A young African American girl opens with the words, "I don't like to be called black because I'm not black," setting the tone for discussions on colorism.
“Real Women. Real Stories”
Synopsis
A young African American girl opens with the words, "I don't like to be called black because I'm not black," setting the tone for discussions on colorism.
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Synopsis
I don't like to be called black because I'm not black," states a young girl at the beginning of Dark Girls. The 2011 documentary by Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry addresses colorism within the African American community. It features interviews with women, including actress Viola Davis, who share their experiences with self-esteem and societal perceptions based on skin color. The film also revisits the 1940s doll experiment by Kenneth and Mamie Clark, revealing that contemporary black children still prefer lighter-skinned dolls.
Deep Dive
Why Watch
- Meet Viola Davis and her views on colorism.
- See the updated doll experiment results from the 1940s.
- Find out about the billion-dollar skin bleaching industry.
Did You Know
- The film was shown to a sell-out crowd at the Pan African Film Festival in April 2012.
- In the updated doll experiment, black children favored light-skinned dolls over dark-skinned dolls.
- Bill Duke was asked during an NPR interview, 'Why are you airing our dirty laundry?'
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main focus of the documentary Dark Girls?
Dark Girls documents colorism within the African American community, featuring interviews with women discussing its impact on their lives.
What was the outcome of the updated black doll experiment mentioned in Dark Girls?
In the updated version of the 1940s black doll experiment, black children favored light-skinned dolls over dark-skinned dolls.
When was the sequel to Dark Girls announced and when did it premiere?
A sequel titled Dark Girl 2 was announced on May 21, 2020, and premiered on June 30, 2020.
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