tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199038920161794698.post8427037201792694567..comments2024-03-17T03:19:46.208-04:00Comments on Color Online: A Reader's Response & Invitation: The Bluest EyeColor Onlinehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15062017327837729986noreply@blogger.comBlogger3125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199038920161794698.post-25370204728443311502009-12-31T07:19:41.131-05:002009-12-31T07:19:41.131-05:00I haven't read the Bluest Eye, although I did ...I haven't read the Bluest Eye, although I did read Toni Morrison's Beloved (heartbreaking). The only comment I can make is in response to a previous comment. <br /><br />Personally, I'm glad that on TV and in movies we are beginning to see more variety of what's considered beautiful. Thanks to women like Beyonce, Oprah, Eva Longoria, (now I realize this is just a beginning - a small beginning) we are seeing more poc women as beautiful. <br /><br />Ironically, while I was growing up I was surrounded by dark-brown eyed siblings with skin darker than mine. My eyes are blue. I always felt ugly in comparison to my siblings and my mother's friend's children. My skin is paler than theirs (not a good thing in my opinion - the blushes, the reddening skin as I get older, etc.) The children at school (mostly hispanic) are always telling me I have beautiful eyes, and I'm always answering back that I think their eyes are stunning. <br /><br />Some of this is perspective. It's a shame when we, no matter what color we are, aren't happy with how we look and try to change things. Things that should not be changed like skin color and eye color. <br /><br />But it's perpective again, when I was younger I would have given anything to look more like my brothers and sister. I even used to put my hair (always a mixture of curly and straight hair) in many braids, so I could have frizzy hair. it's a huge coincidence (or is it?) that now I have two sons who have light skin but "nappy" hair. when they let their hair grow, it comes out very thick, extremely kinky,and coarse and falls naturally into a cross between dreadlocks and tight curls. I always thought their hair was beautiful. They like their hair, but admit that it's very hard to take care of. <br /><br />I can relate (although I disagree with the feeling) to women who wish they looked different. They want to look more "caucasion", while I wished I looked more like whatever my heritage is supposed to be (Central American, Carribean, Native American-of the Panamanian variety, and Scottish) <br /><br />With all the wishing I looked more like the rest of my family, I often felt left out of my family (still do). My mom always treated me a little more harshly. Her mom always treated her more harshly because she was the lightest of her family. For the longest time I thought there was something wrong with being light. Later I found out that her mom treated her like that because she would have been too spoiled by everyone for passing as "white", (her siblings are all darker). My mom treated me like that because ....I don't know-maybe cause that's how she learned to mother the light kid.<br /><br />Now I need to read the book. To see if any of the book has anything to do with my feelings or my mom's experiences.Mardelhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00063358136590143066noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199038920161794698.post-72136124818797891222009-12-29T18:22:11.060-05:002009-12-29T18:22:11.060-05:00Where is the love? 2 comments? No one has anything...Where is the love? 2 comments? No one has anything to say? Can we end the year with a bang.<br /><br />Speak up here, January's post and the Ari's as well.<br /><br />Thanks,susanhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14924982664582970754noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-199038920161794698.post-83171046389591709932009-12-29T04:35:29.192-05:002009-12-29T04:35:29.192-05:00This was my first "grown up" book. I rea...This was my first "grown up" book. I read it @ 14 and I think we talked about me finding this book in the YA section of my local library. Anyway, I think this is probably Morrison's most accessible novel in terms of narrative and subject matter. It's main issues are still relevant today, unfortunately. They have just manifested in different ways-Asian girls seeking eyelid folds, excessive use of wigs and weaves, retouching photos to make darker skin appear lighter, etc. Everyone understands the idea of wanting to be someone you're not and can never be. <br /><br />It's hard for me to comment like I want to because it's been nearly 20 years since I read the book. <br /><br />The blue eyes represent so many things. Not only are they a symbol of a white aesthetic that Pecola equates with power, beauty, and love, but also they are a mask for what is happening to her. The desire itself is a means for Pecola to not acknowledge the horrible things happening to her. Many times superficial desires are a cover up for something wrong internally. <br /><br />I will re-read this book one day with my, now, "grown up" eyes and make a more proper assessment. But just from memory, I still think The Bluest Eye is a remarkable novel.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com