Vintage Jet Magazine

While flipping through the pages of a July 23, 1953 edition of Jet magazine, I receive a history lesson. As an avid magazine reader, I am surprised to see how the topics back then were much more interesting and engaging reads. Topics like "How Europe's Women Make Love", "Harvard's Negro Student Leaders" and " Why Brownskin Girls Get The Best Movie Roles". These types of topics were not only thought provoking, but were equally as entertaining. Though in black in white, the imagery was vivid and descript, seeming to capture the true essence of that very moment.

That said, one thing that I found disturbing about the imagery was the lack of color, as it pertained to African American women. With each cover that I skimmed through, I witnessed the same "prototype" black women. Fair skin, Long hair, straight nose. These portrayals instantaneously let you know what images were socially acceptable. The inside cover of the magazine featured hair straighting products, and skin bleaching ads. Moreover, considering that Jet was, and still is an African American owned and operated magazine you can't help but to question the mental of black people during this time.

Taking it a step further, I began to evaluate how African American women are portrayed in modern media. I would be lying if I said that the lightskin/darkskin issue does not still exist, and in looking in the media, somethings remain evident. I am not prepared to make a blanket statement, however I think it is safe to say 59 years later; the more things change, the more they stay the same. Think about it.