Complexion Apparel

"In an effort to give voice to lighter skinned African American women, Duke filmed a second documentary in which Black women who were often perceived as more beautiful due to the color of their skin and more euro-centric features, told stories of pain and frustration from a different perspective. Often seen as not being “Black enough” light skinned women have often felt the need to play-up their Blackness as much as possible either through their relationships with other Black men or through their mannerisms, or tone of voice."

I was in my preteen years when I had my first brush with colorism. One particular afternoon, I was standing in front of my mother’s garden while she plucked huge-leafed kale with her friend. My mother’s friend, who seemed intent on destroying any budding confidence in me, said I was too dark and ugly to be one of my mother’s daughters, who were light in complexion and attractive. I was stunned; I had no idea where that all came from. My mother tried to salvage my self-esteem by telling her that I was pretty, but her friend wasn’t convinced. Quite frankly, neither was I. 

"Never would I have imagined such a day in the United States. Never could I conceive the threat of tear gassing and rubber bullets, unmasked acquaintances and close contact with strangers rendered insignificant in the midst of a pandemic. Never could I imagine streets lined with thousands marching hand in hand as the disease spreads from man to man."