In many parts of the world, people are judged not just by their skin color but also by their skin tone. The devaluing of dark-skinned women, which is discussed in the documentary "Dark Girls," is something that hits close to home for African-American actresses in Hollywood as well.
For Alfre Woodard, Viola Davis, Phylicia Rashad and Gabrielle Union, the light skin vs. dark skin debate is one that is still prevalent in the entertainment industry, which they discuss on an episode of "Oprah's Next Chapter."
Oprah asks, "Is that still a major part of the way people think in this town?"
"Absolutely," Davis responds.
"In this town and in our community," Woodard adds.
Oprah then brings up something that [the woman] had shared with her earlier about being discouraged from auditioning for certain roles. "There were times when even your own people… would say, 'No, you can't go for that role because that's for the cute black girl," she says.
"I've gotten that," Davis admits. "I still feel like that's what we're fighting -- healing from the past. I think that it affects everything that we do. It affects our relationships. It affects our art."
"But that comes from us," Oprah points out.
"That's what I'm saying," Davis responds. "We haven't healed from that. We just haven't."
Rashad jumps in. "Well, Lord, goodness. How long is it going to take?"
"Oprah's Next Chapter" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on OWN.
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