Creating a Space to Speak Out

I think that the video, “A Girl Like Me,” could be positioned as resistance.  Reason being, is that by acknowledging that there is a difficulty with the way in which African American females are perceived and held to “white” standards is a form of resistance.  By opening up a space in which the African-American females could share their stories about the color of their skin and wearing their hair natural, in addition to their family’s responses, the discourse is challenged.  Although this is neither secret nor overt resistance, as discussed by Kristen Schilt, it is resistance just the same.  The female who created the video with her own “do-it-yourself empowerment” (Schilt, 238) and those participating resisted and spoke out against being measured against white standards, as African-American females.

Because this video is made by a girl, it is a female social and cultural artifact.  It seeks to make a statement and to solve a problem.  The problem of black females ironing their hair, or lightening their skin in attempt to look white, is part of the problem.  The other part of the problem is parents encouraging the behavior.  The statement is made through this artifact, similar to the zines, as it creates a space for other females to speak out.