A Question Of Color

"There was a saying in the Black community: If you're white, you're all right. If you're yellow, you're mellow. If you're brown, stick around. But if you're black, get back." Where most documentaries about race in America look at the tragic divide which often separates Blacks and Whites, filmmaker Kathe Sandler's A Question of Color confronts the issue of color consciousness in the Black community, itself. A very light-skinned Black woman who could "pass" for White, Sandler is quite familiar with color codes within Black America, and she takes her camera and repertoire of probing questions on the road from New York to Alabama. At the Tuskegee Institute in Alabama, we meet Dr. Payton, the first darker-skinned Black to hold the position of President (once held by Booker T. Washington), as well as Mayor Johnny Ford, another darker-skinned Black. Both men have had a very hard time because of their color, whereas light-skinned Bobby Davis had no problems assuming the presidency of a large local bank. Davis--as do many other Black interviewees in the program--attributes part of his success to his light skin. These feelings are echoed by a pair of Brooklyn rappers: one light-skinned, the other dark. The lighter-skinned youth attracts more attention from the girls, while the darker-skinned youth admits to having leaned toward lighter-skinned girls as girlfriends in the past. "Damn, she's dark," says one of the youth's alluding to common phrase used to describe darker-skinned Black girls. Obviously, much of the color confusion in Black America comes from the legacy of slavery which placed values on skin color. In the second half of the program, Sandler traces the recent history of Black self-image, from the "Black is Beautiful" days of the 60s to the continuing argument over "good hair and bad hair" which is a major issue among young Black women (hair care products for Black women make up a sizable industry). Perhaps the most poignant interview comes from a cosmetic surgeon in Harlem who never runs short of business. A Question of Color is a bold documentary that addresses a troubling--but little talked about--issue straight on. A thought-provoking film being made available to public libraries at an exceptionally low price. Highly recommended. Editor's Choice. (See ALEX HALEY for availability.)