Changing Perceptions and Evaluations of Physical Characteristics among Blacks: 1950-1970

Abstract

FOR MOST BLACKS the idea that is beautiful is a simple statement of fact.' For black Americans, pride in themselves and their culture, so long smothered in a predominantly white society, is now a pervasive reality.2 There is often, however, no clear program or substance to the idea of thinking black and, consequently, it is difficult, possibly even irrelevant to attempt to measure its pervasiveness. Despite the difficulties, one cross-sectional study has shown that darker skinned blacks now have more advantages, rather than disadvantages, in status and mate selection.3 This paper examines changing images of physical characteristics among young blacks living in an all-black, low-income community. The changes involve perceptions and evaluations of skin color, hair style and facial features. Replication of a 1950 study on the significance of color will provide a rough but useful measure of some of the effects of the increasing sense of racial pride in the black community.