I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: - Culture - Nairaland
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| I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by newakata(f): 10:48pm On Nov 19, 2009 |
It shocked me and hurt my feelings to hear talk of "fair" skinned people being better looking. I have been plagued by this idea since my childhood. You are pretty for a dark skinned girl. But to hear similar sentiments in Nigeria between adukt and child is saddening. Damn, even in Africa? Still using bleaching creams, lighter skinned people in advertising and billboards, and bucket loads of make-up on the faces of Nigerian women--from the top of society to the bottom. There are dark skinned beauties here, but 99.9% of them are wearing a foot of weave and 3 pounds of make-up. WHY DO WHITE PEOPLE AND THEIR IDEALS [font=Lucida Sans Unicode][/font]HAVE SUCH A STRONGHOLD ON THE MINDS AND SELF-IMAGE OF BLACK PEOPLE ALLLLL OVER THE WORLD?!!! So many beautiful women here drowning in make-up that is too light for their complexion. I thought I would see lots of "natural beauty" - but instead I have seen MORE weave than on the heads of American women, and the same repetitive lightblue, or frost colored eyeshadow on the lids of practically EVERY girl in the city of Lagos and in the villages too!! I have no point to make- other than to express my shock at this realization. I somehow thought that Nigerians, being in Africa, would be a little less "tainted" and thus more inspiring to me as black woman. Instead- the same dis-ease with self image and self-acceptance prevails here as well. I need to smoke a spike Lee Joint to digest this,   |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by walakolobo: 11:02pm On Nov 19, 2009 |
is this new? |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by newakata(f): 11:33pm On Nov 19, 2009 |
Its new to me. |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by Nobody: 11:39am On Nov 20, 2009 |
Are you Nigerian or married to a Nigerian? |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by londoner: 11:48am On Nov 20, 2009 |
Newakata, do you realise that almost every thread you create is a criticism of Nigerian women? |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by Obelomo: 7:07pm On Nov 20, 2009 |
Is this new? Plus a lot of women of color bleach! There was on episode on Trya about bleaching and lot AAs, Idian,Hispanic and even chinese do. |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by newakata(f): 7:15pm On Nov 20, 2009 |
@Londoner: No I didn't realize my posts were criticisms, but yes they do deal will observations. In THIS post, my criticism is of BLACK PEOPLE in general succumbing (sp?) to white ideals. I mentioned "fair" skin favoritism between an adult and child, and never said or implied that the adult was a woman. I wear weave myself- i didn't criticize Nigerian women for wearing weave- i expressed shocked at its prevalence here. It just wasn't something I expected. I also have stated how beautiful Nigerian women are, and how stylish they are as well. I asked in another post: How to befriend Nigerian women. That's not a criticism. In other posts about travel, I mentioned that i liked the people in Lagos. So no, I had no reason to realize that I was criticising Nigerian Women. As far as my post about the bad kids, I also mentioned this was one single parent, and I did not generalize it to all or most Nigerians. That this was Out of the ordinary considering I know Yoruba people to have a firm hand on their children's behavior. |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by platinumnk(f): 7:27pm On Nov 20, 2009 |
When u say weave do u mean braids as well? I only comment on weaves when it looks horrid. Iwould rather rock weaves than my natural hair look busted. Yes I got the "you pretty for a dark skinned girl" only got it here Never got in Nigeria. I dont even know what you were hearing in 9ja, nigeria has one of the most diverse skin colors in the world! |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by sjeezy8: 7:52pm On Nov 20, 2009 |
its a stick up o yah its a stick up baby its a daylight robbery she stuck me up freeze, GET LOW, all the girlz inda clubs want to hold me for ransom  I smell an american who doesnt know what the hell he/she is talkin about. |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by londoner: 7:53pm On Nov 20, 2009 |
@newakata, it was just an observation which I had before this thread was started, but its not a big deal I suppose. There are not many parts of the world which have not been affected by the "White is right" mantra, especially if they have had slavery or colonialism in their past. As far as beauty standards, Nigerians tend to see beauty in all shades. In fact they are very vocal about it. If you look at the Nigerian equivalents of people the Hollywood , they tend to be much darker, fuller shaped and have more rounded features. People like Genevieve/Omotola and Ini are the darlings of Nollywood, and are held to be the reigning beauties even though we have lighter actresses too. The girls in the videos are also a mix of shades. In Nigeria, you are not likely to hear someone say to you that you are pretty DESPITE being dark, the people who do bleach actually tend to be the older generation IMHO. |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by newakata(f): 8:20pm On Nov 20, 2009 |
I do want to clarify that I never heard "pretty for a dark skinned girl" in Nigeria. I said, I heard sentiments SIMILAR to it - happen between an adult and child in Nigeria. More specifically- an adult chided that the child was getting black for playing outside too much- and that her pretty fair skin had turned black. The child retorted, I am not ugly. The adult said- yes you have gotten black. yadda yadda, you are no more pretty like your sister (who was still faired skinned and un-blackened). So in this context, black was synonymous with ugly, and being fair meant being prettier. @Londoner: you make a good point about areas affected by colonialism and slavery. This is my first experience abroad- so I had wrongfully assumed that the white ideals were prevalent in the U.S. only because 80% of the U.S. is white- so to me, that makes sense for that to happen. Doesn't make it right- but I see how it happens. I also wrongfully ASSUMED that in a predominantly black society or culture (like Nigeria or any other country in africa)- that white ideals would have no, or little foothold on the dictation of beauty standards. re: braids, they are weaves, but not the same as sew-ins and glue-ins, and wigs, BECAUSE braids can be linked historically to african culture and tradition. many blacks have braided in various items like mud, coweries, fibers, and other adornments with braids for years. of course- I'm sure their reason is different fr om ours- we do it to get a more "straight/wavy/ euro look. [color=#770077][/We live, we learn, we rewrite whatever generaliztions we made, we re-categorize and relabel- because it helps us comprehend the world around us. So, even though stereotypes and over generalizations can be annoying - they are a HUGE part of our initial understanding of any topic- and as we learn, we modify, learn about exceptions to the rules, and become more well rounded and knowledgable.[color] |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by londoner: 8:48pm On Nov 20, 2009 |
@newakata, I understand that you just expected something different. Come to think of it, people often do want you to stay out of the sun, so you dont lose your light colour. That does happen in Nigeria/Africa. I think you will find that there is perhaps more idolation of Whites and Asians in Nigeria because they dont have the balance that people living in the west have. The Whites in Nigeria are only ever priveledged, rich, educated. They ALWAYS live in the best areas and have the best. Although you will see a Nigerian in Victoria Island, you will never see a White person living in Agegunle. I think they are sometimes viewed as being superior in terms of lifestyle. The balance is just not there. |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by newakata(f): 9:26pm On Nov 20, 2009 |
So how do we stop the cycle? Is it even possible to shake the white man's negative influences on our psyche? be they intentional or happenstance-- i wanna get over white people, and I want my kids to grow up FREE from their bondage. is it even possible? If so, how? *I'm not calling for a boycott of all "beauty enhacements" - LOL - But what i am talking about is how can we as black women can be just as confident, comfortable, and ACCEPTED by our men and peers even WHEN/IF we choose to stop hiding our God given features under so much "stuff". Nairalanders- any sugegstions? |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by africhika(f): 6:07am On Nov 21, 2009 |
newakata, i guess you had a romantic view of africa, like many afrocentric AAs do. the reality: the reason why blacks around the world have internalized self hatred is becuz africans do. africa is the source. so yes, that's why u saw what u saw. it's more concentrated/evident in africa. you look at the low esteem of blacks around the world. where does it come from? it all goes back to africa. and none of it will change until africa changes economically/socially/politically/etc. it's all connected to self esteem and pride. africans beg for aid. most african countries' income is 40% foreign aid. who can respect such countries  how can you be proud of YOURSELF when u can't provide for YOURSELF and your people?self esteem and pride and self-reliance. it's all connected. |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by lostgirl: 9:54am On Nov 22, 2009 |
@Poster, The first time I visited Nigeria I was surprised to see the women with weaves and tons of makeup too. These girls are naturally beautiful yet they choose to wear there hair and makeup like Americans and Europeans. I was disappointed. They wear more weaves and wigs than African American women. These Naija girls are fashion foward when it comes to clothes and style but they seem artificial in other ways. |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by davidif: 7:45am On Nov 23, 2009 |
My sister, i have been saying this for a while now but the females keep attacking me.I think the problem with us is ignorance. We never had a black power movement in Africa so our people have not yet been awakened. I believe that every Nigerian should watch a movie like "Malcolm X" so as to be enlightened. A prime example of our people's ignorance is this https://www.nairaland.com/nigeria/topic-343716.0.html I believe that every black woman should watch this movie, its very enlightening https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1m-4qxz08So&feature=related africhika: My sister, you are soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo on point its not even funny, its like you are reading my mind. I agree with everything you said ESPECIALLY the highlighted part. That unless Africa becomes a developed continent, only then would Africans be desperately to learn there native language, only then would they stop bleaching or speaking with fake american accents, only then would they see themselves as beautiful. When Africa becomes developed and our fashion industry and fashion magazine can be competing with the western ones then, maybe (and i mean MAYBE) would this trends change. |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by adavis84: 11:04am On Nov 23, 2009 |
why would u think african people would be any different. you were colonized genius. the fact that you have christian and muslim nigerians who shun yoruba, the religion they created shows u what is going on. it shows you that for whatever reason the white man has a hold on us. but u know what, this is a big issue in india and asia. im so annoyed. why cant we love our skin and hair the way it is. |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by ababda: 1:33pm On Nov 23, 2009 |
to: newakata, i guest it depends what part of the continent one in from. even though, ethiopia is one of the most poorest countries on the african continent, while i was there, i have hardly seen a women with hair extension or bleach skinned, also not ethiopians are very prideful of the history and culture, and they never really been colonized by europeans or any other foreign power. as a northern sudanese and nubian, i have nothing but respect for them. |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by newakata(f): 5:08pm On Nov 23, 2009 |
I never that about Ethiopia. And agree 100% with Africhika too. Self-reliance makes a huge difference. |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by echobee(f): 6:59pm On Nov 23, 2009 |
no be new thing. u never see them with different colours, like coke, fanta, 7upe.t.c. |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by 8words(m): 2:40pm On Nov 24, 2009 |
echo- bee:  o boy u get am well. |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by adavis84: 2:51pm On Nov 24, 2009 |
"@Poster, The first time I visited Nigeria I was surprised to see the women with weaves and tons of makeup too. These girls are naturally beautiful yet they choose to wear there hair and makeup like Americans and Europeans. I was disappointed. They wear more weaves and wigs than African American women. These Naija girls are fashion foward when it comes to clothes and style but they seem artificial in other ways." You africans sound so dumb when u say more weave than African American. You assholes invented weaves. That is what i'm saying. Loving thy master, not knowing history. So you dont see tribal woman with clay extensions, beads, and other forms of extentions. As a matter of fact, Africans in particular Nigerian females go ten times harder than any African American I know when it comes to weaves and makeup. Your weaves always have to be extra long, your makeup over done up. You rarely see African American girls like that. You see mad Jamaicans, and Haitians over done up. Not African Americans. I teach, and the girls who over do the makeup, weave thing are the Jamaican/Haitian/Nigerians. The African American girls are caught up with the braids, a lot of which have natural hair. So please do your research and observe better. Thank You |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by Hauwa1: 6:40pm On Nov 24, 2009 |
adavis84: |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by davidif: 6:06am On Nov 25, 2009 |
adavis84: What is with the Nigerian factor that every time one doesn't agree with something, it must end up in insults, geez. Can't you see that we are having a decent conversation here? |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by brooklyn99: 7:52am On Nov 25, 2009 |
lets be real, LIGHT SKIN IS BACK IN VOGUE, THATS THE SHIT. LIGHTSKINNED PEOPLE LOOK BETTER.LOL. THATS JUST THE TRUTH ps:joking, but watch some feathers get ruffled |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by rabzy: 7:18pm On Feb 09, 2010 |
Have you guys also thought about the power of advertisements, what people portray to u as good eventually becomes the standard, all over the world fairer is believe to be better, in india they advertise more light skin creams more than anywhere else, Even before blacks came to europe, the fairer skin girls are of the nobility, the stories of rapunzel and cinderella is all about, who is the fairest in all the land. I think being darker is associated with having worked more in the sun and therefore from a poor background, whether in Africa, India, Europe, Poor people work longer in the sun, and they would tend to be darker, so the concept might have originated from there, even the girl in the Song of Solomon, (Song of Solomon 1:5-6) 5 “A black girl I am, but comely, O YOU daughters of Jerusalem, like the tents of Ke′dar, [yet] like the tent cloths of Sol′o·mon. 6 Do not YOU look at me because I am swarthy, because the sun has caught sight of me. . . . Historically even before the coming of white men, folk songs are created in praise of fair-skin girls, so it might have to do social status |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by rabzy: 7:31pm On Feb 09, 2010 |
lostgirl: Sometimes some of the reasons these girls do it is not to look like white people, the easiest way to manage African hair is to cut it low, but many girls don't want to cut their hair, many of them wear the wigs because it can hide their undone hair, and they wont need to visit the salon soon unlike if they do the corn-row style, which will start looking rough in a week or two. |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by rabzy: 7:40pm On Feb 09, 2010 |
davidif: Am not against what you have commented on, we all want an industrialized Africa, but what we all see as industrialized and civilized society is modelled on the Western Concept, so if we want our cities to look like that, and not like the serene villages we left behind, how are we not going to wear their chlothes, wigs and makeups. |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by rabzy: 7:52pm On Feb 09, 2010 |
africhika: I just wanted to ask a question, have you ever been raped?, Am not asking because i wish that to happen, but i hear, when people are raped and brutalized, they come to have a low esteem of themselves, in order to survive people who are kidnapped, and molested bcom attached to their tormentors, they come to have attachment to them (stockholm syndrome) That is what happened to Africa, a long time ago, there was so much pride here, africa was never the source of self-hatred but Africa was raped and brutalized by the western powers, many of these countries gained independence not too long ago, even though, they were given territorial independence, but economic powers still lies in the West, it would take a while before Africa gets its footing, and the stooges/politicians the super powers left behind are still milking the economy of most of these Nations. |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by Outstrip(f): 5:40am On Feb 10, 2010 |
These are movie actresses are quite outstanding in their careers. They have contributed immensely to the development of the Nigerian movie industry, Nollywood. Though some of them are naturally light in complexion, they have in one way or the other boosted their natural complexion by using skin-toning creams. NollywoodReel writes about some of these talents who have toned their skins. http://www.modernghana.com/movie/1162/3/meet-the-popular-skin-toning-nollywood-actresses.html This is actually a ghanaian website but they are just as bad if not worse when it comes with the obsession with light skin |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by Outstrip(f): 5:41am On Feb 10, 2010 |
[img]http://1.bp..com/_p63XZ27fMK8/SsPOm_dELmI/AAAAAAAABH4/ADlOnrV8veM/s400/AKALA.jpg[/img] Even the men do it ughhhh |
| Re: I Was In Lagos & Was Shocked To Find This Out: by rabzy: 9:50am On Feb 10, 2010 |
Outstrip: The Man you have here is one of the worst species of Politicians to ever walk the soil of this country, he is a riffraff and his appearance shows it, you can check out the pictures of other governors, am sure you won't see a thing like this. You hardly see men here toning their skin, many of them hardly use a cream. So please amongst men this is an aberration |
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