Black Twitter broke the Internet by letting the world know #HowItFeelsToBeABlackGirl. Here are seven examples:
The Devaluing of Black Women and the Exaltation of White Women
Feeling invisible but your hairstyles, fashion, dances, and culture receive praise when worn by a white woman. #HowItFeelsToBeABlackGirl
– @YsAllen2
11:00 AM – 25 Jun 2015
During the Oscars, Fashion Police host Giuliana Rancic made a comment about actress, singer and dancer Zendaya’s faux locs hairstyle. According to BuzzFeed contributor Rachel Zarrell, Rancic said that Zendaya’s hair looked as if it smelled like patchouli oil and weed. Zarrell stated that “Rancic has praised Kylie Jenner for wearing dreadlocks.” Jenner has received numerous accolades as she continuously appropriates Black women’s culture.
‘You’re So Pretty for a Black Girl’
#howitfeelstobeablackgirl when people don’t realize “you’re so pretty for a black girl” is not a compliment.
– @jackyerayla
10:58 AM – 11 Jul 2015
This phrase has appeared in other ways such as “you’re pretty for a dark-skinned girl.” Huffington Post Black Voices contributor J.N. Salters in the article ” ‘You’re Pretty for a Dark-Skinned Girl’: The Continuing Significance of Skin Tone in ‘the Black Community’ ” explained the issues with this phenomena.
She states:
“I learned at a young age that hatred comes in many shades, even some that resemble your own. Like many dark-skinned women of color, I have sadly grown accustomed to phrases like ‘you’re pretty for a dark-skinned girl,’ rap lyrics exalting ‘red bones,’ and an overall society that privileges light-skinned African Americans — from the media and corporate offices to the criminal justice system and elective office.”
