A black girl’s dilemma in America
Selena JP, Empowering Youth Towards Excellence (EYTE) Program, Elizabeth, NJ There is a great irony regarding my 6 words story- from both society and ourselves....
You’re pretty for a black girl.
Deja, Moreno Valley, CA. This statement literally kills me . “Pretty for a black girl” I didn’t know “pretty” depended on your skill color ....
“She’s so pretty for being Black”
Morgan Cooper, Stockton, CA. In 2007, when my ex husband and I were expecting our baby girl, we jokingly called her “Blackanese”, a term I...
You’re cute for a black girl
Leah Thomas Florissant, MO I grew up in Saint Louis, MO and I moved to a mainly white private school in the 5th grade. I...
“You’re pretty for a black girl”
Autumn Rainey, Indianapolis, IN. I remember growing up in a mostly Caucasian area, and I was told this often. What was likely meant as a...
Not just for being a black girl.
Anisha (Blair) Taylor, Riverside, CA. “Your beautiful. For a black girl.” . Those words spilled out the mouth of a young black male, in my...
“You’re pretty for a dark skin girl.”
Shanyla, Beachwood, Ohio. I hear these words way too often and I always get more and more offended each time. What am I supposed to...
You’re pretty…for a dark-skinned girl!
Vernae Williams, Sacramento, CA. I grew up in a family full of light skinned people. I always felt like an outsider because within the Black...
You’re a pretty smart black guy!
Tac Mohamed, Miami, FL. I’ve heard it from friends, co-workers and many in between. Other variations include: You’re pretty smart for a black man. Is...
“No offense, but you’re so pretty!”
K.E. Broadnax, Cleveland, OH. This was said to me while attending college. I am black, and went to a predominantly white, upper-class university (as many...
You’re pretty for a Black girl.
Maya Segirah, Los Angeles, CA. As if the qualifier, somehow, makes me different from the rest, which are by implication inferior, and therefore I’m better?...
“You’re pretty for a black girl”
Alexis, Minooka, IL. I hate when not just other races say this about black girls, but African Americans alone say this to individuals. I think...
You’re pretty for a DARK SKIN GIRL
Alexandria James-Hayes, Rancho Cucamonga, CA. I have lived in the suburbs my whole life and I grew up around mostly white people. My parents are...
You’re pretty for a black girl
Gloria Collins, Shreveport, LA. Every ethnic group has beauty. No race has more beauty over other races.
You’re Pretty, For a BLACK girl.
Courtney, Moore, OK. I am told this quite offten and it makes my heart ache, not because I let it bother me personally, beause I...
