It's hard to forget the ugly and disturbing Psychology Today article “Why Are Black Women Less Physically Attractive Than Other Women?” written by psychologist Satoshi Kanazawa -- believe us, we've tried.
But while most people who read the article got mad, Paul Phillips decided to get busy.
The Harlem-based photographer has set out to create “Beauty In Black,” a coffee table book filled with images celebrating the beauty and spirit of black women -- artistic proof that black truly is beautiful.
Phillips, who studied under legendary photographer Irving Penn, plans to travel around the country in order to capture a diverse sampling of women.
“I want to photograph black women from different places -- with all ages, shades, shapes, sizes and hair textures,” Phillips told HuffPost Black Voices.
With all the recent poking and prodding of black women, it's refreshing to see a positive project come out of all the attention.
It’s particularly powerful to see a man spearheading the effort. Phillips is setting out to defend the honor of black women by dispelling the hurtful and erroneous ideas about them that are often accepted as truth.
“I was raised by a strong black woman and I’m married to a strong black woman. So when I hear discouraging things about black women it disturbs me because I know they are wrong,” Phillips said.
Creating a book may seem small, but it’s a significant step towards changing those widespread negative perceptions.
In order to undertake such a big project and complete it in a year, Phillips is looking to raise $10,000. So far he has secured $2,000 through private donations, but has started to use public fund raising sites to make up the difference.
But "Beauty In Black's" 30-day Kickstarter site expires in three days--and since it's an all-or-nothing hub Phillips won't receive any of the money raised if he doesn’t make the full goal by March 3.
So, in the coming days Phillips plans to transfer his efforts to a similar fundraising site, IndieGoGo, and begin hosting events to further support the project. The first will be held Thursday night at the Blue Violin lounge in Harlem. With a bit of buzz and a $20 cover charge, Phillips hopes to put a dent in his goal.
“I really want young girls to have a book they can go to and say 'This is what beauty is,' rather than having other people define it for them,” said Phillips.
We’re bummed we didn’t hear about this project earlier -- but better late than never.
To learn more about "Beauty in Black" and/or make a donation contact Sheri Collins at sheri@hollisgroup.net.
Here's a look at some of Phillips' past work and a taste of what we can expect from "Beauty In Black."
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It's hard to forget the ugly and disturbing Psychology Today article “Why Are Black Women Less Physically Attractive Than Other Women?” written by psychologist Satoshi Kanazawa -- believe us, we'v...
It's hard to forget the ugly and disturbing Psychology Today article “Why Are Black Women Less Physically Attractive Than Other Women?” written by psychologist Satoshi Kanazawa -- believe us, we'v...
But it's because so, so many black women opt to wear fake long straight hair, that is similar to the white people's hair - ironic because black women so often find prejudice with and combat white women - that its surprising that so many black women do not embrace and celebrate their black roots (hair).
sylkol: But it's because so, so many black women opt to
As I am reading these post one thing I want to say. We don't know for sure if whether some famous black women (in this case Beyonce and Nicki Minaj) are bleaching their skin. May be they are and may be they aren't. But to argue that these two AREN'T is silly. You don't know WHAT these rich women are doing behind closed doors unless you were there and you know them personally. In my opinion, I wouldn't be surprised if they have bleached their skin already, given their lifestyle and careers.
KayAch7: As I am reading these post one thing I want
Most people in general are not attractive - had never heard this specifically about black women - free yourselves from ignorance and anger and love who you are!
aralpharetta: Most people in general are not attractive - had never
Mentioning skin whitening below people should realize that the procedure is a multi million dollar business throughout South East Asia and South America. The closer you are to the European phenotype in South Asian and South American countries, the more physically beautiful you are considered to be. Insecurity runs rampant through these societies as well.
DeloresLongo: Mentioning skin whitening below people should realize that the procedure
I don't know if it's insecurity as much as it is resignation. Many women realize that with lighter skin comes increased opportunities. Those perks make a economic impact so great that it constitutes an incentive to lighten your skin even if you're happy with the way you look.
bintalshamsa: I don't know if it's insecurity as much as it
Some assume that if a black person doesn't fit the Afrotypic prototoype, they can't be black. That's foolish, so I am happy to see this header photo acknowledging black women of varying hues and textures.
GirlInNYC: Some assume that if a black person doesn't fit the
David, sadly, that's true. However, I think that black people are much better about this than they were in the past. It's a two-way street, though. Those who are outside of the "Afrotypic prototype" need to be sure not to purposely take advantage of the way that society privileges them above the others in our community. In other words, we need to have each other's backs.
bintalshamsa: David, sadly, that's true. However, I think that black people
I can't imagine how Satoshi Kanazawa got his Ph.D. He ought to know that there's a strong subjective standard to beauty. And because of the omnipresence of media, and because that media is overwhelmingly biased toward white standards of beauty over other standards, one would have to go somewhere that the media doesn't reach to find people whose standards of beauty hadn't been corrupted by media.
Judging by his name I would guess he's of Japanese descent. Doesn't he realize that his own standards of beauty would have been far different if he had lived in Japan back before they had ever seen a European?
Crisdean_Wulver: I can't imagine how Satoshi Kanazawa got his Ph.D. He
To rate beauty on a scale of 1 to 10, based soley on degree of pigmentation or ethnic features, is one of the most blind and stupid things I've ever heard of. As one who draws portraits, I've seen the beautiful and not-so-beautiful in absolutely every hue and ethnicity known to man. I find beauty to be highly individual and very diverse, not collective. No single group has an exclusive lock on either beauty or plainness
Latino is not a distinctive racial or ethnic grouping. What exactly is Latino? Is it unmixed spanish European, or is it a blend of the different races and ethnicities that inhabit South America? If it is the former, well you might as well use the term mulatto because we are discussing physical characteristics. If it is the latter than the combination Latina/Negra is an oxymoron, since negra is already existent in Latina.
Shimakuna: Latino is not a distinctive racial or ethnic grouping. What
Nope. That's not what I see at all. I see how wonderfully diverse and culturally rich the world seems when we contemplate the intersections of race, ethnicity, and culture.
bintalshamsa: Nope. That's not what I see at all. I see
Well then would it not be oxymoronic to suggest that the physical mating of a Latino/Latina and a Negro would produce a racially or ethnically mixed child. If Latino is a linguistic and cultural group, then the mating of a Latina and a negro can simply be two black spanish speaking individuals, or two mixed spanish speaking individuals, and so on and so forth, coming together in sexual union.
I am culturally universal, and recognize no limits in the union of hearts and emotions. I become cognitively dissonant however, when these made up descriptions are used to suggest that there is some specific physical characteristic that indentifies a Latino, or a Hispanic, etc, etc, etc. It is akin to saying one of ones' parents was southern and the other was Mexican in oreder to describe one's ethnic or racial mixture.
Shimakuna: Well then would it not be oxymoronic to suggest that
I will check out the library, after reading and enjoying the pictures, I will then determine if I want to purchase it. That is my standard method of purchasing all books, and many dvd's. People need to appreciate the value of libraries!
Havana_Thinks: I will check out the library, after reading and enjoying
Skin whitening is much more prevalent in South East Asian countries and throughout South America. Skin whitening is a multi million dollar business in India and Spanish speaking countries where light/white skin, straight hair and thin noses are preferable.
DeloresLongo: Skin whitening is much more prevalent in South East Asian
Why are you stereotyping all black women based on what a few do? Sound like you have many problems too. Like you inability to see black women as individuals.
dimplesmile7: Why are you stereotyping all black women based on what
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First Posted: 03/ 1/2012 8:55 am Updated: 03/ 1/2012 1:43 pm