UPDATE-Beyonce has succeeded in sparking a new set of controversy. For much of Beyonce’s pregnancy she stood accused of faking it, when she gave birth, the name wasn’t good enough – all of these accusations, although sparking very strong debate, were baseless.
But in this new round of controversy the problem and it’s impact goes beyond Beyonce.
A recently released photo from her ‘4’ album has surfaced and Beyonce is accused of skin lightening.
In the image below Beyonce looks much lighter then her usual caramel complexion. Some attribute the hue difference to studio lighting but for others it’s a much bigger issue around race and it’s impact on young women.
The picture may have even slipped through the cracks if it was the first time Beyonce found herself in the middle of a white washing scandal. In 2008 Beyonce’s L’Oreal Feria hair color ad was several shades lighter than the pop star which caused many to L’Oreal of digitally lightening Beyonce’s ad post production. At that time the New York Post called it “shocking”.
Writer Yasmin Alibhai-Brown also added to the Daily Mail,
‘Too many black and Asian children grow up understanding the sad truth that to have dark skin is to be somehow inferior.
‘Of course, black and Asian parents work hard to give their children a positive self-image and confidence in their appearance, despite the cultural forces stacked against them.
‘But when black celebrities appear to deny their heritage by trying to make themselves look white, I despair for the youngsters who see those images.’
In a new documentary called “Dark Girls”, where women spoke of their emotionally scarring experiences over their complexion, co-director Bill Duke told The Grio,
“Colorism is unfortunately still an issue today. Dark skin is considered less than light skin in the in the minds of many in our community and in the media”.
How much responsibility does Beyonce share in the end result of this image?
2nd look:
Check out all Beyonce Pregnant pictures here.
