I watched a very interesting episode of Oprah’s Life Class about “Colorism.” The term was foreign to me, and probably is to you. It refers to the prejudices within communities of Color who favor lighter skin tones over dark. Many of the darker-skinned ladies on Oprah’s show were suffering terribly. They cried, describing their feelings of total insecurity and ugliness.
Being a white lady, I’ve obviously never experienced Colorism. Race isn’t really an issue in the Jewish Community, so it’s assumed we don’t have our own prejudices towards other Jews.
Wrong…
There’s a tremendous amount of silent prejudice towards “Jewish Features.” Those who appear more ethnic (by that I mean curly hair and the stereotypical big nose), are viewed as being less worthy.
My own family doesn’t have a typical “Jewish” look. My sisters and I all have naturally straight hair and delicate features. Because I grew up in Rural New England, most people assumed we’re Irish. Nobody could tell I was Jewish unless I wanted them to. With my extended family, it’s an entirely different story. Because they look “Classically Jewish,” they’re deemed the Ugly Ducklings. Sad, huh? And all too common.
Personally, I think this is crazy! Beauty takes so many shapes and sizes. I see it in every single race and ethnicity. One shouldn’t have to fit some Aryan nightmare mold to be considered attractive. We need to celebrate who we are. God doesn’t make mistakes. Black ladies don’t have to pass the “paper bag test,” and Jewish ladies don’t need nose jobs.
God never created a mistake. However you look is more than acceptable, it’s beautiful. You don’t need a plastic surgeon, peroxide, or 6-inch heels. You just need to be you!
Have you ever felt discriminated against due to physical appearance?
I am not “pure-bred”. I am half Irish, 1/8 Cherokee and have lineage to the Moluccan Islands. Though I have a light olive complexion and appear caucasian, my features and bone structure are definitely different from most caucasions. Interesting I am accepted more often by people of color or different origin than white. Some Hispanics think I am South American. So, in a nutshell, I am not generally accepted by whites. That’s okay.
I’m so sorry you’ve had to deal with that! Here at https://thejewishlady.com/, we don’t discriminate! I hope you feel not only welcome, but appreciated.
Great Post!! I too have seen it in so many cultures & it’s sad wherever it’s found. There is such beauty in all our diversity & features & there is no 1 standard of beauty. I’m so thankful for parents who raised me to truly “know” this as fact. And, I’m doing the same for my two girls. Well done!! =-)
The world needs more mothers like you! Children should always be taught tolerance. Keep up the good work.
I agree with your observations and frankly, these attitudes are prevalent across the board. People of different backgrounds create their own standards of beauty and use them to discriminate against others in their own communities too.
This is a wonderful post! Personally I never experienced colorism, but many of my friends did & still do. The saddest part is that it starts in elementary schools 🙂
I think I get diverse view from my friends, who are from all over the world, from Israel to Jamaica, but having been born and raised in one city, among people who are mostly like myself, i have had very little first hand exposure to discrimination. In other words, I am sheltered. I don’t think that is a good thing. The stories of bias and discrimination I hear are very unique to each region. For example, My friend from Israel experienced things I simply can never relate to, because I can’t comprehend the landscape, the mind set, the people’s she encountered in her many (near death) experiences, which shaped her into the person she is today.