Hi,
Today you got upset with a lady that did not like her own race but said nothing to the same race lady saying she did not like whites, I am from the uk and love all people but I live in the south of the usa and can not beleave how every one acts to each other, we are all gods people and if we could see past colour there would be a lot less trouble, mush love sarah

Before 7am, there were many people who didn't get what this show was about, as well as Britney & a few others here. Yes, it is ok to express how you feel & how you think this relates to you, yet this was about an issue that is not talked about much, but exists in the Black community. (Whether you are Black or not is another show. I'm sure Tyra will do that one.) Just read some of the very first comments... anyone having a critical thing to say about Tyra, REALLY DID NOT GET THIS SHOW.

Tyra, I really hate the racial issues within our own race. My Husband family experience the same treatment within the family. My mother-in-law has been treated differently by her own mother because she is the dark one in the family. The worst part about this situation is that it is the same treatment toward the grand kids by their grand parents. I think that this is crazy. This is a reason my husband, his brother and their mother stay their distance from those members of the family. They still love those members of the family, however it's not as much interaction.
I just had a baby and even though my daughter is fairly light, the youngest grand child before my daughter is 9 and her mother is one of the favorites,however, I feel that they won't accept my daughter as much because she is the grandchild of the unfavored daughter. I know this to be true by the grandmother not attending the baby shower, not visiting the baby in the hospital and not seeing the baby until I took her around the corner to their home for the grandmother to see her. One aunt came to the hospital for "five" minutes to see the baby, other than that they didn't see the baby until I brought her around. There are many other stories that relate to this issue that is really sad. I pray that one day we can all see that black is black and what make us unique is that we come in all shapes and sizes. It's enough pressure in the world by other folks for us to bring more pressure amongst ourselves.

Hi tyra i am a darksinned female and have lightskinned sisters one of them always thought she was better than me and still do because of the lighter skin.When we were younger she would always tease me about my color.Today I am a very proud mother with my lightskinned fiance while she's having men problems today i knpw i am a beautiful black woman who is proud of who i am

why is it that the lighter people get blamed for what stupid people did to the black people 200 years ago...

Hey Tyra,
Your show today was so educational for me. I am a white woman living in Idaho. Growing up there wern't a lot of black people in my school just because of where I live. I had a couple of very good friends that are black and I remember thinking that race wasn't an issue until I told my mom I was going out on a date with one of them. She told me that that was fine but that I didn't want to get serious because marrying a black man would be more difficult than marrying a white man because of cultural differences. I was so offended that she would say that. My mom is a good woman who doesn't think of herself as being racist. She grew up in a time when that was the normal view of adults she was around. I had never heard her say anything to make me think she might think that way but after that comment we have had many talks about her childhood in Hayward,CA and the things she was taught about the black community by white adults she was around. I am grateful I grew up in a community that was so colorblind because now I have formed opinions about people not because of color or race but by treatment of others. I think education really is the key. The mother of that black boy I dated Goes to my church. I love that she can tell us all that she is black and it's OK to call her black. As I white woman I would never want to offend anyone so it helps to know why certain things are not OK to say because of the history behind certain words or phrases. I never knew the "n" word was offensive until high school because I heard it in songs and from my friends black and white and I didn't know the history behind it. Now that I do I can't imagine ever saying that to anyone. I am grateful that the world is changing. I hope someday our children will be able to say "racism, whats that?"

Hey Tyra,

My name is Ciara, I watch your show everyday at work! What I would like to say is, as blacks we have enough against us already! We should not dicriminate against oneanother. I think that it's ridiculous of how we treat each other.
When I was younger and even now; my mother, my sister, and my 2 brothers are all light skinned, and as a child people would always say: "That's not your mother, she's way lighter than you". So when they would see my siblings it would get worse. To be honest I'm not really that dark! But it would really hurt when people would tell me that my family is not my family. I would get made fun of because kids would tell me that my younger sister was prettier than me just because she was light skinned. And I was shocked because it was the black kids that did it.
I had a really bad complex about my skin color. There were days that i would just look into a mirror and cry. Because, I truely believed that I was ugly and my dark skin was ugly. My mom worked really hard to make me feel that I was beautiful. It took a while but, I know now that I beautiful as a matter a fact I'm FINE! LOL.
I think that it's great that you brought this issue to light! Like I said we have enough dicrimination agaist as a people, we shouldn't dicriminate against our own! We as a whole need to stick together. And like you said on the show today that makes those white slave owners happy. Because they put that hatred into us.

Hey Tyra,
I watched your show today and it reminded me of when I was in school. Light skinned people used to catch all kinds of h***. I am white and I just couldn't figure out why the girls and guys talked about each other. Finally one day I ask one of the girls I was friends with why they fought over their skin color? She told me that the darker people didn't like them because they were lighter. And some of the lighter people would pick on them and tell them that they were so dark that they just looked so ashy. Well I would be angry too if people talked about me.
I see why the lighter people caught so much h***. They gave the darker ones a reason to be mad and talk about them. I look at it this way. It does not matter whether you are light or dark you are the same because the same color runs through your veins. It doesn't matter what color you are. I have seen first hand colored women (light and dark) that are very beautiful!
Tyra you are a beautiful strong woman! Keep it going girl!

Hi Tyra
I just watched the show on do light skinned women have it easier and I'm very upset at the fact that we "Black People" have to hate or segregate ourselves by the shade of our skin. We have so many other people out there that are putting us down and making it easier for us to hate ourselves. Why are we the only group of people that don't celebrate our culture and embrace what we have to offer? We need as a people to collectively build one another up and embrace what attributes we have to offer instead of concentrating on something so miniscule as "ugh she light and think she all that, or she black and her lips all big" Our fight is bigger than that! If we don't keep fueling the machine of racism, especially from within it won't work!

Your "light skinned sista"
Tanesa

Interesting topic ....I'm white and would like to be a little darker..because theres nothing uglier than ghost white legs in the winter time.

Too bad that we have to live in this kind of world, when their are so many other different important matters at hand for man kind to overcome..... black people, are human just like white are...and yes I would date a black woman...just incase your wondering Tyra.

Regards

Earl

This is an issue that i talk about very often, and is very dear to my heart not only because of the hate I've experienced by my own race of people as a young child because I am a dark skin black woman, but because of the images that are portrayed on the videos of the artists we love. All the videos have light skinned women, the lighter the better, but if you're mixed that's even better than light skin. It's like we don't love ourselves, because most black men like either light skinned women or mixed women, or women of a whole other race. They say that black women and asian men are the least dated of all the races.

Also, on the highest rated show on BET, 106 & Park, you would think they would have a beautiful black woman for the little black girls to look up to so that they feel beautiful too, but they have a spanish girl. I don't understand?

Anyway, back to the subject, I have people tell me all the time that I am beautiful for a dark skinned woman and I don't even accept that as a compliment because to me it's a compliment and an insult all in one. It upsets me that someone would still make a comment like that in 2008 or even still think that in their minds, I wonder will we ever get past this color issue within our own race, it's ridiculous.

Interesting topic ....I'm white and would like to be a little darker..because theres nothing uglier than ghost white legs in the winter time.

Too bad that we have to live in this kind of world, when their are so many other different important matters at hand for man kind to overcome..... black people, are human just like white are...and yes I would date a black woman...just incase your wondering Tyra.

Regards

Earl

TYRA, I HATE THE RACIAL ISSUES WITHIN OUR OWN RACE!!!!!!! My Husband family experience the same treatment within the family. My mother-in-law has been treated differently by her own mother because she is the dark one in the family. The worst part about this situation is that it is the same treatment toward the grand kids by their grand parents. I think that this is crazy. This is a reason my husband, his brother and their mother stay their distance from those members of the family. They still love those members of the family, however it's not as much interaction.
I just had a baby and even though my daughter is fairly light, the youngest grand child before my daughter is 9 and her mother is one of the favorites,however, I feel that they won't accept my daughter as much because she is the grandchild of the unfavored daughter. I know this to be true by the grandmother not attending the baby shower, not visiting the baby in the hospital and not seeing the baby until I took her around the corner to their home for the grandmother to see her. One aunt came to the hospital for "five" minutes to see the baby, other than that they didn't see the baby until I brought her around. There are many other stories that relate to this issue that is really sad. I pray that one day we can all see that black is black and what make us unique is that we come in all shapes and sizes. It's enough pressure in the world by other folks for us to bring more pressure amongst ourselves.

Hello Tyra,
First let me start by saying your show is so incredibly awesome and I have been a fan of yours since you played Will Smith's friend Jackie from Philly on Fresh Prince. I am 27 years old and I have two younger sisters, one who is super white like myself and one that is darker. We always get asked if the darker sister is adopted or does she have a different father than me and my lighter sister. We always joke around about it and say "she is the milkman's baby". If anything I would love to be able to tan the way she does, but being that I and my youngest sister have more Pollish in us and my other sister is more Native American, We get burned. I have a sister in law that is what her husband likes to call is "Blasian" because she black and Asian, I think she is absolutley gorgeous. I guess it could be in the white community too, but reversed. I get joked on because I am TOO white. Another funny thing is when people asked me my name, and I say Genelle, their like "Thats a black girl name". I love my name and I have only met one other white girl named Genelle. I think that people need to stop thinking that they are better or better looking because of some silly, ridiculous things such as skin color or your name. We need to concentrate on being individuals and not as colors and name.

Thank You, I think you are the "Oparh" for my generation. Thank you for being you, and what you do and stand for.
Lots of Love from Central Va
Genelle

Hey again,
Just read a post left by "Jennifer" - please keep in mind that African-American's don't want to be seen as raceless, just like everyone else. What SHOULD be emphasized is the fact that each and every culture should be respected and equalized, but their histories should be recognized and respected as well. I think it's pretty clear that everyone has their own culture and ethnicity that contributes to who they are as a human being, and we can't pretend it isn't there. It's the diversities on the planet that keep it interesting, so let's respect them to promote solidarity across all cultures

Hey,
My name is Jessica, and im half black half white. My dad is polish and my mother is native american, jamacin , and french. I wouldn't classify myself as light skinned... becuase im a person. And I loathe that I'm always being judge on my skin color.
Growing up was tough. I grew up in an all black school.I was picked on because i wasn't as dark. I didnt talk the "slang", so they thought i wanted to be "white". Honestly i just dont talk ghetto. I dont because i grew up speaking proper english. I have and Older brother and sister who darkskinned. I never thought we were different. We have dif fathers but they are still my brother and sister and i love them dearly.
My boyfriend is white, and he doesnt have a problem with me. He thinks im beautiful and he tells me everyday. HIs family had a problem with it.. they classified me as "black" and im not. IM jessia. and i hate when people do that to anyone. I take a high offense to that because we should be classified as people.
Its scary in a way.I just want to feel accepted and i dont. Im 18 and its struggle within myself that i still dont understand. it hurts.

hello, tyra. my name is tanyka baker. by the way i love to watch your show. today's show was very insteresting. skin color has never been a big thing to me. to be honest. a person's outside look as far as the color of their skin color, hair, just the way they look period on the outside doesn't mean they should be judge. my ideal of beauty is within. a person's inside beauty is important. if you are beautiful on the inside, you are more beautiful on the outside and those that is being ugly on the inside, ugly is what most people see on the outside of them and that's just how i see it. thank you for your time. you have a blessful day. love ya.

Wow. I just finished watching the show & decided to check out the blog. AT 9:42AM, BRITNEY wrote a comment that shows how she has proven what she was trying to deny. NO, THIS SHOW WAS NOT ABOUT WHITE PEOPLE. IT'S JUST AS TYRA WAS TRYING TO SHOW YOU. THIS IS A TOPIC ABOUT THE SHADE OF SKIN & ITS EFFECTS IN THE BLACK COMMUNITY. NO, THIS IS NOT AN ATTACK OR WAY TO BE AGAINST WHITES. We're not concerned with being against White people. This topic is what it is. Guess you saw what you wanted to see and hear what you wanted to hear.

Hey Tyra.. I'm 16 years old and i watch your show everyday..i saw your show today and it really got me thinking. I've been told that i was "pretty for a dark skin"
but i've also been told that i would be prettier if i was a little lighter. Personally, I love my dark skin but because of comments that i received from people being told i was SOO BLACK i have been tempted to use skin lighteners but your show today showed me that my skin color doesn't bother and i don't see my self as that dark i have beautiful features and think i am beautiful the way i am and a lighter shade isn't going to make me any different.

Another thing is a comment that one of your guest said about light skins girls being stuck up and thinking their better than people, and dark skins being easier to approach. When i am approached by a guy or i am talking to them and i don't give in to them they often comment that i shouldn't play hard to get because i am dark skin and i shouldn't try to "act" like a " light skin" girl which i find REALLY stupid. Guys shouldn't try to talk to dark skin girls because they are "easy".

Also, I don't think skin tone should really affects people attitudes, but often times it does. I know a girl i go to school with who has admitted they think they are better than me because she was light skin. I'm not saying ALL light skins think they are better because of their complexion, but many do and carry themselves this way.

Today I enjoyed your show (as I always do) because the things that were said were sooo true... but I was gasping for air when Ms. Ignorant expressed her opinions... it is her right as an American to have an opinion, but who was she raised by? Slave owners? If she has any parents they should be ashamed of the garbage they produced... I guess I am so upset because my fist love was a very light-skinned individual. We were together for 3 years before I ever met his mom and when I did she had the same attitude as your guest this morning.... she would not let us be together peacefully and now he's in jail... I can't help but to believe if she had of let him be his own person he would be here today... when we were together he was trying to get into the federal government and now prison... She really needs to wake up... that woman on your show today will see the error of her ways when she needs a dark-skinned person for a life or death purpose... and then it'll be too late because all of america now knows that a "darkie" can't do anything for her.... I hope her son continues to live the way he is until he can get away from that kind of ignorance....

I am a 22 year old light skinned woman from Washington, DC, and I have encountered racism from my own race and other races. I am of mixed heritage, but when it comes time to feel out a job application, I always check black! I have been called white girl, n**ger, redbone, casper, honkey, and cracka! It hurts a lot! I have even encountered this from my own family. I have had people come up to me when I would be out with my cousins, sisters, mom, or dad, and they would ask me if I was adopted or part of another race. I have two older sisters, and I am the lightest out of the three of us. I use to wish I was darker just so I could fit in somewhere! Light skin people have a difficult time finding there place in their own race. Sometimes I feel I don't fit with the African American race because I'm not dark enough. Most of my friends are darker than me. I identify better with darker skin people. I don't really feel like I fit with light skin women. I am currently dating a dark skin black man whose silky, rich skin tone I love! People assume because I am light skin that I am stuck up or full of myself when I am actually very sweet and open to everything. I love meeting new people of any race or color!

Hello Tyra, my name is Kiyanna, I am 18 years old and i think different shades of skin tone matter in the world today...growning up i was always the one getting picked on. I had an older cousin who would love to play in make-up and give make overs well...she never chose me to give a make over to because i was darker then her so she would chose her other friends or my sister because my sister was lighter than me. So as i got older i have this low self asteem... i now am engaged and i feel as if i need to always have make up on around my fiance and when i tell him that i dont feel right showing my true self to him he tells me that i am the one for him and nothing going to change that... growning up and listening to my cousin tell me i was always to dark hurt to the point i want let anyone see me without make-up... so yes skin tone is an issue that us afican americans are facing

Hey everyone,

I just finished watching today's show, and I was really surprised to see the division that occurs within the African-American population. As a white Canadian, I wasn't aware of the race conflict that goes on within this culture.

I wanted to say a BIG "thank-you" to the show for bringing this issue forward for the vast audience that the show has, and giving me further insight into a cultural group that I'm always eager to learn more about according to the truth. It's pretty clear that an accurate representation of black men and women in North America is invisibilized or misrepresented within most media sources, and it was really great to get a far more honest look with today's show.

I hope that this show's message helps to dissolve some of the racial barriers that exist between various cultures, and within cultures. Although I may not have first-hand experience with the struggles black women face because of their race and cultural backgrounds, I was very moved by the knowledge I gained by watching today's show. Please don't let your skin-colour or culture hold you back. Each and every man and woman has the power to become whatever they are determined to become, so long as they persue it according to justice and truth. Find your justice, and find your truth, and you can achieve anything. Racism is a mythology that needs to be abolished inside and outside of cultures. Let's break the myth, acknowledge and accept the differences, and join together under a world of acceptance.

Okay Miss Britney... I am usually a pretty quiet person, but you crossed they line. I will stand up for you in the fact that Jean said the show wasn't about caucasions, they were included in the light skin... Hello the one chic on the end Jean was white... hmmm...did you watch the show. As for you Britney, you do not come onto Miss Tyra's page and tell her that this show was a round about way of bashing whites...

Hello, she stood up for all races, if it was about bashing whites, then you think she's have a white girl on the set... I DON'T THINK SO... My goodness girl, Tyra don't bash any race, I mean come on, she get her own crap to handle cuz she lighter than her brother.

Not to mention, if you such a Tyra fan, you watch America's Next Top Model??? Some white girls have won it!!! Obviously one more thing to show, hmmm Tyra AGAINST whites... I DON'T THINK SO HONEY. Now, she said today also, that let's see what was that line...oh yeah... "I MAKE IT A POINT TO HAVE GIRLS OF ALL COLORS ON THAT SHOW" Sure don't sound to me like you got your facts straight so before you start bashing people of another color...Now I am a christian and I love that the Lord gave us people of other colors to test our capability of love and to teach us not to place boundaries on love, but you got to find some boundaries for your mouth...BEFORE YOU START BASHING TYRA AND TALKING DOWN TO ONE OF THE MOST LOOKED UP TO WOMEN...THINK AGAIN HONEY...She more equal than what you are... It's all about the whites...NO... You are the perfect example of what needs to change...

Hey Tyra! Hi all!

I haven't even seen today's show about the darker and lighter skin color that I already have to put my grain of salt on the matter. :)

I'm Asian but have love for people of all colors. My fiance is black and all my friends are white and black. People should not be judged by the color of their skin but by their character.

The difference of tone of skin is done also in the Asian world. I've seen it and it happens to me also. It is ridiculous. Have you heard that a Chinese would hate to be mistaken for a Korean? Or a Japanese as a Philipino? Or Vietnamese as a Cambodian? We are judged by the shapes of our eyes (what we call "double eyelid" for the big eyes and "single eyelid" for the very small eyes), our hair (nappy or straight hair), our weight, and our skin tone. We should all be united, especially in our own community.

Tyra, you were so right to do this show. We should be helping each other, instead of kicking each other down.

Much love to all of you,
Sophie