Right after everyone finished discussing Jay-Z and BeyoncΓ©'s new daughter's name, the conversation turned to her looks. Commenters have concluded in tones that range from joking to truly mean-spirited that if the little one takes after her dad, she won't be cute.
Is it just that it would be unfortunate for any baby girl to turn out looking like a grown man (specifically, one whose music outshines his looks, in a way many would argue has nothing to do with race)? After all, BeyoncΓ©, though lighter, is also black, and nobody seems to be bringing her beauty into question. Even the harshest comments target only her weave.
Suggested Reading
In a piece for ColorLines today, Akiba Solomon argues that the discussion about Baby Blue Ivy's looks isn't that simple. Her analysis warns that it reveals stubborn beliefs about black beauty that should be troubling to us all:
β¦ Iβve avoided most things Blue Ivy Carter. I knew if indulged in even a smidgen more about this little girl, Iβd find myself walking among stunted souls who traffic in the idea that the full lips, large eyes, broad nose and dark brown skin of a Jay-Z is inherently ugly.Β
But then, in a reckless act of masochism, I did it anyway. Hereβs a sampling of the stomach-tightening invective Iβve read online:
βhopefully she gets most of her looks from her motherβs side.β
βthats gonna be one ugly nigga baby with big ass lips and a dirty ass weave.β
βi just hope beyonce genetics dont get over powered by camel genes.β
βI had a dog named Blue! Poor kid β all of the talent and money in the world wonβt do her much good if she looks like Jay-Z.β
βI had no idea that that βadorableβ and βJay Zβs nose, eyes and lipsβ could have been used in the same sentence. I wish them the best of luck though!! <3 <3β
βi NEED pictures cause that baby donβt sound βadorableβ She got all the ugly traits of Jay-Z..not to be mean or rude & talk about a kid or nun but that baby sound ugly.β
There's a rumor going around today that Jay-Z has pledged to drop the word "bβch" from his music, in honor of his daughter. If she does end up looking more like him than BeyoncΓ©, can we expect him to stop celebrating the "wavy light-skinned girls," too?
Read more at ColorLines.
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