I'll let you in on a little secret...
Despite the strongly held belief by many that Black Americans are immune from body image woes they aren't.
Looking back over societal trends lets us see the changes that society has encouraged this population to adopt.
1. Barbie ---Dare I say it? Our famous friend is made in multiple flesh tones but until recently she didn't represent features of different cultures. Care has to be when admitting that there are differences in the shapes of body parts among the cultures. What it does set up however in the minds of girls is the thought they will grow up to have long straight hair, a thin waist, an ample bosom, and long legs and feet ready for the latest high heels. This just doesn't happen for anyone.
Moreover, for a black child, most likely their hair is not naturally straight, and will probably not grow to be as long as Barbie's hair and the nose is likely to be wider and flatter. Adults can appreciate Barbie for being a toy, but children don't understand what they are going to look like when they become adults, and it is sad that Barbie is their role model. There are few opportunities to see what grown women actually look like in the flesh, so assumptions are often made.
2. What you don't have, you can buy---The image of, and desire for long hair and light colored eyes is widespread (For "light" reading check out Toni Morrison's The Bluest Eye). Now one can regularly buy wigs, extensions, colored contacts and straighten their hair to fit the "ideal." Rhinoplasty and acne treatments are more acceptable in the black community. Also available are bleaching creams to lighten one's skin.
Interestingly, any woman who chooses not straighten their hair, grow dreadlocks or wear what resembles an afro is seen by others to be militant, or perhaps looked upon with suspicion. Not fitting the mainstream can have its costs in terms of jobs and trust of others.
3. The new standard for black female celebrities--- The same standards that have been placed on celebrities of other cultures are now being applied to Black Americans. Now celebrities are revered for having traits that are removed from the Black roots. Preferred are people who are usually tall, have long hair (or a good stylist), thin, and have an "universal" appeal. These people would include Beyonce, Vanessa Williams, Halle Berry, Jada Pinkett, Thandie Newton, and Sanaa Lathan. There are women of distinction such as Oprah Winfrey, Alfre Woodward, Regina King, Angela Bassett and Whoopie Goldberg who are also beautiful, but are not singularly known for beauty. Does this make them less important?
4. Not the average girl from your "Video"--- I thank India Arie for this song. The actual name of the song is "Video", for those who don't know it, and need a self affirming song, I suggest you look it up. At some point in time, music videos decided to put women on top of cars and in compromising clothing and bathing suits. This set a new standard for how women "should" look, and made sex objects out of women.
I'll stop for now, but there are more examples, and I am certain that people of other cultures can tell me examples (and I would love to here them!) Moreover, what are we going to do about this problem? Acceptance is not a choice.
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