by
Black Girl With Long Hair
It’s unclear whether this was an actual event or just internet lore, either way this clapback to the common insult-parading-as-compliment, “you’re pretty for a dark-skinned girl” has gone viral — and sparked heated debate online. Initially posted on Tumblr in January, the post has resurfaced and gotten a second life on Twitter, where it has been liked, shared and commented on by thousands of people.
While teaching my 7th Grade class, I hear…
Girl 1: wow! You’re pretty for a dark skinned girl!
Girl 2: aw thanks! If you were darker, you could be pretty too.
Me (internally): DRAG HER!!!
Some feel the clapback is an example of ‘reverse colorism’ by associating enhanced beauty with darker as opposed to lighter skin.
https://twitter.com/Parmeswar_/status/811352708007477248
https://twitter.com/BlackCraftsman/status/811436249630261248
Others were here for the petty
https://twitter.com/awesomelocks/status/811354140546834432
https://twitter.com/NyeshaNaynay/status/811399696577163268
Ladies, what do you think?
20 Responses
I am a Dark skin woman and I used to get that all the time when I was younger I still get the” you look so exotic”, or “hey pretty dark skin”, or oh here is an original one “hey sexy chocolate” …smh… why does any compliment have to be accompanied with reference to color…..SIGH….
HOWEVER HER RESPONSE WAS OUTSTANDING LMAO!!
‘If it was the other way round…’ stfu you ever heard anyone say ‘You’re pretty for a light skinned or white girl’ ? Oh.
Saying someone is pretty for a dark skin is not a compliment. The clapback was perfect.
I am light brown with hazel eyes. I have never in my life looked down on dark skin, but I’ve had dark people throw shade at my light skin my whole life. Calling me white girl or green eyed bitch or white bitch. It’s all colorism and it’s all ugly. It only serves to further oppress people of color. There is no such thing as “reverse colorism.”
This is not reverse racism/colorism. This is about a snarky girl who felt like she was complimenting what she deemed to be a physical flaw. The girl of whom the insulting compliment (or complimentary insult) was aimed at cleverly remarked back. Simple as that.
This could easily be read as:
“You’re pretty for a red head. Thanks if you had red hair you’d be pretty too”.
“You’re pretty for someone who has freckles. Thanks if you had freckles you’d be pretty too”
Braces, weight, curly hair, straight hair, etc. Many characteristics can fit into that situation.
I had a bff who was/ IS beautiful and dark skinned and she looked like a Barbie doll dipped in chocolate! She had a nice personality and very bright white happy smile….even when things were bad…she smiled…She has four boys, a very nice home, kind husband, and two or three cars. Of course, nothing is perfect. I was constantly staring at her…admiring her beauty…mainly inner beauty…dark or not..she was totally a knock out and I miss her friendship and babysitting her kids…. #blackisbeautifulinallcolorssizesandshapes
“She looked like a Barbie dipped in chocolate”. This. This is the problem. Historically, have dark skin is also associated with have “dark features” (ie wider nose and large lips) which are seen as ugly.
So when people say “pretty for a dark skinned girl”, this is what they mean. “You are dark, but with the straight nose and small lips– so you’re beautiful”.
Don’t believe me? Do a Google search for “black models”. Tell me, what do their facial features reflect?
Actually, she looks way better than Barbie! She was…is beautiful. Barbie would’ve been jealous dark or any shade of brown
..I’m sure your friend would appreciate such compliments,but in the context of this discussion, they prove that you are quite removed from comprehension of this issue.
It’s cool, you said what you wanted, and so did i. I have nothing to prove to you. I’m a long time active part of this community. Your opinion doesn’t ruffle my feathers. …so be it and have a blessed new year 2017!
Good point, because it’s been repeatedly said that in the fashion world they look for, and I quote, “a black girl dipped in chocolate.” And I’m quoting from a white photographer.
I have blue black to passing white in my family so I love and deeply appreciate ALL ARRAY of colors…..for you to assertain what I’m thinking is mute.
(“moot”)
Well, what do suggest then? You don’t have to agree, it’s cool….I stand firmly by what I said.
Well done. The commentor’s parents should have raised her better so that clapback was appropriate.
Or I’ve heard” you have that exotic look.” I’m not as quick like that student. Can someone please tell me what that means!?
In math, there are some equations that do not compute to create an answer. The answer is unsolvable. It Does Not Exist (DNE). Reverse racism is one of those things.
How many times have dark skinned girls have said “you’re pretty for a dark skinned girl” isn’t a compliment, you can’t call me pretty while insulting everyone else that looks like me. Or I’m only pretty on dark skinned scale, compared to everyone else I’m not pretty.
I saw this on twitter, the only people that had a problem with this clap back are white folks.
The fighting racism with racism comment is pretty dumb since we don’t even know the race of the other girl. (Since they know they’re full ish, they’re assuming she’s white).
It’s always expected of us to be the bigger people, not to hurt their feelings,correct them nicely a million times, it’s tired.
It’s not reverse colorism, it’s giving someone a taste of the medicine they feel is okay and making them aware with flare.
This is from a bright brown girl.
Yep!