Beauty And Beauty: The Definitions Of Beauty

Million-dollar beauty and fashion industries both shape and depend on the cult-like worship of what physical attributes the public sees as beautiful. In result, most women feel the effects of those decisions (Dawson 1). Definitions of beauty in the 20th century, when referring to human physical beauty, are nearly always constructed in terms of outward appearance and sexual attractiveness (Wood 1). According to Merriam-Webster dictionary, Beauty is defined as “the quality of being physically attractive.” Standards of beauty today dictate expectations for women, men, children and ethnic minority groups across the board (Mainstream Standards 2). ⅔ of women strongly agree that physical attractiveness is about how one looks whereas beauty includes

The debate over skin color and its painful origins dates back to the days of slavery, when lighter skin often equaled a better overall quality of life (Beyoncé and the myth 1). For eons, Black women have been expressively by mainstream society that they are in no way equal to that of their white counterpart (Knight 1). In slavery days, African Americans were separated by using the method of the “Brown Paper Bag”. Those of lighter complexion or equal to the brown paper bag were considered as “in house negroes”. They were thought to be better suited to achieve intelligent tasks because of their skin color. Whereas those of darker skin tones were “field negroes” who were given manual labor or less intelligent tasks. Darker African Americans were treated like animals. Their skin color was considered as dirty and impure. They were unable to learn how to read or have any form of education. If a slave was found reading, or a master found out that the slave could read, the slave would be killed or whipped. Learning about slavery in schools today, with the racism and unfairness toward African Americans can still influence how African Americans view

Female entertainers, tend to have light skin and hair made longer with hair extensions (Ware 4). In 2008, L’Oréal received criticism for displaying ads with Beyoncé that seemed to digitally lighten her complexion while editing her nose to appear slimmer (Beyoncé and the myth 1). In her hit song, "Creole," Beyoncé Knowles sings about her Creole heritage and being an attractive combination of "red bone" and "yellow bone" (terms that refer to light-skinned Black women). In result, it seemed that those with European features received favor, more opportunities, and were considered more attractive than those of darker skinned complexion.
Film Producer Bill Duke produced a documentary “Dark Girls” which explained the lives Dark Skinned African Americans whose skin complexion had no match at the cosmetic counter. The documentary also explains the painful experiences that women were turned away as unattractive and unworthy based on mainstream ideals of beauty. Duke explains the confusion in the African American community and suggests that the message would bring low- self-esteem and rejections among future generations (Beyoncé and the myth