Blog 2, Option #3

Blog 2 Option #3:

Stereotypes are a prominent existence within our society. They seem to get drilled into people’s minds and control how particular individuals are viewed or treated. In Their Eyes were Watching God by Zora Hurston, stereotyping plays a big role in how individuals in the novel are perceived. The community deems one of the main characters within the novel, Janie, very attractive. She lives in a black community and stands out by having lighter skin and having long straight black hair. The hair seems to be a symbol for the stereotype that “light” qualities are more attractive. The community is constantly lured in by Janie’s beautiful hair and it is a topic brought up repeatedly throughout the novel, as they “envy her physical beauty, particularly her long straight hair” (Hurston 4). Not only is this a stereotype within the novel, but also it exists daily in our society. “Light qualities” being viewed as more attractive is leading to criticism for “promoting the dangerous practice of skin bleaching” (Hamad 1). It’s sad that people are going through such extreme measures just because of the stereotypes and attraction individuals seem to attribute to something as silly as skin tone.

According to the Daily Life News, “two-thirds of Nigerian men saying they would prefer a lighter skinned wife” (Hamad 1). This deems applicable in Their Eyes were Watching God, as the black men are very attracted to Janie for her lighter attributes. The news article and novel share similarities in the typecast that light skin is more desirable. The article discusses many of the insecurities, labels, and drastic measure that individuals often go through due to having dark skin. In the novel, Janie’s husband, Jody, wants her to cover up her hair. He made up his mind that “her hair was NOT going to show in the store” (Hurston 55). Her “white girl” hair is regarded as sexy and he doesn’t want other men looking at her.

Overall, I think it is very sad that individuals for whatever reason feel the need to put these stereotypes on something as puerile as hair type and skin color. The news article and novel are both evidence it is way too prominent in our society. Skin color and hair type shouldn’t define attractiveness, so lets just ditch these stereotypes and views once and for all!

Article: http://www.dailylife.com.au/news-and-views/dl-culture/why-the-obsession-with-lighter-skin-20140203-31wil.html