Celebrity Gossip Never Looked So Good ®
YBF on Twitter YBF on Facebook YBF on Instagram Feed

PREVIEW: Oprah's OWN Premieres "Dark Girls" Documentary About Racism, Classism, & Lack Of Self-Esteem Experienced By Dark Skinned Women

​ ​ ​ ​

 photo ScreenShot2013-06-14at25950PM_zps7e644303.png

OWN has taken up the "Dark Girls" documentary to air on the network next Sunday.  Check out the preview of the must-see tv premiere of the documentary that may finally change the conversation about the hardships of dark skinned women across the globe.

The OWN network is gearing up to premiere Dark Girls.  Here's the synopsis:

Dark Girls is a fascinating and controversial documentary film that goes underneath the surface to explore the prejudices that dark-skinned women face throughout the world. It explores the roots of classism, racism and the lack of self-esteem within a segment of cultures that span from America to the most remote corners of the globe. Women share their personal stories, touching on deeply ingrained beliefs and attitudes of society, while allowing generations to heal as they learn to love themselves for who they are.

 

In the above preview, we see a little girl talking about how she doesn't like to be called "black" and how she gets treated differently by her friends and classmates. And then we see the heartbreak of her mother who has to witness her child feeling less-than.  Heartbreaking, but a definite must-see as this is indeed a common scenario for many dark skinned women.

The documentary airs Sunday, June 23rd on OWN.  Will you be watching?

​ ​ ​ ​
​ ​ ​
​ ​

Comments

WANT YOUR OWN AVATAR? GET IT HERE.

Watched the doc last night on

Watched the doc last night on OWN- Love being a Dark Girl- Now- wasn't always that way. this may seem strange, but what struck me AS Strange- is one of the commercials that aired during the show- It was for a facial cream that is supposed to correct everything, and blend in with your own complexion- All but 1 of the models was fair complexioned, or white. One beautiful DARK Complexioned Sister-appeared for a very, very brief moment. Skin care products- that indicate they blend with your skin tone... 10x out 10, are not for Dark girls, and to air that commercial during the show, just makes me want to say REALLY…. COME ON NOW, Just 1 more thing that does not include us.
bsbowen's picture

Watched the doc last night on

Watched the doc last night on OWN- Love being a Dark Girl- Now- wasn't always that way. this may seem strange, but what struck me AS Strange- is one of the commercials that aired during the show- It was for a facial cream that is supposed to correct everything, and blend in with your own complexion- All but 1 of the models was fair complexioned, or white. One beautiful DARK Complexioned Sister-appeared for a very, very brief moment. Skin care products- that indicate they blend with your skin tone... 10x out 10, are not for Dark girls, and to air that commercial during the show, just makes me want to say REALLY…. COME ON NOW, Just 1 more thing that does not include us.
bsbowen's picture

I am confused, is this YBF or

I am confused, is this YBF or CNN? If you have a tirade, WRONG FORUM! I know those of you who are making racist comments are doing it just to be the "devils advocate" or get a rise from people. Fail! Most people shake their head at your comment and know your life is a small box of stupidity. And chances are you don't make public policy decisions or affect positive change, so we are safe from your evil.
blisslife's picture

We love the Chaos.....Jesus &

We love the Chaos.....Jesus & Friends win
Jesus H. Christ's picture

The filthy, greedy Jews don't

The filthy, greedy Jews don't use the Holocaust as an excuse for ANY failures TODAY!!!!!!!!!!
Jesus H. Christ's picture

thats great for them but

thats great for them but please stop deflecting nigger.
BEEMA SUX DIX's picture

Jesus is mixed....and was

Jesus is mixed....and was responding to "Mike b"...ya Honky <----------
Jesus H. Christ's picture

UMMM TO ALL THE

UMMM TO ALL THE IGNORANT/UNEDUCATED BLACK PPL ON HERE AFRICANS STARTED SLAVERY. YES AFRICANS AND WHEN EUROPE TRIED TO ABOLISH IT IN THE LATE 1600'S TO EARLY 1800'S AFRICANS PROTESTED IT YES AFRICANS PROTESTED IT!! SO ACTUALLY AFRICANS HAVE HAD SELF HATE AND BLACK ON BLACK CRIME B4 WHITE PPL MASTERED IT, SO POINT OF THE DAY: TAKE RESPONSIBILTY FOR YA'LL OWN SHIT AND STOP BLAMING OTHER RACES BC REALLY YA'LL ARE TO BLAME!! #IDIOTS!#MAN UP AND CHANGE ALREADY OR BE HATED FOREVER!

Africans were not beating one

Africans were not beating one another and calling it slavery, Africans used this method as a way to pay back debt.
Shae_Buttuh's picture

Sweetheart, everything you

Sweetheart, everything you just said here AGAIN was a waste. You're not revealing anything new. The problem with you is you think you're telling black people something when all you are doing is revealing more and more how UTTERLY IGNORANT, DUMB, and RACIST you are. "Get hated forever"--LMBAO--BITCH HATE ON! That is the DUMBEST thing I've ever read from a commentator and it's a CLEAR indication of your mental capacity. Your people have been at the cornerstone of nearly every racist, ethnic genocide that has taken place around the world from Germany to Bosnia to Rwanda. So hating forever is what your fucking people do best--and YOU ARE A FUCKING PRIME EXAMPLE.
BlackDiva's picture

That's a different type of

That's a different type of slavery that took place in Africa. Know what your talking about before posting. Especially in all caps. Read a bit more in-depth.
cutethatsall56's picture

Reading in depth is the LEAST

Reading in depth is the LEAST of this chick problems. She is delusively ignorant thinking that she's dropping gems to us poor black folks who don't know any better. There is nothing worse than willful ignorance being proudly put on display and a blissfully unaware bigot--of which she is the prime example of both with her condescending and ignorant comments. I tell you, white folks like her just don't know when to just shut the fuck up.
BlackDiva's picture

Unbelievable…Wow… My friend

Unbelievable…Wow… My friend Lynn has just married to a handsome black man. They met through ~~ MìxedMatchìng.Çoм~~Here is the best, largest and most successful mixed race dating site for black and white singles seeking interracial relationships, friendships, dating ,love and more.. You can meet (lawyers,busy professionals, benefactors. models, celebrities, etc….). If you are single ,have a try.
cvnsyweyewy347's picture

Unbelievable…Wow… My friend

Unbelievable…Wow… My friend Lynn has just married to a handsome black man. They met through ~~ MìxedMatchìng.Çoм~~Here is the best, largest and most successful mixed race dating site for black and white singles seeking interracial relationships, friendships, dating ,love and more.. You can meet (lawyers,busy professionals, benefactors. models, celebrities, etc….). If you are single ,have a try.
cvnsyweyewy347's picture

It's part of history. We

It's part of history. We should never forget what our ancestors went through. . . they've fought to bring us to where we are today. If anything, we should honor and respect our ancestors and ourselves to move forward to a better future. Good Luck!
Mike b's picture

jesus christ......ENOUGH

jesus christ......ENOUGH already. you've preached us ta death and left enough comments. please stfu already.......
sianna1's picture

EDIT: You're right, 40 years

EDIT: You're right, 40 years ago we were in a very different place as far as who can be friends with who, or who can date, or even what jobs a black person could get. The first black CEO of a company didn't come around until the late '80s. Think of what atmosphere your parents and grandparents grew up in. Wow. But keep in mind also, that slavery wasn't 400 years ago, it only ended (officially) about 140 years ago, and there were still slaves being held into the early 1900s. Even throughout the 20th century, black people worked in "slave" type jobs - in fields, as maids in houses - because they couldn't get any other type of work. This is something that didn't change until relatively recently. I understand what you're saying, that we need to move forward, and I agree. But it's difficult when so many people still have ingrained attitudes, and so many people grew up with that sting of racism and of knowing that in America, the "land of opportunity," they had no chance of going to college or going anywhere in life. People were shocked to hear Reverend Wright's stinging condemnation of America for their treatment of minorities. But think about what kind of America he grew up in. It's much different than growing up white in his generation. He experienced first-hand the "American dream" for black people, and it hasn't been pretty.
Mike b's picture

okay i u ndersatn were most

okay i u ndersatn were most people are coming from i think that we should remeber our past but try not to get caught up in it. my whole thing is this is something that happend over 400 years ago but we cant forget that only 40 years ago i would not be able to eat with my best friends because of my color. so i think that if we were to get over it or move on than we might end up workin for "the man"
Mike b's picture

Jews have not forgotten about

Jews have not forgotten about the Holocaust so why should a black people forget about slavery?
Mike b's picture

But goddamn that young sista

But goddamn that young sista on the cover LOOK LIKE SHE BEEN THROUGH SOME SHIT. You black women gotta start loving your kids man damn, AND GET WITH SOME BROTHAS THAT FATHERRRRRRR LIKEEEEE!!That's step one , FUCK THEM THUGS , And clown ass negros get with a brotha with some sense !!!
LetsGetIt's picture

WHITE people IS the root of

WHITE people IS the root of ALL EVIL and I strongly believe that they will pay for the destruction that they've caused .........THE END!!!!!!!!!
Ms.Thangfromthe5thflr's picture

just proves u all are

just proves u all are racists....try living in Africa...you will beg to come back here!!!!!!!!
Jesus H. Christ's picture

I stayed in africa before,

I stayed in africa before, i'd go back if i could. Just as nice as america if you ask me. Thing is they are becoming to much like american niggas over there.
LetsGetIt's picture

LOL..Im African and I

LOL..Im African and I agree...we starting to become like American Niggas ...its sad...and its from the influence of watching lots of rap videos and american media...no offence.....it even boggles my mind when i hear my african brothers using the word nigga when they talk to each other...i have to say i may not agree with you sometimes but a fan of your comments...
HAPPY's picture

I been all over africa, seen

I been all over africa, seen its good and bad areas. And it kills me when an american nigga TALK AS IF AFRICA IS THE WORSE PLACE ON THE PLANET but they never been!!They get that shit from white folks, and the funny thing is when i went to africa the first people i saw when i got off the plane was white people, for them to put fucked up images of africa around the world IT SURE IS ALOT OF THEM IN AFRICA and they loving that shit. So i tell these negros, if you never been to AFRICA shut theee fuck upppp!!! But yea when i was over there i got alot of love but i noticed alot of the clubs and how people act was similar to the way niggas act over here. But the thing is THEY STILL CAN SEPARATE FROM THAT BECAUSEE THEY STILL HAVE THE CULTURE THERE.
LetsGetIt's picture

Not a chance....every

Not a chance....every American i know....kisses the ground when they get back here........
Jesus H. Christ's picture

Agreed. I think the majority

Agreed. I think the majority of dark skinned women love themselves and don't have this woe is me mentality. While I think there is nothing wrong with discussion, I do think harping on the negative is harmful to one's psyche and ultimately holds one back. Check out new website Evolvage for info on youth programs,resources for single mothers, free job training programs, outstanding public schools/free private and boarding schools, info on how to start a business, buy a home, apply for college and find scholarships and so much more.
Nikki100's picture

I am so sick of reading

I am so sick of reading comments about light skin / dark skin. It should always be about the beauty inside of a person that makes them beautiful. Not if you wear a weave are not. Who cares what you have on your fingernails. Who cares if your hair is natural or not. None of those things make you better or prettier than the next woman. What you look like should not speak for your character or your morals. Yes this does exist in our culture but it only has power if you allow it to. Black women please educate and empower yourself and stop judging each other based off of what someone looks like. Black men have and will always date and marry outside of their race. Who cares! Look at it as their loss not to come home to someone who truly understands their souls. Focus on the tons of everyday working hard black men who love and adore all shades of black women. No you may not marry a baller but you will be rich with love. Remember being educated, having morals and being a strong black woman is the true definition of a QUEEN.
meon70's picture

Black women don't understand

Black women don't understand a DAMN THING. Why do you black women say dumb ass shit like that, i honestly think other race of women who are into interracial relationships respect us more than black women. Black women don't understand true family structure, you don't understand a man being head of a household, you don't understand or love yourself. I honestly heard more white women complement and tell a brotha how beautiful their skin is than black women. So i mean that just tells me other races appreciate us more THEREFORE WE DATE OUTSIDE OUR RACE. It's not about "imma date you cause you got black skin" fuckkkk no because we grew up in black household "No father= no balance" and we seen how the black community has fallen under black women so what the fuck would we really be losing by getting the fuck away from yall???? Real talk YOU TEACH OUR KIDS TO HATE THEMSELVES , got these niggas that came out of your single parent homes killing themselves in the street SO HOW WOULD WE LOSE ANYTHING NOT BEING WITH YOU. LETS JUST BE REAL HEREEEEEEEE, BLACK WOMEN DON'T UNDERSTAND SHITTT WHICH IS WHY SUCCESSFUL BROTHAS WANT NOTHING TO DO WITH YOUUUUU.
LetsGetIt's picture

I would like to say I see

I would like to say I see your comments on here all the time bashing black women. If you prefer to date and or marry out of your race no one cares. It is a disrespectful and ignorant to lump all black women in the same basket which is what you normally do. Black women are the backbone of their households and communities. Most of us not by choice. Unfortunately due to many reasons we have had to raise children alone without the fathers. Not because we did not want them there but because they choose to leave or just could not be there. This goes back to slavery when most plantations had very few black men on them mostly black women because women are easier to control. Black women have been raising children alone for many many years. Black women had no choose like the black man but to be strong in order to endure slavery. That strength has been handed down to black women from generation to generation. Black people as a race do not understand the family structure what it really means for a man to be the head of a household. In order for a man to be head of the house he first has to be a "man" in likeness of god because you are quoting the bible. Being male does not make you a man. Your character does ; your soul does. Who you really are inside makes you a man. Understanding that being the head of the household does not mean you have complete power over your household and the people in your household should do as their told by you. It means that you guide your children with a gentle but firm hand leading by example the type of behavior your household should display. You set the foundation for morals and conduct once again leading by example. Your wife is not a child and should not be treated as such. She is your mate; your rib and should be respected as such. The bible says when a man finds a wife it is a good thing. She should be treated as such a good thing not as someone's property to be told what to think, when to speak and how to look. If you treat any race of women like a treasure they will treasure you. You focus a lot on skin colors which has nothing to do with real beauty the outside fades it is the inside that counts. Just because other races of women who give black men compliments does not mean they appreciate you. It could just simply mean they are intrigued by something different than themselves. In order to truly appreciate someone you first have to get to know them as a person. If this is what you base love and appreciation on well you sir are very shallow. You should date people who you have a connection with period. Maybe your childhood was difficult and has given you some biases and hate against black women. Black single family household started to grow during the middle to late 70 right around the same time black men being incarcerated started to grow and unemployment with black men grew. Even now more black men are unemployed than black women. There are more successful everyday black women than black men. You are only speaking about celebrities that does not apply to everyday black people. Look ay home owners between black men and black woman. Who is graduating from college more. Black women. The reason why a lot of children not all have issues coming from a single family home is because the father was not there not because the mother was. It takes a man to teach a boy how to act like a man and what it means to be a man. It takes a man to teach a girl how a man should treat her. I was raised by both parents in my home loved by both. The reason why I am single and raising my two sons alone is because my father taught me what to accept and what not to accept by example by the way he treats me and continues to treat my mother. I am not on welfare I am a college gradate. I am a god fearing woman but that does not mean I am a doormat. Thanks to my daddy. My sons are both straight A students, have never been trouble with the law and very multi-talented from poetry to music and writing short stories. Single parents can and do raise successful children because it is about the foundation you lay as a parent and what morals you lead by example with in your household. Success is not measured by your wealth but by how many lives you touch and change while you are on this earth. It is measured by your work for mankind. Period. It does not matter if you have a black ,white or any color woman as your wife if YOU have hate in your heart and do nothing for mankind than you are a failure. Trust me God does not care about your money or your success. Wake up and stop spreading hate. Much love to you LetsGetIt.
meon70's picture

damn that was a masters

damn that was a masters thesis lol
sonya.f.baby's picture

the Blacks are Evil and

the Blacks are Evil and destroying each other (thats why they only make up 13% of this Country now).....
Jesus H. Christ's picture

There was a time in our

There was a time in our history where we had something called PRIDE. Pride in ourselves as a people. The town of Rosewood comes to mind as an example of black pride long before the 70s. Here was a quaint small town in Florida in the early 1900s totally populated by blacks. They owned their homes, had churches, businesses, schools etc. and was a thriving, self contained community of approximately 400 black people. (Google Rosewood 1923). These people and others like them existed all over the country in a time when Jim Crow, lynchings, segregation, KKK, murder and rape of hundreds of thousands of innocent blacks by the hateful and yes envious whites, these black people perservered. They worked, ran their communities and had pride in themselves and what they had acomplished TOGETHER. This town was destroyed in a horrible massacre, supposedly based on a lie that caused the whites to infultrate the town causing riots and basically an all out war. It is my belief and the belief of others that it was destroyed because the white man could not stand the idea of blacks doing so well on their own. (Many in Rosewood lived better than the whites in the neighboring town). The point I'm making here is that we as black people have a history of PRIDE AFTER SLAVERY...but somewhere it got lost. I'm not sure if it was the lasting effects of slavery, the continued conspiracy by the white man through media and other forms of raciism and division or a combination of it all. Mostly however, it seems to be our total lack of self-pride and togetherness. Once this was lost, we as a people became lost as well. Other races come to this country and they thrive because the have a sense of togetherness, pride in themselves and who they are. If we can regain the pride, work together as a people and stop tearing each other down, working against one another, marrying outside our race, perpetuating negative sterotypes in hip hop, movies and all other forms of media, we can end the self hatred. Let us not lose another generation of beautiful black babies. Teach them to have pride in themselves no matter how dark they are. Teach our babies about finance and business, network as a PEOPLE and stop handing our wealth over to the white man, then and only then can we begin to retore ourselves to the PROUD and SELF LOVING people we were always meant to be
Burself's picture

black "men" are WAY too

black "men" are WAY too "Proud" of themselves...and need to get a job!!!! and stop having Bastard Kids!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jesus H. Christ's picture

Agreed, but this too stems

Agreed, but this too stems back to self hatred. Look a little deeper...why are there so many single parent homes and men who abandon their role as fathers? Many of our family structures are fractured because we don't love ourselves enough to love each other and keep our families together for the betterment of our children and the future of our race. Also, there are a LOT of good black fathers out there, with good jobs, raising their kids and being leaders in their families. However, how often do you hear about these men...in the media, or in our communities? We don't even talk about them or lift them up. We ourselves tend to focus on the negative stereotype.
Burself's picture

addiction & ignorance is what

addiction & ignorance is what the black man problems is....u cannot have a strong family unit with those problems.....
Jesus H. Christ's picture

Wow Oprah seriously?????????

Wow Oprah seriously????????? I think Black Americans are a little over the "oh-woe-is-me I'm darl" phase. If these little girls have self-esteem problems then blame there parents! NOT SOCIETY! Tells their parents to stop putting them in front of the TV. Their parents are responsible for instilling those proud heritage of being black! And just because something is black doesnt mean that it's bad. Thats the other thing her parents need to explain to her. But if these poor children's parents aren't educated or know any better then God be with them. Maybe those girls should attend an all black school; that way race won't really be an issue.
sayitlikeyoumeanit's picture

Um....to your last point

Um....to your last point sometimes black people are the WORST perpetrators of colorism!! Whenever getting in arguments black kids will insult the other by harping on their skintone (see the most recent spat between rappers Angel Haze and Azealia Banks...both dark women, but Angel Haze immediately reverted to hurling epithets based on her skin color). So no I don't think being in a "black school" is the solution.
Girl's picture

Thank you Oprah for shedding

Thank you Oprah for shedding light on a sensitive issue amongst the African American diaspora...congrats to my big bro for lending a hand in the production of this documentary! Lets make history!

… Unbelievable….Wow… My

… Unbelievable….Wow… My friend Emily has just married to a handsome wealthy black man. They met through ~~~ ~~InterracìalFìshes.Çoм ~~ ~ ~~A Serious interracial dating for black & white single sseeking interracial relationships, friendships, dating ,love and more.. So, if you want to look for people with which you can date, you are at the right place.You can meet(lawyers,busy professionals, benefactors. models, celebrities, etc….)If you are single, perhaps you can have a try.
xnxerughkkfh569's picture

What is wrong with you

What is wrong with you people? How is Oprah GLORIFYING anything? The reality is that colorism is alive and well. Lil Kim is just one among many who has changed skin tones before our VERY EYES. Do you realize how EFFING RIDICULOUS AND CRAZY THAT IS? Little girls today have to be actively deprogrammed in order to see their deep, dark skin as beautiful. I know women of all shades have similar struggles in a lot of places but I don't get why even talking about this is causing so much uproar and protest! Will someone please break this down for me???
Girl's picture

its their stupid parents

its their stupid parents fault for failing to install self-esteem.....not society!!!!!!!!
Jesus H. Christ's picture

NOBODY is saying that parents

NOBODY is saying that parents don't play a role in building up their child's self-esteem and self-awareness. But human beings, KIDS in particular are highly malleable, easily-influenced and I think the point of this doc. is that color is unavoidable. You can teach your kids to be proud and love themselves all day long, and when they get to school and are teased, or when they watch their fave movies, or listen to their favorite artists and notice that NOBODY looks anything like them they'll be forced to confront it. I am never the one to push off problems on "society" but we also have to recognize that to a certain extent society does influence the way that we feel even if in ancillary ways.
Girl's picture

I'm a black woman and

I'm a black woman and although I'm light skinned I feel that there is a war being waged against black woman in today's society and its very evident. They try to present black women in a negative light so that black men dates all other races. They try to act like we're all ghetto, wears weaves, fake long nails, etc and everyday I'm side by side with very accomplished black women who are making a difference in technological society and who have all natural everything. It's the same old "black is bad, white is good" false marketing reality. So I'm very glad Oprah is touching on these very sensitive topics that nobody has the balls to speak up about. I also want to thank Oprah for her recent $12 million donation to the Smithsonian African American museum. Because African Americans do have a story past, present, and future, and we have certainly contributed to this American society immensely.
cutethatsall56's picture

Black men have been dating

Black men have been dating and marring out of their race long before the media. You should look up statistics. Just like white men have and do marry black women. The problem is most black women prefer not to marry out of their race. Unlike black men. The last time I checked wearing a weave, wearing fake or real long fingernails DOES not make you GHETTO. Your character who you are inside makes you less desirable than the next woman. GHETTO is a state of mind it has no color on it, no finical status on it, and can apply to any neighborhood not just the poor. Rich people call it TACKY but it is just another word for GHETTO. Being educated and accomplished has nothing to do with wearing your hair natural or not. Having all natural everything has nothing to do with your intelligence or lack of it. Anyone can go to college and get a degree weave or no weave. Getting an education does not have beauty requirements. Your comment is part of the problem. Why would any man black / white want to be with someone who judges people based off of their appearance or think they are better than because of theirs. If you show love to all you will get love back in return. Love comes in all packages, shapes and hair styles.
meon70's picture

I have no idea what you're

I have no idea what you're talking about. Re-read.
cutethatsall56's picture

Which is coming FROM black

Which is coming FROM black people. The rest of America ain't that worried about it...........
Jesus H. Christ's picture

Really? I had a white

Really? I had a white roommate in college and the first thing she said when we met was "I assumed since you were black you'd have weave, long fake nails, talk ghetto, and not have a father". She was shocked to see that my dad was always there for me and my family supported me and in her words "talked proper English". You know why?? Because the media pushes the reflection of about 7% of an entire race and people buy it. I got everything in college from "I didn't know Black People could wear braces, to do you iron your hair with the same iron as used on clothing"? That's not coming from blacks.
cutethatsall56's picture

By you making similar

By you making similar comments about black women being accomplished and being all natural makes you part of the problem. Being accomplished has nothing to do with your looks. I was teacher at a private school and was the only Black teacher there and my co teachers did not dare ask me any degrading questions about my race because I made it very clear that I do not represent my whole race as you do not yours. Please judge me on my character as a person and if you can not do that than please do not interact with me because I will not tolerate racist behavior or language. I will take whatever legal actions needed against who ever to ensure I am being treated fairly and unbiased. I am a excellent Teacher and my work ethic will speak for it self. I taught there until I moved on to a better job which was about little over 2 yrs. People will treat and talk to you the way you allow them to.
meon70's picture

Go take a nap.

Go take a nap.
cutethatsall56's picture

Log in to post a new comment

Log in to post a new comment

register
Sign in with Facebook