75. DARK GIRLS

racism.  we generally think of it as black/white.  but what about black women facing the "paper bag test"; if she is darker than a paper bag, that's too dark.  what about a little dark skinned girl of a more fair skinned mother saying, "i don't want to be called black".  what about dark skinned women being called ugly,  tar baby, etc by other blacks?  there is racism within the african american community regarding the level of dark skin.  men in the film state a particular preference for light skinned or dark skinned women.  young adults are reminded not to marry someone darker than them so as to make the race stronger and better by marrying lighter skin.  these women discuss so much pain;  thinking they are less valuable as the skin is darker.  women who don't want to have a dark baby.  and, this isn't just an issue in the united states, but even in predominantly black countries around the world.  skin lightening cream was a 43 million dollar industry in the year the film was made.  dark girls rise!