Reflection on my own Colour Therapy (Brown)

I think I no longer identify myself as Brown only Grey...As I slip into the grey areas between buildings, slabs of concrete and pavement stones

Overshadowed by the concise definitions of Black and white as the systems in society process me according to their predefined categories of demographic minority profiling 

I no longer feel warm and greeted by people of other shades of brown and I'm not even brown enough in the cold winter turning a light shade of beige possibly even pale yellow

Constantly being reminded that I'm not black enough to be a "real black woman".  I submit myself to the watered down, whiter class of grey tones that somehow feel more "At home in this city

Black Dad/White Dad!

After having a break from blogging for personal reasons and giving myself a while to regroup after a series of personal issues and losses.

I return to the BIO Blog to share with you some of my own observations of what it really means to be a “Browning” or “Brown Girl” or woman, in this modern society.  A society full of stereotypes and superficial methods of profiling us, in this system that seeks to categorize us by how we appear! And not necessarily who we actually are.

I have observed that a person of mixed cultural heritage, being brown and having a Black man as a Father is a completely different experience from being born from a White Father and Black Mother. In terms of class specifically it is obviously more about class than race in this instance. As the cultural and biological mix would be similar, however a white male would be usually automatically in most first world countries considered to be of a higher class than a black male who would be considered at most times to be a minority. In traditional, conventional systems of classification, having a ethnic minority Father will affect the class and effectively the success rate of an infant growing in society considerably. 

As opposed to a child who is born from a minority background Mother with a white male Father. This would be considered to be moving up in the class, or “Breeding” up into the premiere classes. And therefore in terms of race and racism this would be viewed by many as an intelligent action. Still this is based on traditional thoughts and on racist ideology and negative stereotypes. Still if we are honest with ourselves we will acknowledge that racism is still very prevalent and that black people are directly and indirectly encouraged to deny or detach themselves from their cultural heritage in order to move up the class ladder and to achieve more in society. 

It is so much more acceptable for a black woman to have a child within a white family in order to provide a more stable, conventional household. And encourage that child to grow and be nurtured with an ‘entitlement attitude’ that will enable them to be more successful as an outcome. 

These racist, cultural profiling ideologies are all based on our inability to move beyond ideas that are built into our intelligence from a primary level. Where we are taught to be “White is alright” but to be black we had better stay at the back!” The back of the class is often where we begin and where we continue to attempt to break out of, in society for our entire lives. 

Too Black or not Black enough?

Too black (to be white) and not black enough…

It has been debated repeatedly about this issue of colour, racism, the mixed race issues of "Brownins"... and the issue of how big is the nose, or how full the lips and then the colouring of the lips if they are pinkish brown or darker brown and more "black" looking….

Or the "hair factor" which I wrote about in a previous post, on Categories of Browning…

Still other than superficial factors that differentiate what about how society actually treats us. Do we face the same prejudices or is it more?..

Do we also share a historical perspective of being from a heritage of enslavement, abuse and seeking for liberty from these ills. Do we also have experience of being unfairly treated?

Or is this supposition that we have it easier ALWAYS, based only on skin colour, overwriting the truth of our actual experience as people of mixed heritage?

Blackeen is the new Brown?

"Blackeen"

Browning is a thing of the past… the new terminology is "Blackeen" it's more of a regal, queen like term. That has a more black centric feel to it and far less negative associations.

Of course it's quite literal as we mixed race, brown shaded folks do actually have black in us!… we are still treated with as much disdain as our black sisters, by persons of other races. Although often praises maybe given for our golden skin tone. This is only a mask for underneath the super ficial gestures of admiration is the usual prejudices.

Oftentimes we Brown gyals are treated like a trophy, maybe not a wifey but one to pick up and take out to profile with. Someone to make you look good in front of your colleagues or to sport with your friends. Or worse still someone to use to make the wifey, or the ex girlfriend get jealous, so as to provoke a reaction. 

This last issue is often the root cause for many women's deep seated hatred of browning, who is still to blame for leading the man astray. Oftentimes little analysis is given to the real reasons that drive a man to stray. Or that many men perhaps crave to have women of all different types actually. There are many beautiful women in the world of all different shades. Still I find that most times both Black and White women wish to hold the "Blackeen" women responsible for the mens insatiable desires. 

Mostly it seems to be there is jealousy of the golden skin tones, or the pretty hair or subtle curves of the mixed race woman. Upon closer analysis they will discover that there are beautiful women of all races, men are simply spoilt for choice. They can't help themselves most times, resistance is futile.

Racism is a Mental Condition!

 Racism is a Mental illness!

It must be a mental condition, to be a rascist. It makes no sense at all, to hate a person for the colour of their skin. Or if they look different, talk different, smell different, act differently from you.

They eat different foods, wear different clothes have different beliefs or religious practices or other. 

So there are people who are different from you - what is the issue?

If you get angry for everything not being the same, EVERYONE not being the same. If you don't like people being different. It is you not them who has a problem.

And if you cannot accept differences in others if you expect everyone to be the same, this is a serious mental illness. 

Look at animals for reference, all different colours and species. What do they fight over? Food and territory that makes sense... Do we or should we have more or less sense as humans?

Brown toned Band Aid?

 

Sometimes I wonder if things like this are really necessary?

Ok for aesthetic value, if I am wanting to use a plaster on the back of my heel or toes to shield a blister or a scrape, I understand that its more aesthetically pleasing to use one that matches skin tone and can be more easily disguised.

But really what is the real issue of concern that requires our investment? 

Racism still exists in 2021, and this is a serious mental condition, which is yet to be fully diagnosed?

Anyone who feels hatred, disgust, disregard, or dislike even, for another person based solely on their outward appearance, on their looks alone and particularly the colour of their skin and ethnicity. 

This is a serious mental disorder, there is no other way to describe the issue, as it makes no sense to dislike someone for looking differently from yourself. 

Can you imagine a world where everyone looked and even acted exactly the same. 

Now consider what is it that is really important for us to invest our time and resources into?

AND NO I know the answer is not campaigning for the production of another Black skin care product!.. 

All brown people look the same?

Would you believe that with all of our differences, variations of skin tone, hair textures etc. That there are some persons who still think that all black people look the same?..

Or even all brown people look similar or could be mistaken for the same person?...

One of my "pet peeves" is being made to complete ethnic minority monitoring forms. With all of these categories of Mixed Race persons, Black Carib, Black African, White European… I usually just tick Other. If they want to know more, they would have to take the time to interview me or question me personally.

I can't tell you the amount of times I have heard, this girl looked like you?! 

Only to find that there is nothing similar about me and this female other than skin tone!