What is a Civilized Woman? The hidden secret behind Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc
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Posted By: Jarita Berry on September 16, 2009 As a child of color--I remembered the first time that one of my family members brought home a white woman. My grandmother, aunts, and even uncles where shocked, and they each felt betrayed in some manner or form. I looked at the beautiful, blond-hair woman and thought to myself. She looked like a "Barbie Doll." Adding to my own inferiority complex--I felt that I could never be this beautiful. I was short, chubby, with short hair, and brownner than a paper bag. She believed that a gift for me would be a Barbie Doll. The insult to my family was that it was a white doll. Many people would think that it was just a doll. Well, dolls are powerful statements of society's values and what an organization says is a civilized woman. The impact of research about "just a doll" in the Brown v. Board of Education court case was cited during its’ litigation. The Troubled Legacy of Brown vs. Board, by James T. Patterson has a whole analysis but here’s just a tidbit: "During the litigation, Kenneth Clark testified about the Clarks’ findings that black school children in segregated schools, asked to choose between white and black dolls, liked the white dolls better and chose them rather than the black dolls. (Brown v. Board of Education, 347 U.S. 483 (1954), at 494-495)." A new doll has entered the American conscious--the Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc.'s "Centennial Barbie." What does this new tell us about being a civilized woman? What does this doll tell us about our past? What does this doll tell us about a deep-dark secret within the first African-American sorority? This Barbies is a light-skinned, long-haired, water-thin priss. She seems to reflect the notion that lighter is better. She also seems to reflect the old stories that AKAs had to pass brown paper bag test. Another rumor surrounding Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. includes the women that started Delta Sigma Theta Sorority Inc. did so because they wanted to be judged on their character not the color of their skin to join a national sorority not a local sisterhood. Rather this be the truth or myth--the fact is that Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. has had its fair-share of controveries, but it has been a sorority that changed the face of sisterhood. Its 100 years have been filled with accomplishments, milestones, legendary women, and of course a network of sisters that expand the globe. A doll should not and does not reflect what a sisterhood is or does. A doll does not tell one what is a civilized woman. A civilized woman is a woman of class, distinguish, and elegance that can cook, sew, and take care of herself. She knows how to lead but she also knows how to follow. She can enjoy a man but doesn't need him to be complete. A doll does leave impressions on what a child thinks about herself. It does offer children meaning of beauty, morality, and ethics. So, I say look past the doll. Find out what Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc. means to thousands of light and dark skinned members. SMILE! If you enjoyed this article, Join HBCU CONNECT today for similar content and opportunities via email! |
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