Skin tone || The Doll Test.

[Still capture from "Doll Test" video]. 

Here we are grown adults, complaining about racism and colorism, but who taught you to hate yourself? Who told you that being black is something to be ashamed of? Who played the bigger role? Society or the people that raised you?

When asked which Doll is the prettiest, this innocent African American pre-schooler replied "The white one". This same answer was given when she was asked to choose which one is the smartest. When non-black kids where questioned, negativity was pointed to the black doll as well. Regardless of the amount of times I've watched this clip, it saddens me to see that these innocent children are associating negativity to the black doll.

These kids, barely exposed to the world are already telling you, that they prefer the lighter doll, the white one. At such a young age, the idolization of whiter skin begins and self hatred starts to become reality. We have been programmed to hate our skin color. Now some of you are thinking "but I don't hate myself", but I can tell you right now, at some point in your life, you have or will wish that you just had a little more "whiteness" to your skin tone. Some people will choose to act on this, and find ways to lighten up their complexion, while others will simply move on an accept the skin they are in.

Those who actively seek ways to have a lighter complexion, are essentially making it harder for themselves. Once you start changing your complexion, you ultimately giving lighter skin people the upper-hand. You are paving a path for them to walk on you. Wanting to adopt their complexion instantly puts them in a superior position; so how can you blame them for thinking they are better than you?

Black people as a whole need to work twice as hard to make it in a society that is pre-dominantly ruled by Caucasians. Instead of blaming slavery and the famous paper bag test for the negativity towards Blacks, it's about time you change yourself. It's time that you embrace your ethnicity and love yourself. If we continually submit to the negative stereotypes of Black's in society, we will never advance. Change starts within yourself.  There more you wait around for somebody to accept you, the harder it becomes for you to become comfortable in your own skin.

-Chai.

Our History. Our Beauty. One People. TDC