew, I know the Celts were white Europeans. That's my point. There are plenty of Spaniards with blond hair and blue eyes, and there are plenty of Spaniards with dark skin and hair.

Whoopie is an attractive intelligent woman, not ugly, not beautiful. Michael Jackson is a tragedy; he was a very attractive boy and young man, now he looks like a ghoul. Whoopie Goldberg is one of the African-Americans on the show I mentioned earlier--finding her roots. So far I've learned she had some real go-getter ancestors--impressive. More to come.

[Silencio on 08.02.06 at 12:55]

Same thing with some Portuguese, Rap. Some of them are really pale and have no place in the sun. But you look at others and think, "Oh yeah, there's a little extra melanin in that one." Annnnd with all due respect, a whole lot of Portuguese girls in BDA have wonderfully, round assess - a trait largely absent in English women. Nothing against a tight caboose, but many Portugese Bermudian girls have really got it going on in that dept - LOL.

[Bandit on 08.02.06 at 12:58]

Men are still expected to look like men, and women are still expected to look like women

So please tell me, what exactly do men look like, and what exactly do women look like?

As I said above, regardless of creed or colour virtually nobody naturally fits the idyll.

I don't look like Jude law and therefore I am unlikely to be appearing in any Hollywood film. You don't hear me complaining about it though.

[Onion on 08.02.06 at 13:07]

Limey says:

"A lot of people everywhere forget that there may be a black, white, Portuguese, Indian, Spanish etc. person in their background and only focus on faces. Rarely is this brought up in Bermuda or anywhere else for that matter and it seems sad that people use their ethnic look to their advantage when they want to. Go back and take a peak at your own lineage I say and we may all be surprised."

Limey,

None of us would be surprised at what would be in our lineage. None of us, black or white, are "pure-breeds". (Well, you might be surprised to know that you may have a lick of the tar brush but speak for yourself.) It started off when European sailors would rape the African slave girls on the ships and continue the practice right through slavery. We've had British soldiers populate our shores for centuries. The US bases were here for decades. As said above, the terms "black" and "white" did not come from Africa. They were labels given to us by Europeans irrespective of the English or Scottish or Portuguese great grandparent that most "black" Bermudians have. It is not something we have "conveniently" labelled ourselves with as you insinuate above. Indeed, somehow our European lineage wasn't quite enough to get us over segregation. It certainly didn't work for Bob growing up in colonial Jamaica. It certainly didn't work in Bermuda.

I am not in favour of "black history month". I am not a minority. But that aside, I think it is a bit rich of you to imply that blacks are conveniently claiming Bob Marley out of some "mixed breed" gene pool and converting him to "black" to suit their purposes. It also shows you still have a ways to go understand the history and diverse geneology of, not just the country, but the region you now live in.

Limey says:

"it seems sad that people use their ethnic look to their advantage when they want to."

Limey, I am not sure what you are trying to say here, but tell us what advantage has been derived from being black over the last 400 years. If there is any group of people that cannot switch in and out it is black people. I have seen some of my Bermudian Portuguese brothers and sisters try to hide their Latin heritage in certain circles so as to "get ahead" or attain some recognition and I have seen some of my anglo white Bermudian brothers and sisters try to even talk with an American or English accent to "get ahead" and then switch back to being Bermudian when it suited them. Blacks will try all these things as well but the skin colour always will give them away.

[Raptor on 08.02.06 at 13:08]

Bandit, Those "ideals" are elusive indeed. All these Hollywood women who go in for major plastic surgery end up looking like one another, rather than someone special.

You don't have to look like Jude Law to be in a film, not that it doesn't help!

I love diversity.

[Silencio on 08.02.06 at 13:10]

I'm not following you, Bandit. You said it was more about androgeny than trying to look Eurocentric. You haven't proposed anything to support that idea.

I don't complain about looking like Jude Law either, but I know that if I was equally talented I am guaranteed greater success if I have his Eurocentric traits. Sydney Potier for all his talents would have been constrained by his appearance in the 60's/70's for the same reasons that Denzel Washington is. Both are vastly superior actors to Jude Law, Brad Pitt but we know for sure that Denzel would not be seen in a love story with the likes of Julia Roberts or Angelina Jolie. Let's not kid ourselves over this one.

[Raptor on 08.02.06 at 13:16]

Sydney Poitier and Denzel Washington are such incredibly better actors than Jude Law and Brad Pitt. Brad Pitt is embarrassing to watch. I agree with what Silencio says about D.W. not being in a love story with top actresses now, but that is changing and will happen, if not with him, with another African-American. There is a movie coming out soon--a love story with an African-American woman and a white American man. Don't remember the name right now.... It does not star highly recognized talent.

[Bandit on 08.02.06 at 13:32]

Err, Silencio, Denzel Washington and Jude Law would find it equally difficult to break into the Bollywood scene because neither of them fit the profile. Does that make the profile wrong?

[Phil on 08.02.06 at 13:50]

Onion/drew

I did not make those comments. I was quoting an email sent to me by a reader. I apologise for not making that clearer in my post.

[silencedogood on 08.02.06 at 13:57]

I don't look like Jude law and therefore I am unlikely to be appearing in any Hollywood film. You don't hear me complaining about it though.
Posted by Bandit on 08.02.06 at 12:58

Two words: Paul Giamatti. Things are changing bandit--Until him the only way an ugly man could get into the movies was to have a superlong penis(ron jeremy) or a brother who was ron howard. ;)

There is a movie coming out soon--a love story with an African-American woman and a white American man. Don't remember the name right now.... It does not star highly recognized talent.
Posted by Raptor on 08.02.06 at 13:16

It was called "Guess Who". The limited talent* was supplied by Ashton Krutcher.

*"talent" is used extremely loosely.

Brad Pitt used to be a good actor. let's not forget a river runs through it or fight club. He quit working hard when celebrity kicked in and he didn't have to anymore. Denzel has slipped too. Out of Time sucked and was far more painful than Mr. and Mrs. Smith. But I give Denzel everlasting kudos for Glory.

[Raptor on 08.02.06 at 14:03]

Silencedogood: The movie is called “Something New” and stars Sanaa Lathan, Simon Baker, Mike Epps, Donald Faison, Blair Underwood, Wendy Raquel Robinson, Golden Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, and Alfre Woodard.

Check out the reviews at www.metacritic.com.

[Onion on 08.02.06 at 14:09]

Limey, I take it back about saying you have much to learn about the region.

[thisgrassman on 08.02.06 at 14:21]

Two words: Paul Giamatti. Things are changing bandit--Until him the only way an ugly man could get into the movies was to have a superlong penis(ron jeremy) or a brother who was ron howard. ;)

Posted by silencedogood on 08.02.06 at 13:57

once again the suffocating influence of american pop culture is demonstated here

anyone out there heard of Gerard Depardieu? He is no oil painting by the vapid, facile standards of beauty in hollywood but he was/is an undeniable sex symbol.

I now await some sophomoric comment about French cinema

[Shelley on 08.02.06 at 14:23]

How about we view Bob Marley as a great human being, someone who transcends the white/black debate. I think when we ascribe greateness to a particular race or gender we marginalize the fact that we are part of one big family, the human family - and this fosters greater divisiveness. We should celebrate all people who have done great things to benefit humankind.

I want to share another thought on racisim. My mother taught at Berkley in the eighties and strove to ensure that her students had tremendous pride in both their race and academic accomplishments. I never understood or experienced racism, and she mused that I never could because I was white and attended BHS. She gave me a book to read by John Howard Griffin, "Black Like Me". That book truly opened my eyes. I would encourage anyone who hasn't read it to read it. This book later became the inspiration for a psychology experiment that my group conducted in University.

In this experiment I posed as a Jewish student seeking admission into a "Waspish" student organization. Believe me I experienced all the stereotypical reactions and prejudices that you read about. But more important, it really hurt and affected my identity and how I viewed myself afterward. As a stereotypical blue eyed, blond wasp, I couldn't grasp why no one could see the real me. The same experience held true for my light skin "octoroon" friend who tried to get into an African/Caribbean student's association. So I ask how shallow are we as human beings, not to appreciate eachother's diversity.

[ace on 08.02.06 at 14:36]

"I now await some sophomoric comment about French cinema"

Don't know much about French cinema, but I doubt its any good. Afterall Jerry Lewis was their comedic idol for years.

Sophomoric enough for ya? ;-)

[Silencio on 08.02.06 at 14:39]

Bandit,

Back to that androgenous stuff - what were you trying to say? I still don't get it.

Re Bollywood - The most recent Bollywood Film staring Aishwarya Rai had a talentless white man in the lead role. I'd bet my last dollar that an equally-talented black man, particularly one with strong afrocentric features, would have much less of a shot at the role. If you take a look at the Indian caste system and history of colonialism, you'd probably agree. I would be entirely stunned to see someone looking like Djimon Hansou opposite Aishwarya Rai in any movie.

I'll finish this last serious point. If I am ever blessed with children I will impress upon them that they are beautiful with dark skin, wide nose and nappy hair. I will stress that they are no less of a person for not having blonde hair and blue eyes. I will be sure to point out the psychological scars of racism so that they know why women who look like Beyonce get on the cover of Cosmopolitan while their mother never could. They will be proud to be black, no matter how much society seeks to devalue them for their afrocentric traits.

[jake on 08.02.06 at 14:45]

Well done Shelley for pursuing that experiment.

I am not sure what I think of the attempt to "claim" Bob Marley. His music was inclusive in many contexts, but make no mistake - he was very clear about the role of Africans and people of African descent in freeing themselves from "mental slavery".

As we seek to learn more about each other, and cross the many divides between us, try to be patient about how you define the experience of any group of which you are not a part.

All the pontificating aside, to deny that Bob Marley was a black man is just ridiculous. He was also a Jamaican, even though his father was from the UK.

[thisgrassman on 08.02.06 at 14:46]

"I now await some sophomoric comment about French cinema"

Don't know much about French cinema, but I doubt its any good. Afterall Jerry Lewis was their comedic idol for years.

Sophomoric enough for ya? ;-)

Posted by ace on 08.02.06 at 14:36

not bad but i am sure you can do better

[Raptor on 08.02.06 at 14:50]

Another very interesting article today about "interracial dating:"

"New Generation Doesn't Blink at Interracial Relationships," including "Outside the Race Box." Progress is being made....

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-02-07-colorblind_x.htm

[Observer on 08.02.06 at 15:08]

It is well known that in India (with its caste system), the darker skin people are considered lower class. As a matter of fact, not too long ago, Oprah was interviewing a (very light-skinned Indian woman & asked her about the common practice there of skin lightening. Her interviewee more or less shrugged the question off by saying it's not happening as much. Didn't impact her, after all, did it? Perhaps that's why Indian people, no matter how dark-skinned, in no way try or even want to identify themselves with people of African heritage. As silenco mentioned, the psychological job whites have practiced in the past, was not only on blacks of African descent.

Michael Jackson may be a "ghoul", but that's because of his self-hatred. Despite the fact that he grew up in the limelight, with fans of all races, somewhere along the line, he grew to hate his blackness and has practically mutilated himself to get rid of it.

As far as Hollywood is concerned, I must admit I was surprised to see a movie coming out about a mixed race romance where the black person is obviously black. I say that because it is very true that only the actors of black descent, with considerably lighter skin get recognized as being "beautiful". If the industry is hard on women, it is that muchharder for black women. Yes, Halle is beautiful & yes, Beyonce is beautiful, but so is Kelly Rowlands, who's considerably darker, but it's Beyonce who is "honoured" with the label of being the "beautiful" one of the group. There really are many more examples one can provide, but I'm sure I don't need to.

Bermuda, like the U.S. & other countries, still has a long way to go as far as how we accept each other. Even many of our own (black) men, greet their women based on their skin colour. How many times have I been greeted with "hello black", or my daughter (who's father is German) hears "hello yella". It's very insulting, & goes to show that even by our own people of the same racial background, we're being categorized by skin tone.

So before we can "identify" each other as being equals, people of colour first need to shrug off this cloak of self-loathing & really learn to look at each other without making a judgment based first on the how white or black looking we are.

[Silencio on 08.02.06 at 15:11]

"How about we view Bob Marley as a great human being, someone who transcends the white/black debate. I think when we ascribe greateness to a particular race or gender we marginalize the fact that we are part of one big family, the human family - and this fosters greater divisiveness. We should celebrate all people who have done great things to benefit humankind."

Bob Marley does not transcend the white/black debate - he is intrinsic to it. His music only had relevance due to the struggle for equality and the overall experience of blacks in the West. He'd never have reached such success without his rebel music.

To prove the point, Lauren Hill is yet another master of music and culture who has become irrelevant to a music industry that cannot make millions selling her highly conscious music. There is no doubt in my mind that someone as talented as Marley would reap scorn for creating the same songs in 2006. Even his masterful love songs would fall on deaf ears would not get serious airplay.

Like I said in an earlier post, we have learned to accept ignorance, perhaps even love ignorance. We claim to want a society where colour doesn't matter. But, we shun opportunities for greater enlightenment while fully embracing the standards that have formed out of the grossest forms of racism. Let's be honest here - who would deny that western society holds up blue eyed, blonde-haired women as the universal superstandard of beauty?

[SmokingGun on 08.02.06 at 15:17]

Shelley & Jake - I agree with you.

As far as rascism being so ingrained and based on looks alone I would debate that. More often than not it comes down to what works best for those dealing with what they want. Magazines and fashion are notorious for wanting a "look". Most top female models actually have somewhat masculine features. Some will alter their looks to make it big. Part of the deal is that people see beauty in so many different ways and yet they are always most comfortable with people that have a look that they not only find attractive but close to themselves or who they wish to be thought they look like. There's just so much more to it than it just being about race or looks.

As far as a black person becoming a President, Prime Minister or News Anchor has nothing to do with their colour of skin. It comes down to what's in their brain and their heart and their ability to share it with others. Sure a certain "look" might be helpful, but it's not the be all end all. Besides the last time I checked there seemed to be quite a few black President, Prime Ministers and News Anchors.

[SmokingGun on 08.02.06 at 15:27]

"Let's be honest here - who would deny that western society holds up blue eyed, blonde-haired women as the universal superstandard of beauty?"

Posted by Silencio on 08.02.06 at 15:11

Only in the USA where the media pushes it so much.

Having spent a few days in Denmark I can attest that there were a darn sight more blue eyed blondes than is healthy for a regular Joe like me. I got a stiff neck from rubber-necking all day. But the thing is I actually prefer dark haired brown eyed women and was always pleased when they popped up once and a while.

[Raptor on 08.02.06 at 15:28]

Silencio, Blue-eyed and blond is not my standard of beauty. Actually, there are a lot of blue-eyed blonds out there who are not beautiful, maybe not even attractive. But I know what you're saying. There's a lot of it out there.

[Shelley on 08.02.06 at 15:34]

Thanks for the positive feedback Jake!

Silencio, I am trying to understand, could you elaborate on what you mean by the phrase we "shun opportunities for greater enlightenment while fully embracing the standards that have formed out of the grossest forms of racism". I am trying to understand what those opportunities are?

Also, I work abroad as a marketing manager for an automobile manufacturer and we believe strongly in diversity and we reflect this throughout our advertising. I hope you've seen our ads. Zoom Zoom. (Without mentioning names.) We do not perpetuate the blue eyed blonde as the true ideal. Beauty is and does take many colours,shapes and forms.

[Silencio on 08.02.06 at 15:36]

"So before we can "identify" each other as being equals, people of colour first need to shrug off this cloak of self-loathing & really learn to look at each other without making a judgment based first on the how white or black looking we are."

Observor, this is a superb point, but I think it applies to all of us. Like a bunch of freakin' lemmings we have bought into the idea that Beyonce belongs and Kelly doesn't. Blacks and whites need to reach a point where they can identify this as a problem. We cannot go around this problem to a place of equality. So many seem to be trying this ignoring the many attempts that have failed dismally. Figuratively we have to work through it and deal with the issue face to face.

"Besides the last time I checked there seemed to be quite a few black President, Prime Ministers and News Anchors."

Would you mind naming some? Help me out here. The last time I checked America was a place where the dumbest white man on earth had a better chance at being president than a person of color. And England didn't seem thrilled about Diana's relations with a non-white man either.

[Just a Thought on 08.02.06 at 15:39]

"Besides the last time I checked there seemed to be quite a few black President, Prime Ministers and News Anchors."

Would you mind naming some?

....ummmm.....Alex Scott?