color complex
The idea of blackness is not a simple experience to discuss. Blackness is not just the literal, visual complexion. It is also how blacks are socially and economically identified. One’s blackness is almost always identified with one’s skin complexion. Within the black community a hierarchy exists that is based upon skin complexion. Those at the top have light skin and features resembling whites’ features. Those on the lower strata are darker with more African features. According to The Color Complex by Kathy Russell, Midge Wilson and Ronald Hall, this phenomenon begins with the arrival of the first blacks to the United States at Jamestown in 1619. The phenomenon does not become significant until after the Civil War when the black population is freed from slavery (Russell et al., p. 24). During slavery mulattos were given a certain amount of freedom. Many of them were actually free and proprietors of businesses. They fared better than the darker skinned emancipated s!laves because of their light skin and ability to often pass for white (Russell et al., p. 24-26). After the Civil War, groups of mulattos formed social societies, churches and universities that limited membership to light skinned blacks in order to mainta
. . .
Some common words found in the essay are:
Matthew Fisher, Helen Givens, Dessa Rose, Disher Max, Miz Rufel, Americans Magazines, Civil War, Louisiana Texeira, Anne Williams, African American, et al, russell et al, russell et, color complex, light skin, light skinned, skinned blacks, african americans, dessa rose, african american, darker skinned, et al 29, sherley anne williams, cinnamon honey-brown dream, slavery russell et,
Approximate Word count = 2559
Approximate Pages = 10 (250 words per page double spaced)
|
 |
