Written by | Ray Cornelius
“She’s pretty…for a dark girl!”
Admit it! It’s something you have either heard or said when describing a dark-skinned relative or friend. It’s a saying that to some is seen as harmless compliment but in actuality are words that have scarred women of a darker hue for many generations.
Sunday night at 10 p.m. Oprah Winfrey will air the world television debut of the groundbreaking documentary, Dark Girls, which puts a spotlight on the taboo subject of colorism in America. Produced and directed by Hollywood heavyweights Bill Duke and D. Channsin Berry, the two-year-old film follows Winfrey’s discussion between Gabrielle Union, Viola Davis, Phylicia Rashad and Alfre Woodard about race and gender in Hollywood.
According to the film’s website, Dark Girls explores the prejudices that dark-skinned women face throughout the world and includes stories from women of all ages, sharing their personal experiences and touching on deeply ingrained beliefs and attitudes of society.
Recently, I had a chance to chat briefly with D. Channsin Berry. He and I discussed the inspiration behind the film, how he and Duke connected with Oprah Winfrey, and what he hopes audiences will take away from the film.
Listen to our 5-minute exclusive conversation below:
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Dark Girls airs Sunday, June 23 at 10 p.m. on OWN.
