The Study of Racialism

Andrew Waters · Posted: Thu 28 Jun 2007 03:15 Post subject:

I don't know what shade Mary is because I've never seen her other than the pictures posted here.

I will say this. The picture posted above on page (2) showing her with the shades and cap on can't be reconciled with Gemini's picture ''in her natural state'' on page one (1) simply because Salsassin's latest picture is obviously taken with a strobe (electronic flash) and the ''natural state'' picture has been taken with diffuse lighting. If I had to pick I would say the natural state would approximate her complection more than the above picture which has too much added light. Check out the left paneling in the background; also look at the flash reflection on her lips to get an idea how much light has been added. On the other hand the absence of light, obviously will darken a subject somewhat. That said, after looking at the other photos, even the one that Salsassin says ''makeup on her legs,'' the pictures still can't be used as a final determinant of skin complection because some photographers will use some enhancement, whatever this is I don't know, to hide blemishes on a model in some professional settings. Couple that with the fact the studio lights can cause a small amount of perspiration on a model then one can see the need to ''dress it up'' a bit.

Now I don't know that all photographers do this make-up routine in a professional setting but according to some magazines I've read over the years some do. Another thing, the next time you see darker skinned Americans (Black) in a television interview (not the sudden type you see in the neighborhood) look at them closely to get an idea. Sometimes it's poorly done* with too much and others it is artfully applied. I see this makeup on women and men on local television news all the time.

As for the White women I'm sure it's done for them too but how much I can't tell. I say this because this one Black newscaster actually had a faint line around his face. It was as if he put the makeup on himself and was looking into a mirror but didn't blend it all the way to his ears.

*A former Black detective from DC (I think) was being interviewed on Fox news one evening a few months back and his makeup was very poorly applied. It gave his appearance a ghostly look.

MP mulattoprince · Wizard Joined: 10 Apr 2007 {Posts: 464 }

@ Gemini

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

Salsassin · SuperWizard Joined: 04 Apr 2005 {Posts: 3515 }

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

gemini072 · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 2942 }

mixedmom · Moderator Joined: 27 Nov 2004 {Posts: 782 }

By the mid 90's I was no longer interested in Essence magazine. I don't fault the magazine editor, I she makes a good effort to represent the diversity within the (national) African-American community. I found the responses to Ms. Erasme's cover shot to be enlightning.

Salsassin · SuperWizard Joined: 04 Apr 2005 {Posts: 3515 }

pianoplayer111 · Wizard Joined: 16 May 2007 {Posts: 429 }

I'm with gemini, Mixedmom, Maya, and Liana.

Most AA's I know tend to be either medium (what you call "caramel"), dark, and very dark...with a few exceptions toward the lighter side of the spectrum. To some people Mary J. Blige might be light-skinned. It depends on who is looking and what their perceptions might be. I know people of her color who see themselves as being light-skinned. I definitely DON'T see them or her that way. I see her as a dark-skinned woman, full stop.

I've had one or two black people describe me as "red" or "redbone" or "yellow"...none of which are true descriptions of my color or how I look. I'm very pale with visible blue veins beneath my skin. Most black people would probably say that a "red/yellow" person is one with light brown to golden or honey-colored skin that has warm reddish undertones.

Marguerite Erasme is very pretty and she has gorgeous blue eyes. They're the same shade of electric blue as mine. Beautiful! People have assumed that my eyes are contacts too because of how bright blue they are. I believe hers are naturally blue. I'm with gemini...she has sharp features and blue eyes, but she has deep caramel skin. When I hear black women saying that they never see people who look like them being represented in the beauty industry, I'm puzzled. I've seen many dark-skinned women on the covers of Essence and Ebony (not that I read those magazines), and they were all beautiful. Lauryn Hill, anyone? She is a knockout! Kerry Washington is dark too, IMO, and she is exquisite.

I like the editor's reply to the complaints. I don't know if Marguerite is biracial, but there is no reason that all shades of beauty shouldn't be shown. It sounds quite frankly like the women who complained were jealous...not only because they felt like they couldn't identify with her, but because they possibly wish they looked like that. She is supposedly close to the "ideal", isn't she?

*off to google more about her*

Phil345 · Wizard Joined: 03 Oct 2005 {Posts: 524 }

Beauty · Experienced User Joined: 02 Jun 2007 {Posts: 102 }

I don't think Mary Jane Blige is light or dark. I think her skin tone is in the normal skin range for black people.

Salsassin · SuperWizard Joined: 04 Apr 2005 {Posts: 3515 }

Phil345 · Wizard Joined: 03 Oct 2005 {Posts: 524 }

fwsweet · Posted: Sat 30 Jun 2007 21:24 Post subject: