Hampton, VA - - Anita Blanton, Miss Hampton University; Laura Brown, Miss Howard University; and RaSheda Waddell, Miss Randolph County, N.C., hosted an open forum called "Black Beauty in Perspective" at Hampton University. As a part of the black history month events, the three young ladies came together on Monday, Feb. 21, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. and examined the myths and images of the black female.
"Beauty is subjective; it's something that's different to everyone," said Brown, a speech communications major and advertising minor from Washington D.C. "
"This seminar spoke specifically to black women," said Blanton, senior broadcast journalism major from Dallas, Texas. "We discussed the evolution of black females and how America looks at black women today. We also addressed the issues that come up in society from permed/relaxed hair versus natural hair, make-up versus no make-up and more. This gave us a chance to enlighten people on black beauty."
In addition to the basic topics of hair and make-up, the young ladies discussed the color complex issues of fair skinned women versus dark skinned and the role the media plays on the portrayal of the black female: video images, magazine advertisements and the images of today's models. A few men in the audience weren't afraid to speak up and give their opinion of what black beauty means to them.
The idea for the forum stemmed from Dr. Valerie Sweeney Prince's, assistant professor of English at Hampton University, women's literature course "Trying to Find Mama in a White Man's World." Prince recently released her first book, Burnin' Down the House: Home in African American Literature.
Blanton, a student in Prince's women's literature class, said that the students regularly discuss the books they are assigned to read. This creates in depth discussions of the black female in today's society. Blanton thought that this would be a great topic to address to the campus community.
(from left to right) RaSheeda Waddell, Miss Randolph County, N.C.; Anita Blanton, Miss Hampton University; and Laura Brown, Miss Howard University
