WAKE UP!!

"Pic-a-ninny, Barbie Doll, High-Yella Heffa, Tar Baby, Wannabe White, Jigaboo...Don't start...We're gonna finish it." - classic dialogue from A Spike Lee Joint called "School Daze"

It's no getting around the fact that Black Americans (I know other cultures have similar dynamics but I'm not talkin' 'bout them right now) have truly deep-rooted issues when it comes to the color spectrum that we are born with. "Whether you're darkie or fair", it evidently shows and it's no way of getting around it. It's something that derives from ancestors, genetics, and all that good stuff that one has no control over or choice in the matter.

Some of us don't even subscribe to the color we actually are in a feeble wish to be of another complexion, and then get upset when others point out your 'true colors'. This goes both ways - from light-skinned individuals claiming not to be with hopes of furthering the lines between them and their slave masters' skintone to dark-skinned individuals who have always rationalized their darker skin as a negative based on societal standards. Stereotypes run rampant about people based on their color of skin and although many whites pre-judge us on a daily basis, there's no denying that we do it ourselves on a daily basis. Fact of the matter is, as a whole, we're pretty much a confused bunch.

Several things have caught my attention in recent weeks that has led me to want to discuss this issue. One is the casting call email that was sent out to many ethnic models about a promo event for Ciroc vodka. It reads as such:

“Ciroc Promotion. Ciroc promo is this Friday, March 27, 2009. Time: 3:00pm - 7:00pm and 12:00am - 3:00am Requirements: Race: White, hispanic or light skinned african american. Height: At least 5′6 or taller. Size 7 or smaller. Thisis a cash @ wrap job and the booking will be thru our partner. Please submit asap. Talent will only be contacted if the client is interested in booking you!!! Compensation: $35.00 per hour.”

When this posting was circulated across the internet, there was a firestorm of people threatening to boycott the liquor company as well as its spokesperson, P.Diddy. The notion that they wanted "exotic"-looking females that were particularly of a lighter hue touched a too familiar spot amongst brown-skinned and dark-skinned models in the industry. Even though the posting was from a third party management company, Diddy and Ciroc promptly put there damage-control tactics into play saying they don't discriminate when it comes to skin complexions. Pre-existing images of ads with darker-skinned models emerged to show there's no bias.

Whatever.

The slightest look into media shows clearly that there IS a bias. Not just in the realm of Hip Hop-themed videos, advertisements, and promotional events, but throughout the ENTIRE realm. But is there anything WRONG with that?

Although, for the most part, media entities aren't doing much to change the climate of things, they are merely adhering to traditional standards of beauty in what "the people" relate to or are responsive to. It's called marketing. Yes, there are entities who are trailblazing paths in changing or giving more balance to the media (little ol' me included), but just like racism and other discriminatory practices, it will NEVER fade away completely. Tough pill to swallow, huh?

If you think about it though, media entities merely have a PREFERENCE. We ALL have them. I don't like women who smoke. She doesn't like short men. He doesn't like 'loud' women. She doesn't like broke dudes. He doesn't like dark-skinned women. She doesn't like light-skinned men. Preferences. Of course even if you have a preference, you may be willing to step outside of that box for a reason or two, but it doesn't take away from the fact that you have preferences.

Unfortunately (or fortunately depending on what end of the spectrum you're on), writers, directors, producers, production companies, artists, marketing directors, casting agencies, corporate sponsors, artists' management, etc. ALL may have an opinion on what 'type' of individual they need for a particular role or part. That's the jist of it. If you fit that criteria, you have a shot. If not, better luck to you at your next audition. That's. Life.

***SIDENOTE: In my thirty-two years on this planet, I've been told dozens of times by Black women of all shades that "I don't like light-skinned guys," "You're too yellow for me," "You're cute...for a light-skinned guy," or "I need a man that's tall, dark, and handsome." Keep in mind that some of these females were my complexion or even lighter. So where does that leave a dude like me who's short, light, and kinda cute? And how did I resolve this? Easy. I keeps it movin'. ENDSIDENOTE***

If I was an actor, let's be real, I would never be cast for roles like Nino Brown, Stringer Bell, or Bishop. What if I really wanna portray the "gangster/hardcore" role? Society (and the media) will find it easier to believe if I was the light-skinned attorney dude played by Christopher Williams in "New Jack City" or Raheem in "Juice". Most Tyler Perry films also adapt to the idea that the dark-skinned guy is the bad guy, light-skinned guy is the good guy. Therefore, I would pretty much be type-casted. By the way, this is the same thing that goes on in music videos, commercials, print ads castings etc.. The dark-skinned guy is always the A-type gangsta. The light-skinned dude? Soft, Punk...these are easily words that describes HIS role.

But guess what? That's how it is in the industry. And moreso, similar thoughts and stereotypes tend to pop into all of our heads (Yes, even YOURS) on a regular basis. If you tell me it doesn't to my face, I'll call you a liar to your face.

The remainding remnants of horrid slavery, Black folks' desire to assimilate and be accepted, and self-hatred is a muthafugga, ain't it? Think about that.

Let it marinate.

With that said, before calling Rev. Al or the NAACP because you didn't get a role or part, understand that some people will recognize your true beauty and others won't. Just keep it moving.

That's Life.