“Dark [am] I, and comely, daughters of Jerusalem, As tents of Kedar, as curtains of Solomon.” - Song of Solomon 1:5, Young’s Literal Translation
The photo above is of the Black Madonna in the Notre-Dame de Fourvière in Lyon, France. She’s in the chapel next to the main cathedral. Please excuse the blurring. I took it in low light and it was hard to hold my hands still.
I’ve just returned from a pilgrimage to Lyon. My main goal was to see this Madonna. I’ve developed an unhealthy (and expensive) obsession with her, ever since I discovered her living not too far from me.
I could lie and say that my obsession with the Black Madonna(s) has nothing to do with race, but I won’t. Yes, my link to her has a lot to do the subject, but it leans more toward color(ism) than race.
I’ll start with a true story.
Note: I recorded this audio post on the fly after I first wrote it. I had originally intended for it to be a normal entry. Please excuse the hollow quality.
Comments (7)
Your audio is exquisite. I’m putting up a webpage, darkmadonna.com, with all of my photos from Europe and the US of dark skinned madonnas. I think Jesus and Mary were both dark skinned!!!
Very impressive and very uplifting, it is a constant quest toward who we truly are. Keep on searching you will find the TRUTH one day.
I tried to look at your photos to have another look at you to see how “dark” you are because as far as I remember you are not dark….this is from my view point as an African woman living in Europe.
I kinda find it incredulous, sad, scary and mind boggling that you and people with your skin color are seen as dark and that darkness is perceived with negativity. I have African friends and relatives living in the US and they are dark(as per American standards) and I wonder what their experience is… especially the children….
In my Kenya/Uganda where I grew up, there would not even been an issue about your skin color because that is the norm and majority.
And yes we do have light skinned (by African standards) dark skinned issues, with the whole light is better … but it is not so deeply ingrained in society.
The dark people who tend to draw attention are those who are as dark as Alec Wek.. On the streets people will tend to exclaim or stare because they are not used to seeing it.
During and after hurricane katrina happened, I remember one of the things most of my friends commented about was how “African” the survivors looked. This was not in a negative way. We were surprised because most of us, me included, believed that most Black Americans look like Ciara, Beyonce , Halle or Will Smith and so when we saw that many look like just like us, we were truly taken aback.
In conclusion, just wanted to share my opinion and let you know that in East Africa you would not be considered dark at all. If anything you would blend in and “disappear” in a crowd and I think you are a beautiful woman and I am not just saying that!
Timing is Everything.
Today I typed “black Madonna podcast” in the Google search field, not sure of what — if anything — the search engine would retrieve. At the present time I am working (struggling) with an article for a small publication back in my Chicago hometown.
Amazingly, now after more than a decade of individual study devoted to the subject of the Black Madonna, I find myself having difficulty communicating what I think, feel, believe. Faced with this difficulty for more than two weeks now, I felt the need today to “hear” someone else’s ideas, experience interpreting Her meanings. Thus, my quest for a podcast, which led me to your page…
Thank you.
Hi everyone,
Thanks for the comments. I’ll respond within the next day. Mrembo, I have so much to say about your post, but I have to forumlate it in a somewhat intelligent fashion.:-) You gave me a lot to think about.
@Mrembo: Dark is relative.:-) I’m probably not dark for Kenya, but for the South, especially with some folks being color struck, I’m dark.
Yes it’s sad how we black Americans still focus on this. It’s ingrained. But, I must ask this question. I know you can’t answer for all Africa women or even all Kenyan women, but what’s up with the plethora of weaves that I see quite a few African women wearing over here?
@Paco - > Kung Fu Grip is off the hook, and I’ve just placed my order.
Lol at the weaves question. Most (urban) women between 20s and late 40s process their hair because it is easier to manage or because thats what’s in fashion.
When we come to Europe, we are unable to maintain permed hair as well as one did back home due to the expense, so the weave is the alternative. I honestly do not know if the reason for perming or weaving is due to hating napps and buying into straight is better. I would like to say it is not but that would be dishonest.
I know that I went natural when I set foot in Europe, permed it, cut it off, permed it again, cut it off and now been natural for almost 2 years. I currently have it in braid extension because it is easier to deal with.