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Tonya
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Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 05:22 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Tan is 'In': Study Finds Light Brown More Attractive than Pale or Dark Skin

Some African-American stars have been ridiculed for trying to lighten their skin color, but many Caucasians go to tanning salons to darken their skin. A new study by University of Missouri-Columbia researcher Cynthia Frisby found that people perceive a light brown skin tone to be more physically attractive than a pale or dark skin tone.

"Does a person's skin color alone impact whether others perceive her as physically attractive? Advertisers want their models to be perceived as attractive so that consumers will buy their product, and previous studies have found that black models used in advertisements frequently are fair-skinned and have more European features. I wanted to test skin color separately to find out whether it's important to perceptions of beauty. I found that without regard to physical features, people prefer light brown skin over dark brown skin or pale skin," said Frisby, associate professor of advertising at MU's School of Journalism.

For the study, photographs of four female models were adjusted using computer software. Each model was imaged in three different skin tones - light, medium and dark - but all other features remained the same. Frisby asked 79 female participants to evaluate a selection of the photographs, which they believed were for an upcoming advertising campaign. Frisby analyzed the responses and discovered that participants, of whom 45 were Caucasian and 34 were African American, found the light brown skin tone most attractive.

These findings might impact how advertisers use African-American models. Some advertisers have worried that using African-American models for mainstream products might alienate potential Caucasian buyers, Frisby said, but this study shows Caucasians and African Americans react in similar ways to light, medium and dark shades of skin tone.

"Since the mid-1960s, many advertisers have been in a dilemma regarding the use of blacks in advertisements," Frisby said. "Many considered using blacks in advertisements to appeal to a growing black target audience but were concerned that use of blacks might alienate white consumers. Fortunately for advertisers and advertising agencies, research shows that white consumers react to black models in advertisements in almost exactly the same way as black consumers react. It seems that both groups prefer the light brown skin tone, whether it's a tan Caucasian or a light-skinned African American."

The study, "'Shades of Beauty': Examining the Relationship of Skin Color to Perceptions of Physical Attractiveness," was published in the August issue of the journal Facial Plastic Surgery.

Source: University of Missouri

http://www.physorg.com/news78679968.html
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Doberman23
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Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 07:44 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

ha! i could have told u that. it's the middle ... everyone likes a nice middle ground. for every super dark person there's a super white person, some folks prefer those, but i figure everyone would prefer the center.
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Moonsigns
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Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 08:30 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Surprise, surprise.
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Abm
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Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 10:55 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

For the sake of discussion, let's assume the results of such studies are true. I wonder how much of this is due their being relatively FEW naturally-tanned Whites and/or lightskinned Blacks. I mean, removing the taint of racism/prejudice from the issue, would pale or Black skinned be more prized than tanned/light skin IF such were far fewer in number/frequency than pale and dark skinned people?
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Urban_scribe
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Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 11:28 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

You've posed an interesting scenario. I think there's lots of merit as well as some history behind what you've presented here. When I read it, my mind automatically recalled how Blacks were so well-received in Paris in the early 20th century, i.e., Josephine Baker. The French considered Blacks "exotic" because, at that time, there were so few Blacks in France.

But that turned into a breeding ground for racism in France because the White French petite bourgeoisie complained that Les Negres received MORE and BETTER opportunities and better treatment than the "real" French did, and that their presence in the country made the poor French poorer.
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Abm
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Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 11:37 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

In my last post, I meant to say "...would pale or Black skinned be more prized than tanned/light skin IF such were far fewer in number/frequency than tanned/light skin?"
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Abm
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Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 11:40 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Urban_scribe: "But that turned into a breeding ground for racism in France because the White French petite bourgeoisie complained that Les Negres received MORE and BETTER opportunities and better treatment than the "real" French did, and that their presence in the country made the poor French poorer."


Indeed. That's why I included "...removing the taint of racism/prejudice from the issue..." within my intial post. Because OBVIOUSLY racism/prejudice has and will affect things.
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Urban_scribe
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Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 11:51 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

"removing the taint of racism/prejudice from the issue..."

I think that just puts us back to the rarity being viewed as "exotic." Exotic can go both ways: it can make you the oddball "square peg in a round circle" syndrome. Or it can make you more coveted like a rare gem.
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Cynique
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Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 11:54 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

To me, it's very simple. Tan is, in effect, golden brown. And gold is a prized commodity no matter how it is manifested or embodied. That's why I've imagined that, in the scheme of things, if nature and evolution take their course, in a hundred years, everybody will all be golden brown...and happy.
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Nolanfane
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Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 12:36 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Quote:

These findings might impact how advertisers use African-American models. Some advertisers have worried that using African-American models for mainstream products might alienate potential Caucasian buyers, Frisby said, but this study shows Caucasians and African Americans react in similar ways to light, medium and dark shades of skin tone.


So in effect they are making an excuse why light brown and "gold" colored blacks are given preferrence on t.v. films etc. and why this trend should be accepted?

Let me ask all here. Does this study make it right?? It seems like thats what Cynique is suggesting.

Hey Abm, funny how this study doesn't stop Super White people from being visible and in demand no matter how many of them there are.

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Nolanfane
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Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 12:41 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Quote Abm:

For the sake of discussion, let's assume the results of such studies are true. I wonder how much of this is due their being relatively FEW naturally-tanned Whites and/or lightskinned Blacks.

That's a stone cold natural fact. I believe if you were to go to a city with nothing but high yellow people and you were a goodlooking very dark choco-lat black person you would be swimming in love. I remember beng in Greenland where its nothing but lily white snow white soldiers and this one African chick worked in the town she was like a goddess up there. Even the white chicks wanted a piece of her and she was West African short hair dark dark girl. But she WAS fine and lov'n them white boys.



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Cynique
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Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 12:50 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Does what anybody says about this subject make it right, "nolandfane"? It's obviously a situation that inspires a lot of different opinions and of course "you" would be offended by the inference of "colorism" in my comment. (Guess you didn't have a board meeting to attend this morning, huh? Boy, you sure got an easy job. How does BET function with slackers like you taking up space in their offices. BTW, what' the latest on the kola boof interview???)
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Abm
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Posted on Wednesday, October 04, 2006 - 01:07 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Urban_scribe,

I'm not sure that you can wholly separate racism from considering who looks different as being an "oddball". I mean, essentially BOTH are forms of prejudice. Although, certainly the broader, macroscopic EFFECTS of them substantially differ.

I mean, it's one thing to laugh at someone who looks different. It's quite another to use their looks to deny them the right to vote.


Nolanfane,

Nolanfane: "So in effect they are making an excuse why light brown and "gold" colored blacks are given preferrence on t.v. films etc. and why this trend should be accepted?"

It sure SEEMS as though that's what they're (not-so-)subtly trying to do, chief.

But hey: If it makes money...


The problem with stumping for some tanned/lightskinned-based beauty concept is because PALE White foks still own/run everydayamthang, THEY won't really be harmed by this. But Blacks who are darker, more African looking will get CREAMED by it.
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Tonya
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Posted on Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 03:17 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

I seriously doubt if this "gold" theory is NATURAL HUMAN INSTINCS. We all know that there are places in Africa where the GOLD theory just WOULD NOT hold up. But anyway, I thought this was an interesting reply:

There is a discussion of this news at PhysOrgForum entitled: Tan is "In" The first post is : On 29-Sep-2006 by samlehmanwilzig
http://www.physorg.com/news78679968.html

The real question is whether the preference for light brown is culturally related or part of innate human evolutionary psychology. Two points regarding the first possibility. Before the 19th century, white was considered high status because it meant that the person did not have to work in the field. By the 20th century dark tan was high status because now it meant that the person could afford the leisure of suntanning and wasn"t working in an office 365/24/7. Second issue is methodological: the item here does not report whether (although one assumes) the study was undertaken in the U.S. alone. Perhaps in the Middle East or Africa "white" is preferable? (Just as for Swedes, "exotic" brunette is preferable because almost everyone is blonde!)
On the other hand, this light brown "tan" preference might be "inherent" in our species for reasons that need to be investigated. Just as research has shown there to be an "ideal" female body size/shape (across cultures) for evolutionary reasons (fertility), so too skin coloration might have "mating" ramifications.
It"s too bad that this study focused on the trivial "marketing" aspects of skin color and not the larger questions.
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Nels
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Posted on Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 03:25 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Naturally bronze hues; "not" light or golden brown. Those are the color shades that many people, especially fair-skinned folks desire most.
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Cynique
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Posted on Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 09:52 am:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

What's the difference between "bronze" and "golden brown", nels?? Bronze may have little overtones of red, but then that taints it. An unconscious perception that golden-tan skin is a personification of the sun - the radiant heavenly body around which our earth rotates might fit into what seems to be a natural affinity for this hue. And the thing about golden skin is that it may not be considered desireable by all races, but neither is it found to be repulsive to them. It is universally inoffensive.
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Moonsigns
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Posted on Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 12:36 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Whites and Blacks (alike) adore "golden" skin. They favor it and desire it. Period.


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Nolanfane
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Posted on Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 12:57 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Yeah cause blacks are colorstruck and was taught by white slavers to hate their own skin, right Moonsigns?

You aint claiming we brought that shit from Africa with us are you now white sista?



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Moonsigns
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Posted on Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 01:03 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Simmer down, Nolanfane. I did not comment on the reasoning or my opinion as to why this is --but it "is". Therefore, I'll leave it up to you to get your feet "wet" in this discussion --because it's been debated a zillion times here before.

At this point in time, I'm more than content to just sit back and read the responses that follow! And if I want to throw my two pennies in the mix --I'll do so.

Cheers!

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Mzuri
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Posted on Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 01:07 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Yeah NOLANFAGGOT - simmer the fuck down!!! n00b!!!
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Nolanfane
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Posted on Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 01:10 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Mzuri it's not our fault you got AIDS from your faggoty azz father.

Check the bitterness cuzz it's ugly as hell on a female.

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Cynique
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Posted on Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 01:43 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

U oughta know...........kola. snicker.
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Nolanfane
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Posted on Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 02:14 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Yeah Cynique. That DEMENTIA keeps you snickering and seeing things all the time don't it?

Snicker.




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Cynique
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Posted on Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 02:24 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Nope. The snicker is an indication of how amused I am by your pathetic masquerade, kola. I'm surpised you can't figure that out. You really are gettin dumb.
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Nolanfane
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Posted on Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 02:27 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Kola's getting dumb!?????

LMFAO!!!!!

If only you could picture my choco-lat linebacker razor stubble look'n azz with intelligent sista-girl secretary bringing me a pastrami staring into this screen you would see who is really dumb.

That's yo ass.

I started a thread about you too cuzz you got mental health issues granny.





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Misty
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Posted on Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 04:51 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

this is what i was talking aobut in that other thread about a month ago on brown tan being the new standard.
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Misty
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Posted on Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 05:09 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

one reason people may desire the light brown tone is because it could go either way if the weather has a drastic change...it would be good for both surviving the heat and cold.
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Tonya
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Posted on Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 05:22 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

Let's not forget that we don't live in a bubble, people. This is an "American" phenomenon. Visit places like Cuba, China and India where paler skin tones are worshipped and you'd see the difference!
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Misty
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Posted on Thursday, October 05, 2006 - 05:54 pm:   Delete Post View Post/Check IP Print Post    Ban Poster IP (Moderator/Admin only)

but tonya if you notice something its only in countries dominated by peole of color where this pale standard is considered the ideal.

in european countries tan and light brown are seen as more attractive the same as in america. as ive said over and over before white people never completely fllowed thier own beauty standards that they set up for everyone else to follow.

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