I was immediately captivated by the lyrics and Chrisette Michele’s vocals. On this compelling track, the artist addresses prejudice
within a race, based on complexion, commonly referred to as colorism.
He admits having cheated on his light-skinned girlfriend based on
feelings of inadequacy about his own darker skin tone stating, I’d
never let a light broad hurt me/that’’s why I strike first and the
first cuts deep. Eventually, he transcends the stereotype and concludes
with Chrisette Michele offering the vocals in the hook–From a light-skinned girl to a dark-skinned brother/Shade doesn’t matter, heart makes the lover.
As a black woman, I have been around women who struggle with complexion
issues, but this was the first time I’ve heard a male hip-hop artist
address the issue.
I was both moved by the song and surprised that Wale stepped up to address
this stereotype. What’s even more interesting is that for a moment I
was able to connect to him and have compassion for him. Oftentimes, I
think as women we forget that men have feelings and insecurities, like
us. Men don’t always verbalize their feelings. Colorism and, to a
larger degree, pigmentocracy are not new topics. For years, those with
a lighter skin tone have been considered privileged. It goes back to
times of slavery and even as recently as the brown paper bag test, an exclusion ritual once practiced by black sororities and fraternities. You had to be lighter than the paper bag to join. I
think that it’s unfortunate that in 2009 people bleach their skin, and
undergo harsh chemical procedures to become lighter, with hopes of
gaining acceptance. I personally love that as African Americans we come
in different shades. Colorism is a mental illness, one that can be
healed with two words, self-love. –christian johnson
