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Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 1264
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 01:39 pm: | 
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Column: For young black women, stereotypes go beyond waist size
Kayla Charleston
"I need a dime / that's top of the line / cute face / slim waist / with a big behind." If the media's aesthetic and cultural values could be summed up in one sentence, these words from rap artist Mike Jones would be it.
In the Dec. 1 Kernel, columnist Bryan Kennedy wrote about how the "sex sells" attitude affects the self-esteem of young girls in general. But the truth is that young black girls are inundated with images of more than just 6-foot, 115-pound models who epitomize beauty from a European or "white" standard - there is also a standard that black women are subjected to.
The black standard of beauty is apparent in any rap or even R&B music video on the air. These music videos seem to have no qualms about featuring the stereotypical black woman with a "big behind" and a waist small enough to put Barbie to shame. Though these videos have been highly criticized for their misogynistic misrepresentation of black women, among other things, they still manage to further the notion that this is the ideal woman. As a result, men believe women are supposed to look that way, and females wish they did.
Nonetheless, there are more problems than just body image in the media representation of black women. In music videos as well as TV and movies, there is a noticeable trend: The object of affection, the main character or the featured girl will routinely be light-skinned and long-haired.
This aesthetic value is one that was internalized by the black culture back in the days of slavery. Slave women with light skin, long or wavy hair, and European or white features were allowed to work in the house; meanwhile, women with brown or dark skin and features specific to blacks (e.g. wider facial features and kinky hair) were made to work in the fields.
This racial categorization has brought on what is termed as the Lily Complex, defined as the belief that one has to shift, mask or obscure one's physical appearance to conform to the standards of society in order to be thought of as beautiful.
But the standards don't stop there. Because blacks are in the minority and the dominant race in this country is white, black females are subject to be judged by the white standard of beauty as well. There is little representation in the media of minority women in major roles, and the ones that are present have a tendency to be consistent with the white standard of beauty.
Even so, TV and magazines do not have the only role in projecting standards of beauty. Images of picturesque beauty are thrust into the receptive minds of young girls before they even become aware of what body image or self-esteem is.
As a society, our fixation with beauty is also prevalent in such innocent things as the fairy tales we tell to our children. Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Snow White are all examples of beautiful fairy-tale figures that live happily ever after. They are also all white. Sadly, black women are not personified in these fairy tales, and so black girls are not seeing themselves in an optimistic light. Because the "beautiful princess" and "handsome prince" are rarely ever black, impressionable black children may have a hard time associating beauty with the color of their own skin.
So where does all of this leave the girl who fits neither the black standard of beauty nor the white standard? Unless she comes from a strong base and is self-assured, she will undoubtedly fall prey to the wiles of society.
I have been fortunate enough to realize that I possess my own kind of beauty, despite what the media says it should be. My hope for you is that you will do the same.
Kayla Charleston is a journalism freshman. E-mail opinions@kykernel.com |
Tonya
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 3647
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 01:55 pm: |
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Here ya go, Pops!
http://www.infowest.com/business/g/gentle/ginko.html |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 2373
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 02:02 pm: |
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 7015
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 02:04 pm: |
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Tonya,
Not THAT was NOT nice! |
Tonya
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 3648
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 02:07 pm: |
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...LOLOLOLOLOLOL!!! I'm just having a little fun with him.  |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 1269
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 02:29 pm: |
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Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! You just can't help yourself can you Tonya? That article was sent to me by a black female, I read it and I thought I would share it with the readers. That's that. But that's ok, I owe you one -trust me! |
Mzuri
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Mzuri
Post Number: 2374
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 02:32 pm: |
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Tonya
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 3654
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 02:54 pm: |
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But Ntfs! You already posted it! 3 days ago!!
http://www.thumperscorner.com/discus/messages/179/18540.html?1166553763
GET IT??
So no. You don't owe me one. You gotta take that back!
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Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 7018
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 03:00 pm: |
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Ntfs: "But that's ok, I owe you one -trust me!"
What are you going to do to Tonya. Spank her on her beehind with your walking stick?
Hahahahaha!!! |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 1272
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 03:10 pm: |
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"You don't owe me one. You gotta take that back!"
Groan....ok,ok....I have have about 400 articles I am going through and weeding out at this time. I'm experimenting with the new Microsoft Exchange 2007 Beta mail server. I transfered (acutally copied all my old e-mail) to this new mail server I'm testing. I'm pretty excited about it so I just grabbed something and posted it. Yes, your're correct and I didn't realize I had previously posted this. My bad. So, I'll go take some Ginkgo Biloba. Oh God! I know you're never going to let me live this down.....Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
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Tonya
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 3655
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 03:37 pm: |
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"Oh God! I know you're never going to let me live this down.....Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
You know it! ...Adding this thread to "my favorites" right now! LOLOLOL!! |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 1275
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 03:43 pm: |
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Cool. No problem. You've finally got on the scoreboard my dear. But it's still 1-1000 in my favor. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha! |
Tonya
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 3656
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 05:02 pm: |
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"...finally got on the scoreboard my dear . . . . it's still 1-1000 in my favor
Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!"
Gonna have to pass the Biloba ...looks like now I'M the one forgetting things.
I'm sure you have a copy of this "scoreboard" on your Beta server, tho...
...along with the date of your last period. (*LOLOLOLOL*) Lighten up! |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 1281
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 05:34 pm: |
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"...along with the date of your last period. (*LOLOLOLOL*) Lighten up!"
Naw. Not really. But I bet that empty bottle of Risperidone setting on your table is six months past it's refill date. And stop with the "lighten up" stuff. You know I have a great sense of humor. Ha! Ha! Ha! Ha!
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Tonya
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 3657
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 06:08 pm: |
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Uh-uhhhhn. Don't worry about me and mine, Poppy.
You gotta nuff on your plate with that Biloba interacting with the pacemaker.
Consult a doctor first! |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 1284
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Wednesday, December 20, 2006 - 07:33 pm: |
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"You gotta nuff on your plate with that Biloba interacting with the pacemaker. Consult a doctor first!"
Thanks for the tip Tonya but I'm fine. Just got back from the gym. It was a chest and back day. I'm pooped but I gotta get ready for a network meeting at 1800. Two people came up to me while I was working out and asked me about memberships. They thought I was one of the trainers at 24 Hour Fitness (I go there two times and to MCDR for another two sessions per week). I told them I was not a fitness trainer nor was I a competing bodybuilder. But I was flattered. I just work out for health and fitness. That's all. But my cholesterol is fine (165), no high blood pressure, no diabetes, body fat is at 11% and no heart problems. So I'm doing ok. How about you? I know you've voiced some concerns about your curvy hips and bubble booty. I can recommend some things if you want to modify it. Lemme know. Hee! Hee! Hee! Hee!
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Tonya
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 3662
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006 - 06:13 am: |
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"...you've voiced some concerns about your curvy hips and bubble booty."
Sure did. Pull the thread; you'll see I wish I had some.... Infact I'm jealous of the MANY sistas that do.
But alright Poppy. I'mma leave you alone. You'rrrre craaankkky:  |
Ntfs_encryption
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Ntfs_encryption
Post Number: 1287
Registered: 10-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, December 21, 2006 - 02:02 pm: |
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"Sure did. Pull the thread; you'll see I wish I had some.... Infact I'm jealous of the MANY sistas that do."
Don't worry about it. You have a spicy personality. I'm sure your getting a lot of play from the brothers.
"But alright Poppy. I'mma leave you alone. You'rrrre craaankkky:"
Ha! Ha! Ha! Naaawww....I'm cool. We're just razing each other. It's all in good fun.
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