Black Collegian News & Views

Remember the Spike Lee movie, School Daze?  For those who do not, it depicted the color struck mentality that some African Americans still possess.  I remember times when I would inform people in my hometown of Mobile that I wanted to attend Southern University.  Some would reply with the comment, "You must be color struck, ‘cause all they have in Louisiana is "yellow" girls with long hair."

I never really thought about those comments until I actually came to Southern.  As a freshman in fall 1997, three faces I remember vividly were those of Leon Tarver, president of Southern University, Jason Brown, SGA president and Miss Southern Wendy Hurt, all who are light skinned.  This immediately led me to believe that I chose to attend a color struck university. 

Is Southern similar to the fictional "Mission College" from the movie?  If you can remember, Mission was a school where people of the same race stayed involved in a constant war over skin complexion.  I am proud to say that things here at Southern are not based solely on skin color.  However, we must face the reality that there are still people who possess this "twisted" mentality. 

In relationships, there are those who prefer to date persons of a certain skin tone.  I must point out, I strongly believe there is a difference between being color struck and having a preference.  Sure, the term opposites attract is appropriate in some cases.  Some prefer those of a lighter complexion, and there are others who prefer those of a darker complexion.  The problem occurs when close-minded individuals decide to single out and generalize on the basis of the color of skin.  Why are we as a people still succumbing to this sort of "slave" mentality?

It is a well known historical fact that mulattos, quadroons and those who had lighter skin received better treatment from their masters during slavery, thus leaving slaves that did not fit this description feeling inadequate and inferior.  Many African Americans still suffer from this feeling of inferiority. We are the only race that can display different shades of skin color.  From "pleasantly pale" to "elegant ebony" we all have the opportunity to say we are black.  My parents told me tales from their college days when it was "hip" to raise your fists and scream from the top of your lungs that "BLACK IS BEAUTIFUL!" even when others felt it was not appropriate to do so.

Let me encourage you to be proud that you are Black.  I know that it is hard when you are put down or insulted because of your skin, but no matter what your complexion, you are one of God’s most precious creations.  Also remember that it doesn’t matter whether you are "light" or "dark skinned" to those of the "other persuasions" WE ARE ALL BLACK!  Be proud of the skin you are in.  I know that I am.

Curtis Johnson, Jr. is a Junior, Mass Communications major at Southern University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.  He is the President of the Southern University Media Association and the managing editor of the Southern University Digest.