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I found this really interesting:
Things like this may seem small in a way, some of the commenters on the original blog post, which analyzed this image/caption within the context of "whiteness" as America's standard default, seemed to feel as if the analysis was unimportant and unnecessary.The Associated Press, a news service subscribed to by news outlets all over the world, distributed a story about the first Obama Administration State Dinner. In the story, sent in by Elisabeth R., Samantha Critchell describes Michelle Obama’s dress as “flesh-colored.” She writes:
"First lady Michelle Obama chose to wear a gleaming silver-sequined, flesh-colored gown Tuesday night to the first state dinner held by her husband’s administration. "
[via Sociological Images]
For reference, here are some of the comments left on the post:
Now, granted, most of the comments on this post were supportive (I would expect as much from a blog devoted to analysing Sociological phenomena) but those few negative voices really stuck with me: mostly because I'm used to hearing them so damn often.
Dan 10:45 am on November 29, 2009: It’s just bad writing. Banal. Sophomoric. Nothing more. I’m sure you believe this is insightful, but you’re merely elevating the trivial.
ryan 11:04 pm on November 29, 2009: Wow, people really care?
Hate Twilight because of the abusive relationship it depicts in a positive light? You just need to lighten up.
See a video on your college TV channel that turns date rape into a joke? Lighten up, get a sense of humor... its really not such a big deal.
See a color that looks nothing like your flesh, described as the color of flesh? Clearly, you are just overly sensitive and looking for things to get mad at.
No, just, no.
In my opinion little things like an offhanded comment about a flesh-colored dress make up some of the the most damaging forms of prejudice. I mean, think about it: when someone blatantly uses hate-speak or denies you an opportunity based on ethnicity, or gender, or sexuality, or ability... you can get mad about it and, generally, find people who agree with you. When something like this happens? Often the people who complain are met with comments like stop being so PC and don't you have more important things to worry about?
For example: the rape video that I mentioned above actually existed on my campus TV channel for a few days - until I saw it, and wrote the president of the club that runs that channel. Now it's off the air temporarily, hopefully a decision that will be made permanent this week. I've gotten crap for it, yes. I've been told that I was a 'feminist bitch with no sense of humor.' But you know what? I can be content in the knowledge that no one else will be victimized by this video, no one else will see it and use it to rationalize their own horrible behaviors... no one will be made to feel invisible/unsafe/marginalized on campus as a result of this video because I refused to let something "trivial" go.
So... you know what? No, I don't have more important things to worry about because this is important! Everything we say and do has meaning and is important... its time everyone started owning up to that!
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by Anatic09
On a lighter note, if that is "flesh colored" then I am way too ungodly pale
Also on the lighter side- if that's "flesh" tone then it must be the flesh of impossibly tan Twilight-style-vampires since it's sparkly. Couldn't this person have just said "metallic" for crying out loud?