Here are the ten most beautiful black Brazilian women that I know of who are famous enough to have an article in the Wikipedia (in Portuguese). Brazil has more black women than any place in the world outside Africa, even more than America.
This is very much a work in progress: whenever I find out about one who is more beautiful than any of these I will add her and kick out number ten. And so on. I take age into account.
I count as black anyone whom Brazilians consider to be Afro-Brazilian.
1. Paula Lima (1970- ) is a singer and songwriter of MPB (Brazilian pop music) – a diva of Sao Paulo, as she calls herself. I love looking at her face when she sings. More.
2. Taís Araújo (1978- ) became the first black actress to appear as a main character in a telenovela on Brazilian television. She once played Elza Soares, one of Brazil’s best singers, and Xica da Silva, a slave who became the richest woman in Brazil. She is a presenter on the television show “Superbonita”, about how to be beautiful! More.
3. Adriana Bombom (1974- ) is a Carnival queen from Rio. She she was once one of Xuxa’s helpers. What a body! More.
4. Ildi Silva (1982- ) is a television actress from Bahia. She was discovered on the streets of Salvador and became a model. She says that in Brazil she is seen as neither black nor white. According to the BBC she is one-fifth African by blood and one-tenth native Indian. Her green eyes are Dutch. More.
5. Rojane Fradique (1986- ) is a fashion model from Bahia in the north where most people are black. She is tall (1.82 metres), extremely thin but looks like a work of art. In 2003 she placed second in Brazil in the Elite Model Look contest and 15th worldwide. More.
6. Camila Pitanga (1977- ) is a Brazilian model and television actress from Rio. Best known in Brazil as Bebel on the telenovela “Paraíso Tropical”. Ildi Silva, listed above, plays a secretary on the same show.
7. Adriana Lima (1981- ) She has modelled for Victoria’s Secret and Maybelline. She one of the richest and best-known Brazilians in the world. More.
8. Adriana Lessa (1971- ) is an actress and singer from Sao Paulo. She has appeared on Brazilian television throughout the 1990s and 2000s. She has a long nose and big, beautiful eyes – and a good website in English.
9. Valquíria Ribeiro (c. 1977- ) is a television actress. She is best known as the mother of the main character on the show “A Escrava Isaura”.
10. Lucy Ramos (1982- ) is a model and television actress. She is best known for playing Adelaide in the telenovela “Sinhá Moça”. She was born in Recife in Pernambuco. More.
- The most beautiful Brazilian women – of any race
- The most beautiful white Brazilian women
- The women:
- Black women in North America who are part Brazilian:
- black Brazilian models
- The most beautiful black women – in the English-speaking world, at least.
- YouTube – you can see most of these women on YouTube where you will get a better idea of their beauty than you can from still images.
- Brazil
- Race in Brazil
Mon 1 Oct 2007 at 14:34:44
no comment
Sat 13 Oct 2007 at 01:44:09
These women are worthy of my praise. I’m so glad Abagond is praising Black women in a world hostile to the talents, beauty and aspiration of Black and mixed Black women.
Thank you Abagond for doing such a fine work.
Stephanie B.
Sat 13 Oct 2007 at 19:10:58
I love them. It is my pleasure!
Sun 14 Oct 2007 at 04:17:38
Beautifully said. It makes me proud to have Afro-Brazilian heritage.
Wed 12 Mar 2008 at 09:50:08
These women are just wonderful….
I love brazilian girls,they are simply the best!
Mon 17 Mar 2008 at 13:52:59
I DON’T CARE MUCH ABOUT BRAZILION WOMEN THEY ARE NOT BLACK IN MY EYES SORRY.
Sat 19 Apr 2008 at 06:53:27
I’M sorrry but MOST OF THE WOMEN ARE NOT BLACK
THE only black women here are
Tais Araujo >>>>(that pisture of tais that not represent her blackness…the picture has been airbushed so much that she looks light but in reality is as dark as Mry J Blige and has strong negroid features)
next time put a right picture that defines her blackness
Adriana bom bom
Paula Lima
Valquira ribeiro
Lucy ramos
Rojane fabrique
Sat 19 Apr 2008 at 07:02:31
THis list IS AN INULT TO BLACK WOMEN AND I AM SURE IT WAS POSTED BY A WHITE MAN….I’M SORRY BUT CAMILA AIN’T BLACK…..THIS LIST REALLY MADE ME ANGRY BECAUSE PEOPLE DN’T REALLY KNOW WHAT IS THE TRUE LOOK OF BLCK WOMEN.
Sat 19 Apr 2008 at 07:03:07
THE PERSON WHO MADE THIS LIST IS A FOOL AND VERY STUPID
Sat 19 Apr 2008 at 22:08:43
I counted as black any woman who in Brazil is seen as Afro-Brasilian. Most are light-skinned blacks, some very close to white, like Pitanga. I have to draw the line somewhere and that seemed like a good point.
Race in Brazil is seen differently than in America:
http://abagond.wordpress.com/2007/09/15/race-in-brazil/
Sat 19 Apr 2008 at 22:09:04
If Pitanga came to America she could pass herself off as white. But in Brazil her father is a dark-skinned black and is well known. So she is counted as Afro-Brazilian. And is a beautiful woman no matter what her colour.
Sat 19 Apr 2008 at 22:19:09
Some say I prefer light-skinned women, but the lightness you see here is more because the black women in Brazil just are lighter in general, especially the famous ones.
Compare this list to the black women I like when I have the whole world to choose from (though most are Americans because that is what I know best):
http://abagond.wordpress.com/2007/06/13/the-ten-most-beautiful-black-women-in-the-world/
Tue 22 Apr 2008 at 16:46:46
abagond, …..
alL I have to say is that being an AFRO-BRASILIAN DOESN’T MEAN YOU ARE BLACK…..Pitanga should definitely be included in this list including Ilda…
and please save me that crap of “Brazilian women are light” PLease stop lying ….GO TO BAHIA AND YOU WILL SEE MANY MANY MANY DARK-SKINNED BRAZILIAN WOMEN…I MEAN LIKE AFRICANS….ALL THESE WOMEN HERE WOULD BE CONSIDERED AS PARDOS OR MESTICOS IN BRASIL …SO PLEASE MAKE A LIST OF “REAL BLACK BRAZILIAN WOMEN” PLEASE BECAUSE THIS LIST IS AN INSULT TO THE BEAUTY OF BLACK WOMEN.
MOST OF THEM ARE REALLY NOT BLACK WOMEN BUT PARDOS….PLEASE MAKE ANOTHER LIST OF “BLACK BRAZILIAN WOMEN” AND TRUST ME HONEY….I HAVE SEEN MANY MANY MANY MANY DARK SKINNED BRAZILIANS …THEY EVEN SURPASS THE DARK SKINNED AMERICANS
DOUGLASS SILVA IS AN EXAMPLE
THERE are many many dark skinned women that i saw except you wanna tell me I was blind because i saw many dark-skinned Brazilians and pardos….Rename this to MOST BEAUTIFUL PARDOS AND make a new list for the beauties in Black Brazilian women because most of them are more European than African
YOU REALLY JUST INSULTED THE BEAUTY OF BLACK WOMEN
SHAME ON YOU
SHAME ON YOU
SHAME ON YOU
I am so pissed eveRytime I see this list and i think to myself there is no way these women are black and this is just AN INSULT TO US BLACK WOMEN
ABAGOND, YOU DEFINATELY DON’T KNOW WHAT A BLACK WOMEN LOOKS LIKE
DO ME A FAVOR, AND GO TO GOOGLE AND GOOGLE IN “GENEVIEVE NNAJI”, SHE IS A NIGERIAN ACTRESS…SHE IS AN EXAMPLE OF BLACK BEAUTY…WHEN YOU LEARN MORE ON WHAT BLACK WOMEN LOOK LIKE THEN CAN YOU MAKE A NEW LIST BEACAUSE HONESTLY SPEAKING MOSTLY OF THESE WOMEN DON’T LOOK LIKE BLACK WOMEN …
WHAT A SHAME…AND I HAVE SEEN SO MANY MANY DARK-SKINNED BEAUTIFUL BRAZILIAN GIRLS….
anyways, you just spoiled my day
Tue 22 Apr 2008 at 17:08:54
anyways…after reading with some of your post i figured hey the list is not that bad but please pitanga is not Black neither is she white but MIXED…so pealse when next time you make such a post on black beauty, please post the real deal and I mean the BLACK BEAUTY…..There are so many dark-skinned brazilian women who are just damn beautiful…this post does not demonstrate their beauty
Tue 22 Apr 2008 at 19:41:45
@abagond,
i may have been rude here BUT I APOLOGIZE but I would really love if people appreciate the beauty of a black woman…because to me its like you are telling us we need to be look light to be considered beautiful….and I can assure you that you need to visit countries in Africa to really know what I’m talking about….Black women from Africa are beautiful dark, light and brown….
anyways everyone has their preference but again I APOLOGIZE.
Tue 22 Apr 2008 at 19:54:53
Adriana Bom bom, Tais araujo, Rojane Fabrique and Valquiro Robeeiro are JUST BEAUTIFUL . No word to describe their beauty and Adrina Bom bom has a fantastic body
Thu 29 May 2008 at 09:47:00
Lisa – instead of complaining, make a list and collaborate with the people that made this initial list. I am sure this list they have made is not set in stone and can be added/changed/improved.
Don’t be a hater, collaborate and get things correct. No on knows everything, we all could do with more education.
Educate, don’t fuss and fight. Life’s too full of fighting already, don’t be one of them. Plus, it’s less stresfull.
Thu 29 May 2008 at 23:11:40
I made and maintain this list. I am open to suggestions. Nothing is cast in stone.
Tue 10 Jun 2008 at 01:13:53
I THINK THIS IS AN INSULT TO ALL BLACK WOMEN AROUD THE WORLD TO BE PUT ON A LIST AND SAY WHO IS BLACK AND WHO IS WHITE THEY ARE BRAZILIAN AND THAT IS IT . AND YOU KNOW WHAT I AM A PROUD BLACK WOMEN OF, NIGERIAN,JAMAICAN AND AFRO-BRAZIALIAN HERITAGE TO WHOEVER WROTE THIS LIST YOU SHOULD TAKE AND STUFF IT UP YOUR WHITE ASS,
KISS MY NATURAL BLACK ASS BITCH !!!!!!!
Wed 11 Jun 2008 at 03:10:17
I know there is something I am not understanding here: why all the anger and upset about dividing Brazilian women into black (Afro-Brazilian) and white? First it was Lisa and now it is Lola.
Thu 12 Jun 2008 at 17:16:00
When I came across this page, I was initially searching the topic, WHY DO WOMEN GET JEALOUS OF OTHER BEAUTIFUL WOMEN, and I was shocked at the replies from Lisa, whom I feel comments are outrageous, and sounds a little obessed, and carriers a tone of jealousy and insecurity about herself, and complete ignorance to what black heritage is.
Lisa, I feel you are too stuck in color, and the color spectrum of black peoples ranges from the darkest blacks, to the lightest browns. Being black is not just color, it is an experience!
I am a true believer in the one-drop rule, but it has been disputed, and unique only to blacks in America. But, it is my choice to embrace this rule, because I am proud on my African ancestry, and appreciate and enjoy the beauty of the black color spectrum, and do not deny anyone from claiming their blackness, however much or however little.
HERE IS AN EXCERPT FROM AN ARTICLE I THINK IS HELPFUL ON THIS TOPIC:
“Not only does the one-drop rule apply to no other group than American blacks, but apparently the rule is unique in that it is found only in the United States and not in any other nation in the world. In fact, definitions of who is black vary quite sharply from country to country, and for this reason people in other countries often express consternation about our definition. James Baldwin relates a revealing incident that occurred in 1956 at the Conference of Negro-African Writers and Artists held in Paris. The head of the delegation of writers and artists from the United States was John Davis. The French chairperson introduced Davis and then asked him why he considered himself Negro, since he certainly did not look like one. Baldwin wrote, “He is a Negro, of course, from the remarkable legal point of view which obtains in the United States, but more importantly, as he tried to make clear to his interlocutor, he was a Negro by choice and by depth of involvement–by experience, in fact.”
TO READ MORE OF THIS ARTICLE GO TO:
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/jefferson/mixed/onedrop.html
Much Luv!
Thu 12 Jun 2008 at 23:26:41
Good point. Thanks.
Mon 30 Jun 2008 at 02:46:33
I was searching for beautiful dark skin black women. I clicked on this link. These are not dark skin black women. Only one of them is. Are you kidding me. I agree with Lola and Lisa. Dude get real.
Mon 30 Jun 2008 at 02:52:52
Dark skin is milk chocolate, dark chocolate etc. I am the complextin of a milk chocolate candy bar. And I can hold my own up against any of these women. I was just looking for other women that look like me. I always here from guys, and others,they’ve never seen a woman as dark as me so beautiful and with my features. Again these are not dark skin black women.
Mon 30 Jun 2008 at 02:53:32
Most Afro-Brazilians are light-skinned. There was way more mixing between the races than in North America. Blacks in America are as dark as they are because in the past the racism against them ran far deeper – though these days Brazil is now arguably more racist.
Mon 7 Jul 2008 at 23:00:09
Beautiful Black One,
Just comparing the color of your skin to “MILK” chocolate, to me is an indication of an inferiority complex. Why do you have to be milk chocolate? Can’t you just be a beautful black woman? Why do you have to compare the color of your skin period? This is why racism is what it is, UGLY! Everyone is beautiful despite what their skin complexion is, and the initial thread was not about beautiful dark skinned women, it’s about beautiful BLACK WOMEN!
This smacks of the age old debate, light skinned vs dark skinned. I’m am so tired of it, and just wish that black people will stop perpetuating this non-sense and show the world that we are spectacular because we are so diverse AND BEAUTIFUL!!!
VISIT THIS SITE TO READ SOME RATIONAL AND IGNORANT COMMENTS ABOUT THIS TOPIC: http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/395244/dark_skinned_vs_light_skinned_the_black.html
Fri 11 Jul 2008 at 05:49:56
“I MEAN LIKE AFRICANS”
That was ignorant. I’m incredibly Nigerian and I’m light-skinned. Not all black people have the same melanin levels.
Sun 17 Aug 2008 at 23:31:54
I totally agree with nelo, not all black people are dark, they come in every shade and colour n the comment “I mean like Africans” is very ignorant. being black is not just about what shade you are, it’s about heritage and “the experience” lol, and it also depends what each individual considers themselves as, e.g. my mother is extremely light skinned almost yellow in her skin tone, (she’s 1/4 Spanish 3/4 Nigerian), but she considers herself as a black African, even though a lot of people would think she was Asian or Mediterranean, because she is proud of her culture and her African heritage… the one drop rule also applies in great Britain, a lot of mixed raced people(black and white) consider themselves as black and it is excepted, not because of their colour, but because of how they relate to each other and are proud of where they come from. I have no real problem with the list really, I suppose it’s abagond’s personal opinion on beauty, the only assumption that was made was that here all afro-Brazilians were to be considered as black. Nevertheless I’m glad that all afro Brazilians and their black heritage are appreciated in this way whatever shade they are. I think this should be a celebration of black heritage i.e. they have black in them AND they are beautiful.
Mon 18 Aug 2008 at 19:23:59
It is just my opinion about beauty. I chose “Afro-Brazilian” because that is close to the North American idea of “black”, even though it is not quite the same.
Sat 23 Aug 2008 at 03:10:14
Abagond,
There is NO need for you to explain, or make excuses, and I did not say EXCUSES disrespectfully, I totally respect you, because, as a college educated black woman, I know how the topic, regardless of how specific, when it deals with just the sub-topic of BLACK HERITAGE, it can get people heated and start something nasty, fists flyin’, and BLACK HAIR pullin’…because of the deep seeds that have been sown against being black, black qualites, UNIQUENESS, OR anything black in general,and us as promoters and mediators, we want to celebrate, and uphold our BLACKNESS, AND, keep the peace…but we know…black is beautiful, AND beautiful is BLACK!!!…in all it’s guises…No matter where we are in this WORLD, AND, no matter how sutbborn some of us may be about the issue, STILL FEEL UNITED, NO matter what our nationality may be…we are black…BLACK PEOPLE…and PROUD!!!
BOTTOM LINE…
But, I have a question to ask…(I’m not trying to flip the issue), why is it that nowadays, people of European descent, or other nationalites,(and leave out all the history of why things are the way they are); recent generations, love us, all of us, every shade and nationality, more than we love ourselves?
Sat 23 Aug 2008 at 03:33:42
With that said, my BLACK BROTHA’S AND SISTA’S EVERYWHERE..it’s time to celebrate and REJOICE!!! BARACK OBAMA will be the 1st BLACK PRESIDENT OF THE USA!! And, that means a lot to all BLACK PEOPLE EVERYWHERE!! He represents the wonder of what we are, intelligent, resourceful, loving, giving, concerned, hardworking, LEADERSHIP!!! Lets help represent with him by showing how wonderful we are…WE ARE SPECTACULAR!!! AND LET’S REJOICE WITH ALL PEOPLES WHO SUPPORT AND LOVE US TOO, AND WANT TO BREAK THE MONOTONY, AND JUDGE PEOPLE NOT ONLY BY THE COLOR OF THEIR SKIN, BUT BY THE CONTENT OF THEIR OF THEIR CHARACTER…
Sat 23 Aug 2008 at 03:54:27
Oh, and I wanted to mention that my oldest brother, who is 5′9″ has the darkest skin of all my siblings; smart, and has served in the USA military for 15 years, and has the biggest house, LOL!!! And my oldest sister, who is 5′4′, is considred “dark-skinned” and has hazel eyes, and has 8 wonderful children; one of her girls looks like Naomi Campbell, and is 6 feet tall and can be a model just like my boo! And, my baby brother is considered “medium-skinned, and is 6′1″, and we can’t keep the ladies off him, but he just married his highschool sweetheart! And me, the middle child; I’m considered “light-skinned” or “redbone” with green eyes” and my son is “medium-skinned” tall and sexy and we can’t keep the ladies off of him, AND WE ALL HAVE THE SAME MOTHER AND FATHER!!! I’m telling you this to show you how unique and diverse our seed is…
Sat 23 Aug 2008 at 06:20:15
I disagree with you, Abagond, on most Afro-Brazilians being “light skinned”. Do Pele and Serge Jorge or many of the participants on “Afro Brazilian Lives 2″ look “light and bright”?
Also, check out the film “City of God” or the classic “Black Orpheus”, both noted black Brazilian films and a variety of phenotypes within the cast!
Sun 24 Aug 2008 at 00:09:32
I think it is dangerous to draw conclusions from what you see on film. After all, I would hate to think that anyone would draw conclusions about Black America from Hollywood films!
Sun 24 Aug 2008 at 00:13:24
I have not been to Brazil, but I do know that 6% of the people are “black” and 43% are mixed. Most of the mixed would be considered black in America because of the One Drop Rule – like many of the women above.
It also depends on what part of Brazil you are in. There is way more African blood in the people in the north-east than in the south.
Sun 24 Aug 2008 at 00:22:30
Love said:
But, I have a question to ask…(I’m not trying to flip the issue), why is it that nowadays, people of European descent, or other nationalites,(and leave out all the history of why things are the way they are); recent generations, love us, all of us, every shade and nationality, more than we love ourselves?
Well, I disagree. For all the self-hatred, blacks still like blacks way more than whites do. At least in America.
Sun 24 Aug 2008 at 04:15:39
Of course, I wasn’t suggesting that films indicate what people look like. I was giving a simple visual. But then again, many on this board and all over, seem to draw broad conclusions based on certain media images that they see. Catch 22, no?
Also “mixed” in Brazil and many Latin American countries is far more broad than in the U.S. In Brazil and D.R., I would be considered “mixed/mulatto” because while I don’t come from an interracial union, I have “recent” non-African blood. Quincy Jones and Oprah Winfrey would also be called “mixed” because although they both are predominately African, they have “other” admixture.
Sun 24 Aug 2008 at 21:35:13
People do draw conclusions from media images! That was my attempt at irony.
Mixed is far broader in those countries. I think it is because they do not have the One Drop Rule.
Mon 25 Aug 2008 at 16:53:20
I dont know why everyone gets upset.. What is “Black”..? It is a racial identity that one has. Some connect to it some don’t. Either way, there are VERY VERY few people of african decent that are 100% pure. If you are of african decent chances are you are mixed somewhere with portugese, white or something else. ESPECIALLY due to slave trading where untold amounts of YOUR people were bought and sold for whatever purpose. As for Americans.. They are all mixed.. same with brazillians, and Dominicans (even though they dont may not want to be black)… It amazes me why people run from their african blood when it is the very thing that makes them BEAUTIFUL!!!! They did a good job on some of us but not all..!!
Tue 26 Aug 2008 at 16:42:43
I agree: “It amazes me why people run from their african blood when it is the very thing that makes them BEAUTIFUL!!!!”
Wed 27 Aug 2008 at 01:46:53
First of all the correct term is Afrikan Brazilian, pr Afro Brazilian,some women are light skin. Just cause they are light skin that doesnt mean that most of their family is not from Afrika. Even if these women are of mixed race In Amerika if they had american names they would be considered black/Afrkin becasue most of theyre family tree is Afrikan eVen if these women arent there are many other beautiful black females all over Brazil with Daker skin, just cause you have light skin doesnt mean your european,
Wed 27 Aug 2008 at 16:03:37
Right, if they grew up in America they would simply be black. If they visited New York they might be seen as Puerto Rican or Hispanic, some of them. In the North American taxonomy they are, strictly speaking, Latinos.
Wed 3 Sep 2008 at 20:38:50
Why isn’t Adriana Lima on this list? She is definitely one of the most beautiful black Brazilians as well.
Thu 4 Sep 2008 at 00:07:41
Is she Afro-Brazilian?
This list of famous Afro-Brazilians in the Portuguese Wikipedia does not list her:
http://pt.wikipedia.org/wiki/Categoria:Afro-brasileiros
If she is Afro-Brazilian I find it strange that she would be overlooked – she is one of the most famous Brazilians in the world.
Thu 4 Sep 2008 at 02:01:25
TI’S 2008!!!!….you see black people every day!!…why when they see black people speack other languge rather than eglish!(& i have to say american people!,”people from the usa of america”and i mean born or raise in usa),always say “i thought she or he was black”….please!do they know what “black is”???…i think they are extremely confused!!….i believe english is an european language!,not african!!. 85%of the most beautyfull latin woman the you see on the “street”are a mix of african and euroean heritage!the “some people don’t want to understan”. even though a lot of them denie their african side!.to me 7 of this beautifull woman are black.
Thu 4 Sep 2008 at 11:38:56
So which three do you think are not black?
Fri 5 Sep 2008 at 21:42:57
Yes, Adriana Lima is Afro-Brazilian. I’m Afro-Brazilian myself. Adriana Lima has stated that she is half white, a quarter black, and a quarter Native American (most likely Tupi). Her Wikipedia biography does states that she is of African descent. Look her up. She is not in the Afro-Brazilian category, because that’s editable, and many Brazilian white supremacists don’t want people knowing that she’s black so they edit that out. Wikipedia is not reliable, anyways. She has stated in several interviews that she’s of African descent. After all, she’s originally from Salvador, Bahia, which is also known as the “blackest” city in the Western Hemisphere.
Sat 6 Sep 2008 at 03:34:16
Yeah, Lima has talked about her black grandmother several times, in past interviews. She has multiple black relatives, like many Brazilians of varying racial identities. I actually intially assumed that she was a straight ahead black woman when she first emerged in the US press years ago. But now, I think that she’s extremely racially ambigious.
And Marllon is correct, Wikipedia or any internet source is not very reliable.
Sat 6 Sep 2008 at 04:43:50
I APOLOGIES!!..i didn’t seen ildi,camila & samantha’s pics!!i think the camila looks not even 20%,10% black!!!.but i know that girs with that look have some of african & native,in their blood.samantha looks like 20% to 30% black,ildi looks 50,50% black european….but i dont think that they are treat like blacks!
Sat 6 Sep 2008 at 05:04:07
I discord with Joe. I think Camila looks about 30% black. Both of Camila’s parents are dark-skinned blacks. You need to see Camila in video, she looks much blacker in video than in pictures. I also think Alice Braga should be up in this, even though she’s probably less than 20% black, I still think she’s beautiful. Alice Braga is the niece of the saucy Sônia Braga, the self-identified black Brazilian actress.
Mon 8 Sep 2008 at 02:42:10
Abagond…
I think the reason as to why you got a lot of angry feedback from blk females posters is because of the insecurity most females suffer from (including myself @ times. And I see that angry feed back is becoming a trend on your posts on the topic of “Beauty”)… but IMO all but 2 women on this list are Black; the two that I believe are not are Pitanga and Silva. That is it. The overexaggeration that this list is an “insult to blk women” is infact just that; an overexaggeration. I am of Afro-Caribbean descent, both of my parents are native West Indians. I’m a first generation American and you have some black Americans who thinks that West Indian aren’t Black … using the very SAME ignorance that effected Christopher Columbus when he saw the Native Americans and rudely called them “Indians” … tell me, why shouldn’t an Afro Brazilian woman not be considered blk? That makes absolutely no sense to me. It seems to me that whenever you (Abagond) what beauty is to YOU on YOUR blog, females get angry. Particularly Black females …. sisters, there is absolutely NOTHING to be angry about. There is nothing wrong with the post. It is rooted in opinion and everyone is rightfully entitled to that. Why get angry? Idk. Blk American means of African descent, Afro Caribbean means of African descent, Afro Brazilian means of African descent, Afro Panamanian, Afro South American, etc, etc. Embrace a brother or sister who doesn’t speak your language, share your culture or customs .. It does not matter. It is all one love. AND these women are all beautiful. My favorite is Adriana BomBom. Talk about spunk! Keep it up, Abagond. Believe or not, your blog is positive. I take about an hr out of my own day just to read it. Good day.
Mon 8 Sep 2008 at 03:14:35
Thanks, and thanks for understanding. The angry comments surprised me at first: I am just one man with one opinion and one blog! You would think I ran Vogue magazine or something.
I agree that anyone who is part black is black. It is not as if mixed people are not subjected to racism too, even in Brazil. I wish there were some part of the world where these things do not matter, but as I far as I know there is none.
Mon 8 Sep 2008 at 03:26:02
I added Adriana Lima! Just looking at her I could tell she is part black, but I did not know which side of the line she fell on in Brazil. The lines there are not quite like they are in America.
Now let us see how many comments I get telling me she is not black!!
I know for a fact that Pitanga considers herself Afro-Brazilian. I have seen her father too and he is as black as can be.
We know just how black Ildi Silva is by blood because the BBC tested her DNA:
19% black, especially Kenya and Cameroon
71% European, especially France
10% native Indian
Mon 8 Sep 2008 at 03:28:34
Marllon, thanks for the suggestion of Alice Braga. I remember her mother, Sonia Braga, from “Dona Flor and Her Two Husbands”. She was a beauty. For a long time she was my idea of what Brazilian women were like!
Mon 8 Sep 2008 at 05:35:04
You’re welcome, agabond. And I agree that part black folk are most definitely black as well! I’m Afro-Brazilian, I was born to a Brazilian mother of European descent and a Brazilian father of mixed Afro-Brazilian, European, and Native American descent, but I self-identify as black, even if I may be only 20% to 25%, as you can see, Ildi Silva is less than 20%, but is more passable as a black woman more than anything else. Being black is definitely not about dark skin color, like some of the jealous female posters above would love to believe. Jennifer Beals is half black, and Adriana Lima and I look much ethnically African than her, despite being less genetically black. Look at Tiger Woods and Traci Bingham, they may be only one quarter black, yet the media views them as black people, so how are Wentworth Miller and Carly Simon not be considered black when they’re just as genetically black, you know? It seems like some people want to make it a skin color issue. I have a light olive complexion, and yes, I AM BLACK, despite my admixture. I definitely can’t pass for white, so why should I be resorted to remain in limbo? If it’s going to be one or other (which people will make me decide), then I choose black. If people don’t want to accept me as what I self-identify with, then that’s their issue.
Yes, Camila Pitanga is most definitely black, both her parents are dark-skinned blacks. It’s actually kind of interesting how two dark-skinned black parents who look predominantly black more than anything else produce such a different-looking daughter. it’s all about distant admixture which most blacks in the New World have.
By the way, just so you know, Alice Braga is the niece of Sônia Braga, not daughter, and I agree, they’re both remarkable beauties!
Also, I was just wondering, but are you sure that the majority of Ildi Silva’ European ancestry is French? i would figure mostly Portuguese, since the European admixture in most mixed-race Brazilians is mostly Portuguese. I know she has French and Dutch ancestry as well, but I would figure that her European ancestry was made up of mostly Portuguese background.
Mon 8 Sep 2008 at 05:37:14
By the way, my favorite women in this list are Taís Araújo and Camila Pitanga, they’re simply extraordinary women.
Mon 8 Sep 2008 at 06:02:20
Most people in Brazil, from what I understand, are part African and part Portuguese. Even people who think of themselves as being purely black or purely white.
In the case of Ildi Silva, she knew she was part Dutch on her mother’s side. The French comes from her father’s side. Genes were found in the Y chromosome of her brothers that are most commonly found in France.
I read about it here (in Portuguese):
http://www.bbc.co.uk/portuguese/reporterbbc/story/2007/05/070514_dna_ildisilva_cg.shtml
That page has links to other famous Brazilians and what their DNA showed. It is pretty clear that you cannot tell how African someone is by the darkness of his skin. It is not that simple.
Mon 8 Sep 2008 at 06:35:52
Yes, 86% of Brazilians do have have at least both African and Portuguese ancestry in their DNA.
I have that article already in my favorites haha, but it doesn’t state the majority of Ildi Silva’s European background is French, it just says that her patrilineal lineage comes from a French male ancestor. Don’t the French look like the Portuguese already? I always thought they looked indistinguishable from one another, since they’re both Latin Europeans. Although, I know her Dutch ancestry wouldn’t fall in the same category. Ildi Silva is proof that skin color does not matter, because as you can see she is only one fifth black, yet her skin is much darker, whereas there are people like Jennifer Beals who’s obviously more genetically black, but yet looks predominantly Caucasian unlike Ildi Silva, who is 71.3% European, but would never pass for a white woman. I’m just as genetically black as Ildi Silva, if not more, even though I may not look as “black” as her.
Long live the African gene!
Tue 9 Sep 2008 at 02:05:01
“Ildi Silva, who is 71.3% European, but would never pass for a white woman” … Marllon, I disagree with you. Silva has European features. Thus, she could pass for a White woman. With her hair straightened she looks like a white woman with olive skin (they have different tones, as well). Its arguable, but my opinion nevertheless. Same goes for Adriana Lima, had she never mentioned that she was part African a soul could not tell because yes, percentage in DNA does matter. Even in America. It does in fact sculpt the way one looks. Yes, these women (Silva and Lima) are black …. but they are predominantly white– and as much as you can’t take being black away from them you can’t take being white either– no matter what they identify themselves as. Same goes for you Marllon — especially since you don’t look as “black” as Silva (poor choice of words by the way) who IMO doesn’t even look that genetically inclined to her African heritage, then you are in fact a white woman - and society will see you as such, unless you walk around with a sign on your forehead that says “Part African” … not coming @ you Marllon. I think you are an extremely intelligent being (it comes across that way @least) some of your points (like mine) are just very arguable. And yes you are right, being black isn’t about skin color … neither is White. I have yet to see a white person that actually looks like the color white. They are all different colors as well; red when angry, gray when cold, orange when sun burned, etc. Etc. I don’t think Adriana Lima has African features either. As a matter of fact IMO there is nothing ethnic about Lima. She is beautiful all the same, she doesn’t have 2 look ethnic. IMO there are beautiful White woman. Peace.
Tue 9 Sep 2008 at 02:48:44
I agree w/ Marllon, genotype and phenotype do not always correlate. I actually pointed that out a while ago in a past post on this site.
Yet, Tiger Woods and Traci Bingham are more than a quarter black. Both of Bingham’s parents are black. And Earl Woods, Tiger’s late father, was predominately African. As I typed in another post tonight, much of the info on the internet on celebs or any subject, really, is not always correct. It has to come from the person’s mouth or at least something reputable.
Tue 9 Sep 2008 at 03:41:29
I don’t know where you live strangefruit, but I live in the USA, and Ildi Silva would definitely be assumed for a black woman before she would for a white woman. And noticed that I used quotation marks when I said that I don’t look as “black” as her, meaning don’t look as stereotypically ethnic in African features, like her skin complexion. As for Adriana Lima, I discord when you say she doesn’t resemble her African ancestry, because she does, she has full lips, olive skin, and her natural hair is very curly, all of which are most likely passed down with help of African ancestry.
Mynameismyname, according to both of Tiger Wood’s and Traci Bingham’s online biographies both of them are only quarter black, since Tiger Wood’s father was ½ black, ¼ Native American, and ¼ Chinese American, and Traci Bingham’s mother being ½ black and ½ Italian American, but both Tiger and Traci definitely look obviously black despite only being a quarter. I identify Tiger Woods, Traci Bingham, and all people who are part black to be black, unless if they’re less than 10% when it’s hardly noticeable or not not even noticeable at all.
Tue 9 Sep 2008 at 03:45:18
I agree, but Tiger Woods has mentioned his full background, so the online reports on his ancestry is confirmed to be true by Tiger Wood’s own statements. As for Traci Bingham, it has never been confirmed by her, so you got me there.
Tue 9 Sep 2008 at 05:01:39
Both of Bingham’s parents are black, I’ve seen photos of them. She’s from Mass, right next to where I stay. Trust me, she’s 100% Afro American, opposed to 100% African …which few New World Blacks are, regardless of all physical evidence.
Woods …he’s more than a quarter. I say that because Earl Woods has other kids from his marriages with black women and they “look” wholly “black”. I’ll have to find photos of Earl’s family. Earl, most realistically, was a typical Afro American in that he was predom. African w/ some moderate admixture (Chinese, Euro).
Tue 9 Sep 2008 at 05:03:30
And also, many African Americans tend to claim Native American ancestry when the national admixture average for such heritage is 3%. I have a STRONG suspiscions that the Woods are some of those. Probably only a quarter of AAs have significant Native history.
Tue 9 Sep 2008 at 21:16:08
“I don’t know where you live strangefruit, but I live in the USA, and Ildi Silva would definitely be assumed for a black woman before she would for a white woman.” … I live in NYC … and I disagree. I am predominantly black, meaning if you saw me you’d know right off the bat that I am black. I have full lips, Adriana Lima does not IMO. But what’s your point? Angelina Jolie’s lips are full (a lot more fuller than Lima’s … as a matter fact, Lima’s lips are plump not full and most definitely not African) and she’s white… isn’t she? When you are PREDOMINANTLY something, it shows. That is not from the bias point of views of scientist but from natural observation. Idli Silva is a white woman. Black Americans adaptation of racist Jim Crow laws (“one drop of black blood and you’re black”) is just that, racist. However I do feel as if blacks are more accepting when it comes to race, whereas whites are not which is why many, many blacks considers ppl who are mixed with black.. Black. I do as well but not to that extreme. I know every woman on this list is mixed with at least 1/5 of something … but most of these women with the exception of Silva and Lima are predominantly black which makes them black. Majority rules.
And Olive skin does not mean African ancestry… you have got to be kidding me lol. Plenty of Whites have olive skin. As a matter of fact, black Africans do not have olive skin. And … I most definitely would not know what her hair looks like in its natural state (if it isn’t in her natural state already) because “if” ( I somewhat doubt the authencity of that statement) she does have naturally curly hair she has it straightened like me … but, you can still pretty much tell that I am black. With Adriana Lima or Silva you can not. You can reply to this msg with your scientific “facts” but trust, we won’t get anywhere. We will only agree to disagree. I don’t have much time for either (agreeing or disagreeing) so stick to your opinion. I am already sticking to mine. Now seriously, good day 
Abagond … keep up the good work … I still agree with the list. They are black… but they are white too… predominantly, and yes… that matters.
Tue 9 Sep 2008 at 23:04:29
Well, I’ll politely agree to disagree.
Wed 10 Sep 2008 at 04:06:15
I’m with you Marllon. Strangefruit’s perspective is distinctively African American female, meaning that there’s a sense of devaluation that shapes how she sees other blacks as well as a general ignorance of black African phenotypical diversity. You just have to take it for what it is.
Wed 10 Sep 2008 at 19:32:19
Mynameismyname…
thank you for NOT adhering to the favor I asked of you in the other post. It is really becoming of you (insert sarcasm here) … now good day! And Marllon, thank you for politely disagreeing, it shows just how diverse we are– inside too! (Pun intended @ mynameis…) just hate that generalization. It was utterly rude.
Your claim holds no merit whatsoever and you just generalized an entire race of females. I’d call that ignorant. Your posts aren’t relevant to me… which is why I politely skip over them. Save the scientific mumbo jumbo for someone else… ok? It was a scientist that said Saartjie Baartman was the missing link between humans and animals … I question everything scientists say. Besides my comments comes from general observations… what I see. Not what scientist “conclude”, but what I see. Diversity I know is apart of the African race. As a matter of fact diversity can be found in ANY race … no two persons are exactly alike. Would you not call that diverse? Fair skin is not a general African trait. Get over it. Long, pointy noses aren’t either — in general. You can miss me with that African-American woman “distinct” point of view because like I’ve stated it holds no merit and now I’ll tell you why … for I am not “African-American.” Lol … I am afro Jamaican and afro Panamanian. So I guess you can call it a “distinct Afro Jamaican-Afro Panamanian point of view.”(if there is such thing… whatever happened to the diversity that you believe so strongly in? So wait… let me guess, people can look differently, but have the very same minds and point of views?) get real LOL. I was born in America, both my mom and dad are natives of their countries and I was raised in a Caribbean house hold. That matters. I also observe that you like me… you’re always addressing my post. Its amazing! I never thought feelings could develope so quickly. I guess I never bought into love @ first sight
Thu 11 Sep 2008 at 02:31:10
Strangefruit, why don’t you consider yourself African American? I mean, you are an America of African descent, so isn’t the term applicable to you as well? I understand that you didn’t grow up in African American household, so I see why you may have cultural differences from most African Americans, since only a minority of African Americans have a background such as yours, making you more uncommon and different than most African Americans, but just because you’re not the average AA, does not make you any less AA. I understand you’re not of African American parentage, but African American simply means an American of African descent, may it be directly or indirectly. This is not an attack of any kind, I’m just curious. You have a right to self-identify as whatever you want, but it’s a curiosity of mine. My sister is an American with Afro-Brazilian ancestry, but isn’t she also African American since she was born on U.S. soil and is of African descent? I would think yes.
Thu 11 Sep 2008 at 10:08:42
Many Africans and West Indians who live in America would not call themselves “African Americans”. They are black, yes, they live in America, yes, but they do not see themselves as part of the African American – meaning Black American – culture. They are foreign to it, after all.
Some West Indians and Africans look down on Black Americans and so would hate for you to call them African Americans. I have seen churches become divided between West Indians and Black Americans.
So I could see some of the children of West Indian and African parents not calling themselves African Americans, even though culturally most of them are. But some of them are culturally white, so what does that make them?
“African American” is a deeply flawed word: it tries to paste an ethnic label over a race. That is why I rarely use it myself.
Thu 11 Sep 2008 at 10:28:42
I seriously doubt that Ildi Silva or Adriana Lima could pass for white in America, as white as they are. That One Drop Rule thing. Camila Pitanga maybe could if she set her mind to it, but she seems to have more sense than that.
Thu 11 Sep 2008 at 12:00:20
Yes, Abagond, I understand, but I don’t think you see where I’m coming from. Yes, Africans, West Indians, Afro-Brazilians, and Afro-Latinos and other non-American blacks are indeed culturally different from black Americans. My point is that if you are born in the USA and have African ancestry, you are therefore African American, whether you fit into mainstream African American culture or not. I am not African American, because I was born in Brazil to Brazilian parents, but my sister is African American since she was born in the USA and is of African descent. African Americans are not only those whose ancestors were enslaved in the USA. The term African American merely means someone who is an American with African ancestry.
By the way, I agree with what you said about Adriana, Ildi, and Camila. I can’t see anyone here in the U.S. mistaking them for whites.
Thu 11 Sep 2008 at 20:56:16
Marllon. I do not consider myself African American because I just do not. I hope that explanation is enough for you .. But if not, here is why … I have knowledge of my recent heritage and couldn’t care to label myself as an African-American. It is a flawed term ( I agree with you Abagond) it implies that every black in America comes from African heritage which is true, but doesn’t every White in America comes from European heritage as well? Right. But they aren’t European Americans … they are Italian Americans, Irish Americans, German Americans… etc. Etc. (Even when they are born here) I am an African Jamaican Panamanian American. Which means I’m Afro Jamaican/Panamanian first and American second. Just like I am a black woman, yes, but I am a woman first and black second. And your “point” was flawed as well, even Whites know that every black in America is not African American which is why on applications it says of African American descent or black. But … what’s your point? I could be born in Puerto Rico with a Jamaican mom, Panamanian dad and still consider myself just that. I surely wouldn’t call myself Puerto Rican! Lol … just stop. Your controlling ideas aren’t backed by strong points and it isn’t becoming … as for you Abagond, a long time ago I told myself that hypocrisy manifests itself everywhere (even inside of me) and … I was right. Here is a comment from you on your blog of an opposite title to this one “I removed Ana Beatriz Barros and Adriana Lima since they are not white but mixed, even though they seemed pretty much white to me as a North American.” However … I won’t elaborate because I do somewhat agree with you about Silva. I just think she is White first (71% white @ that) black second. She is arguable though. Won’t fight you on that point. I like your new post too … Maria Shriver looks wrinkled lol but I could imagine her beauty in its youth. She most definitely is beautiful. However … I am positive you’ll get some static in your choice to put her on there. That picture … lol. I got your point though. Keep up the positive work. It matters.
Fri 12 Sep 2008 at 04:00:45
Thanks for your encouragement. Yes, I am a bit concerned about Maria too.
Thanks for quoting me back to myself about Adriana Lima!! Wow. Good call. It just shows how on the fence she is to me. Ana Beatriz Barros is another one like that.
Fri 12 Sep 2008 at 04:06:08
Marllon: Well, it depends what meaning you put to “African American”. In the strict sense you are right. But since it has been pushed as an ethnic label, like “Italian-American”, some black foreigners who live in America do not apply “African American” to themselves, even if they came from Africa!
More here:
http://abagond.wordpress.com/2008/06/03/african-american/
Fri 12 Sep 2008 at 07:42:59
I wasn’t talking about foreigners, guys. I was talking about people born in the U.S., I don’t consider black foreigners to be African Americans at all. I’m a black foreigner in the U.S. and I do not view myself as African American, but I do view my U.S.-born sister as African American.
As for you, strangefruit, I don’t have any controlling ideas, I’m trying to be as polite as possible, but you seem to only reply harshly. I did say you have a right to self-identify yourself. Can’t we just have different opinions and accept that. It seems like you get perturbed whenever I ask you something. Whatever.
Fri 12 Sep 2008 at 11:07:29
I agree w/ you guys, the term “African American” is quite flawed, it’s very vague. Many African immigrants call themselves, correctly, Nigerian Americans or Egyptian Americans and so forth though, to make a distinction between black Americans and honor their actual homeland.
I used to have a science teacher who was a white South African woman. She used to half-jokingly say “I truly am an African American”, that’s how vague that term is. I mean, was she wrong?
Marllon is correct though. I have seen some Haitians and some second-gen African immigrants call themselves African Americans. After all, half-Kenyan Barack Obama proudly calls himself African American. Technically, in his case, the term fits him perfectly.
Fri 12 Sep 2008 at 16:24:45
Marllon:
You said:
I’m a black foreigner in the U.S. and I do not view myself as African American, but I do view my U.S.-born sister as African American.
I agree with that. And I agree with mynameismyname that if you were born in Africa, it is much better to say you are Nigerian American or whatever.
Sat 13 Sep 2008 at 00:59:23
It doesn’t matter where you was born. Not in my opinion. What matters is the blood running through your vains. I don’t see why black Americans can’t be distinct about their heritage. I’m not African-American. I just don’t feel that way @ all. Period. So what you are saying is that I should identify myself as an African-American although my mother speaks with an accent and my dad a completely different language all together? No. I never do as a matter of fact. When ppl ask “where are you from?” and I say “Brooklyn” and they say no, no I meant your background I say “oh … I’m Jamaican and Panamanian.” Not African American. I am pretty sure they can tell that I am black so what was the point of asking me my background? I’ll tell you why … because even they know that not all blacks in America are African American, if they didn’t know that they’d never ask that question. Couldn’t they look and see that I am black and from America and say “oh, she’s African-American?” I’m pretty sure they could … they just have a lot more sense than that. A girlfriend of mine has an African American mother, a Guyanese father … even she does not identify as an African American. My boyfriend was born in the states but a product of a Guyanese union. He’s clearly part Indian, which is common in Guyana. Should he call himself an African American too? Or should he be called an African Indian American? I see your point though, but mine is I’d rather be called what I am … black and that is it. Not a “politically correct” term. Whites are called White, blacks in America are called African-Americans. If you don’t see the flaws in that then I don’t know what to tell you. And I must admit, Marllon … IMO you came off a little annoying, which is why I have been coming off so harshly towards you. I apologize about that. I truly do. Let me pick a bone with you though… why do you consider yourself a black foreigner? That means you are not mixed … am I right? As for you Abagond … LOL. Sry … had to call you out on SOMETHING because you seem right in most cases. That is just not normal… though it is nice.
Wed 17 Sep 2008 at 20:56:21
I’m a White American (as in the straight off the farm doesn’t have any idea what his ancestry is except my last name is English or Scottish) who lives in Brazil. I would for sure consider Adriana Lima white. She is the same complexion as my grandmother and same feature types and my grandmother was considered white. I don’t think she looks any less white than your average Italian or Portuguese. Of course that is only my perspective, my girlfriend’s mom, who is very visibly mixed race (White, Black and Indian) argues that one of the first non white soap opera stars to actually be promoted as a sex symbol is this guy named Paulo Zulu who to me just looks like a southern European.
Thu 18 Sep 2008 at 11:21:38
Paulo Zulu could easily pass for Italian in the States.
Sat 20 Sep 2008 at 21:25:49
Marllon Says:
Tue 9 Sep 2008 at 03:41:29
“As for Adriana Lima, I discord when you say she doesn’t resemble her African ancestry, because she does, she has full lips, olive skin, and her natural hair is very curly, all of which are most likely passed down with help of African ancestry.”
I think I agree.
Sun 21 Sep 2008 at 03:34:05
I’m going to stand by what I said. If you are an American with African ancestry, then you are an African American, may you be directly or indirectly Afro-descended. Strangefruit may not be the average, standard, mainstream African American, but she is still African American, but since she doesn’t self-identify as such, then I’ll refrain from calling her such.
“So what you are saying is that I should identify myself as an African-American although my mother speaks with an accent and my dad a completely different language all together? No.”
Your mother’s accent and your father’s first language doesn’t determine you’re not African American. I grew up in a Portuguese-speaking household and my younger sister is definitely African American, and she wouldn’t deny it either. Gina Torres, La La Vazquez, Alfonso Ribeiro, and Tatyana Ali are all African Americans despite not having African American parents.
“Let me pick a bone with you though… why do you consider yourself a black foreigner? That means you are not mixed … am I right?”
I am still black despite my genetic admixture. The majority of mixed-race people who are mixed with black in the USA are commonly viewed as black rather than “mixed”. A mixed-race identity does not exist in documents here in the U.S. It’s not a big deal and I can care less.
As for Paulo Zulu, I read that 99.5% of his genotype is sub-Saharan African, which I find VERY hard to believe. I think the article must’ve misinterpreted, because I believe that it probably meant to say that one of his parent’s genome is 99.5%, subsequently making him 48.25% black, since I find it almost nearly impossible to believe that his genetic makeup is 99.5% black. I consider Paulo Zulu black, and I believe he self-identifies as black as well. His African features look really visible on a cover he graced for Brazilian Elle.
Wed 24 Sep 2008 at 17:04:15
“Gina Torres, La La Vazquez, Alfonso Ribeiro, and Tatyana Ali are all African Americans despite not having African American parents.” Marllon, you go ahead and tell LaLa Vasquez what she is and she’d damn you for calling her an African-American. She’s Puerto Rican– and rightfully so. I hope you know how very foolish you sound … you’re implying that all Hispanics born in America are African-American (considering I know for a fact that Latinos/Latinas are of African descent. Even if just a little) [FYI I am not Hispanic as all of the examples you used were Latina women... what were you trying to say?] I hope you can see the flaws in your claims. If you can not, I will gladly help you. If this were true — that all people born in the U.S. With African ancestry (directly or indirectly, in your words) are African-American then there would be absolutely NO need for the term “Hispanic.” As we’d all be African-American and labeled as such (singing “kumbaya” … lol … I have such a corny sense of humor sry) … yeah, but anyway I guess there is no need to further elaborate.
You said that you’d refrain from calling me an “African-American” but in the next paragraph you go to great lengths to prove (in which IMO you didn’t prove anything) that I am such? What an oxymoron. I am of great African descent. I am full black. Not part black, not 25% black … but full black and 0% African American. You’re black too, right? 20-25% to be exact. (You are right … 20-25% black isn’t a big deal, not in comparison to the 80-75% white lol) Stand by your opinion, I’ve been standing firmly behind mine. I believe I told you that in an earlier post … no?
Wed 24 Sep 2008 at 18:13:55
I said I would never refer to you or someone like you as African American if they didn’t self-identify as such but in the back of my mind I can’t help but still think ‘African American’, so it’s not an oxymoron. The terminology7 ‘Hispanic’ was coined in order to identify the of Mexican mestizos in the U.S., and because they had a distinct look, they coined the look ‘Hispanic’. If all Hispanics were monoracial, then the label ‘Hispanic’ wouldn’t be necessary in papers. I am black, regardless of percentages, there plenty of celebrities who are 20%-25% and self-identify as black. I believe Halle Berry is going to raise her daughter as a black child.
“you’re implying that all Hispanics born in America are African-American (considering I know for a fact that Latinos/Latinas are of African descent. Even if just a little) [FYI I am not Hispanic as all of the examples you used were Latina women... what were you trying to say?]“
I used Latinas as examples, since you are half Latina yourself. I’m not implying anything. Clearly, not all U.S.-born Hispanics are black, just the black ones are African Americans. Not all Hispanics have black blood either, so you’re wrong there. You’ll encounter many Afro-Latinos in Dominican Republic, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Panama, Uruguay, Colombia, and Venezuela.
“If this were true — that all people born in the U.S. With African ancestry (directly or indirectly, in your words) are African-American then there would be absolutely NO need for the term “Hispanic.”
Just because you’re Hispanic, it does not strip you from bein g African American as well. Keshia Knight Pulliam is of Jamaican American background, and as everyone knows, she proudly self-identifies as an African American woman.
My point is that you said that blacks born in the U.S. to immigrant ancestors are not African American, when of course they are. Maybe you don’t view yourself as African American, but any black American with parents from another country may self-identify as African American, because it’s what they are. To me, it just seems the terminology just doesn’t sit right with you, that maybe why you seem to reject it. Any black American with an immigrant background has the right to self-identify as African American if they wish to. The term ‘African American’ is applicable to all blacks born in the USA.
Wed 24 Sep 2008 at 22:54:18
you can not tell how much of any blood is in anyone based on looks.you could look like taye diggs and still be 70% white.i remember reading a article on a afro brazilian musician and he looked like a stereotypical west african his genetics test said that he was 67% white.
Wed 24 Sep 2008 at 23:02:20
like i hate when people that have a white parent and a black parent call themselves bi racial.bi mean 50/50.more than likely you are not half of either.like people on here trying to breakdown adriana lima like oh she is 25% black.get the fuck out of here.her immediate relatives(grandparents and parents)if they were pure then started mixing then yeah but when you use terms such as black and white in american ways then more than likely know you are not what you normally would be if from pure blooded parents.
Wed 24 Sep 2008 at 23:03:13
i meant no*
Wed 24 Sep 2008 at 23:18:40
marllon,jessica beals is half “american”black half “american” white which means one of three things.1she is half or more gentically black and not half genetically white.2 half or more genetically white and not half genetically black.3 she is neither half black or half white.like i said before you cant go off of looks.i hate when people say stupid ish like she looks this and that.unless she takes a genetics test you dont know what she is.also i hate when people use fractions of what someone should be.you cant apply fractions because the people you try to apply fractions to are more than likely not what they normally would be.for ex:if someone has pure black grandparents on there moms side and one white and one black grandparent on there dad side.then the parents would be the mom 100% black and the dad 50% white and black. then the kid would be 25% white.that is under normal cicumstances but most peoples cases do not follow this.like adriana lima,her grandma was more than likely not 100% black and her other grandparenst were more than likely not pure white etc.so how are you gonna apply something such as fractions to them when they dont even come from a pure start to a mixed product.
Wed 24 Sep 2008 at 23:35:52
strangefruit looks and your dna dont form shit for real.if you are white and black from the americas your offspring if mixed can more than likely not be broke down into fractions such as 1/4this and 1/2 that.because they are white and black “socially” not gentically.for the most part no one is pure in the americas so how you going to break there mixed kids down into fractions.when referring to people like tiger woods and adriana lima they are “socially” a quarter black.meaning yeah they have one “socially” black grandparent and the rest are white or in tigers case asian and indian.that does not mean they are a quarter black gentically.adriana could really be 50% gentically black and 25% white and indian.and tiger could be really 40% black and 20% thai 20% chinese and 20 indian.that is the reason i hate the way race is in the americas cause you can be grouped with people just based on looks but gentically be totally different then your looks.for ex:it is possible for a kid that has 2 darksinned parents to gentically be 50% black and 50% white.but still come out looking more black then anything.a lot of so called bi kids really arent half of either and a lot of so called black white etc kids really could be bi racial genetically.
Wed 24 Sep 2008 at 23:37:53
lmao i kept saying gentically i meant genetically.
Wed 24 Sep 2008 at 23:57:03
marllon are you the guy i talk to on youtube that had the video about being proud of your nappy hair
Wed 24 Sep 2008 at 23:58:14
also to benej a lot of italians spanish and portuguese have black blood.
Thu 25 Sep 2008 at 01:39:50
Hi, dcnot420, yes I am. This is a mighty coincidence. But it seems like you’re restating a point I already made concerning how genotype and phenotype do not correlate. The name of that Afro-Brazilian musician is Neguinho da Beija Flor, his geetic makeup is approximately 67% European and 31% sub-Saharan African. Overall, I concur with everything you just said. I believe the average Portuguese has more sub-Saharan African blood than the majority of other Southern Europeans, with southern Spaniards (Andalusians) being a close second, and Sicilians third.
Thu 25 Sep 2008 at 04:55:09
“I believe Halle Berry is going to raise her daughter as a black child” … it doesn’t matter. Black is not a culture my love, how on earth could she raise her daughter “black?” lol. Then with all due respect, Bill Clinton is as black as he claims to be … oh and Madonna too. I’m sry … I just can’t! … lol… that was funny. Yeah, but anyway … most (if not all) Latinas/Latinos in America are of black descent (even if just a little … as I stated before. Have you ever been to the Bronx? Spanish Harlem (Washington heights)? Brooklyn? You couldn’t pay me 2 believe that Latinos aren’t racially mixed.) as a matter of fact … I was going to bring up some other good points but um… to be absolutely honest … idc. I’m tired. We can go back and forth with what I self identify with as well as what you self identify with but we’ll only agree to disagree (I believe I said that in an earlier post too) I’m tired of reiterating myself. Stop. Thanks. And dcnot420 … I would respond to your post, its just that (no disrespect) I can barely read it. I am sorry. Maybe it is me and not you. I do have terrible vision.
Thu 25 Sep 2008 at 05:31:40
“Black is not a culture my love, how on earth could she raise her daughter “black?” lol.”
I’m completely aware that ‘black’ is not a culture. You’re misinterpreting my point. It’s obvious that I was talking about how she was going to raise her child to self-identify as in terms of ethnicity, which is most likely black. If you’re part black and you self-identify as such, then you’re black. Mariah Carey would have never been allowed to grace the cover of Ebony if society denied her as a black woman. In mainstream society, if you’re part black and strongly identify with it, then by all means you’re black. It’s just how it is here.
Thu 25 Sep 2008 at 18:40:54
marllon i know that genotype and phenotype do not correlate…one thing i hate about classism in brazil is they use the old white and black concept from racism and apply it to classism.they try to bs and say a poor white person is black and a rich black can be white.why cant a poor white be just that a poor white.and a rich black be just that a rich black.if brazilians wanted to show that classism’s color classifications and racism’s color classifications were not intertwined then why cant purple be rich and blue be poor.they kill me because its plain as day that they brought the white being rich and black being poor concept from racism to the classism concept.
Thu 25 Sep 2008 at 23:00:02
Ok, Marllon … good arguement. I totally understand where you are coming from. There comes a time when all good things must come to an end just as this good debate. I respect your knowledge and insight. Have a good one
Sat 27 Sep 2008 at 13:25:04
strangefruit in your arguement about you not being african american.yes you are.if your parents were born in a differnt country and you were born here you are african american of jamaican and w/e descent.for ex:if i move to colombia today and have a kid that is born there my kid is a black colombian of black american descent.that shit kills me when people adopt there parents nationalty they werent even born there, or grew up there for a long time.also i hate how americans in general we have the tendency to claim w/e country of descent we are but we dont understand that when we go to our countries of descent they dont look at you as being one of them you are a black,white,etc american to them.if a mexican american goes to mexico today mexicans will view them as a gringo just like they would view me.that diont mean they wont find you similiar but i know for a fact they wont view you as the same}(for the most part).
Sun 28 Sep 2008 at 04:33:20
Dcnot420 … you’re late. I don’t care what people view me as. Whites may view me as just another n*gger … that makes me no different. It is not what other ppl see me as, but what I see myself as. That is it. That “shit” can kill you even more for all I care. And like I said, if that were the case then all ppl born in America with African descent would be African American. Including “full blood” Latinas/Latinos. Furthermore… you’re late. Its over guy. Your a couple of days too late man … its over. And plz, space your words out and capitalize. Its basic. Not that hard. << See.
Sun 28 Sep 2008 at 21:13:56
In practice, if you look black and grew up in America in a black neighbourhood, then it does not matter where your parents came from or what you self-identify as: most people – black, white and foreign – will see you as an African American, plain and simple.
If you look black but grew up in America in a Latino or white neighbourhood, then it might not be so simple. You will still be black, but not necessarily African American.
If you look racially ambiguous, then it will probably come down to self-identification.
Mon 29 Sep 2008 at 14:36:25
WoW abagond, I love your blogs. From the history to Celebrating black women… Thank U!
**big hug**
Tue 30 Sep 2008 at 04:44:56
Thanks for the hug!!!
Wed 8 Oct 2008 at 00:17:04
strangefruit i dont feel like capatalizing my shit so be it.i did space out my words.like i said if you werent born or lived in that country you are not them.you can classify yourself all you want to but if dont make no sense it dont make no sense.is there a timer on here i didnt know i was late.can you show me where it is at.
Wed 8 Oct 2008 at 00:55:32
also if that is the case then known of us are americans,being the fact that we all come from immigrants.but guess what that would make NO SENSE the reason we are who we are is because of ASSIMILATION.if you are a 1st generation you still have claims to the old country.but you are still a part of the new.like a 1st gen white dominican would be a white dominican american but his or her kid would be a white american of dominican descent or a white american dominican.the former sounds better than thelatter
Wed 8 Oct 2008 at 00:57:52
i meant to say known of us are white,black etc americans we are instead irish,nigerian,etc americans due to us comiing from immigrants.
Wed 8 Oct 2008 at 00:59:04
none and none* lol
Thu 9 Oct 2008 at 03:03:25
Ok and that is your opinion. And you can’t see the timer because its not on the page but rather inside of me. And yes … it is late … about a week or so late. My patience ran thin about a week ago. So yeah … you’re late, now later Dcnot420 and I am still not African American. I’m afro Jamaican/Panamanian. =) … yeah you wasted your breath [not literally of course] take care.
Sun 12 Oct 2008 at 17:57:47
strangefruit we can agree to disagree.you make some good points on here but others i dont agree with.also when a timer goes out dont that mean you’re finished(lol ur still responding to me even though your timer is out).
Wed 22 Oct 2008 at 06:50:16
wow i’m suprised at the ignorance displayed to what is black, black isn’t a skin color to many people of lighter complexion who are of african descent. it’s our history, it’s our culture, but if we as a community have a problem with the term black maybe we should make a new term. and one more thing we should stop calling ourselves african this afro that, we are now americans, this is where our ancestor fought to break slavery, built many of these countries if not all, and when given a chance to return to africa said no we don’t know no africa we are americans, and i’m not talking about USA people, i’m talikng about all blacks and mulatto’s of north, south, caribbean, and central america, to be honest there isn’t any group of people more american than us, we have had heavy influences on many cultures and music in our countries, blacks in USA created hiphop and rock and roll, blacks in the caribbean created raggae, soca, carnival, and junkanoo, blacks in southern america have contributed to the majority of latin america culture if you look at brazils culture and food, actually look at the majority of south americas culture and food, we are the creators of all that is american, we should be proud and respect all with any number of african heritage as equal, but also treat our white, native, asian, american companions as equals aswell.
Thu 23 Oct 2008 at 03:17:52
Right: the countries of North and South America are not as white as they like to imagine – their food, their music, everything is partly black.
Thu 20 Nov 2008 at 10:50:19
I’ve read a lot of the comments on here and looked at the individual pictures of those on your list. And guess what they are beautiful BLACK women. all of them! And those people who disagree, need to ask themselves this one question. if they were members of your family would you still think the same way? Within my family i have these hues, and i love em all, not because one has hazel eyes or blue eyes or dark skin, or afro hair/ straight hair/dread locks ,or looks Black/asian/indian/white etc. I love em all, so you all need to stop this differentiating. THEY ARE BLACK Because they live it and feel it!
Tue 25 Nov 2008 at 07:40:02
I am a black louisiana creole and all these women LOOK BLACK TO ME..in my family you can find people that look like all these women…the only exception would be camila pitanga…but the rest ARE DEFINITELY BLACK..where I am from, we don’t have that PARDO SHIT..pardo IS BLACK where I come from..
Tue 25 Nov 2008 at 07:44:38
oh..but yeah…nevertheless, abagond should try to find to some darker women because they are JUST AS, IF NOT MORE BEAUTIFUL THAN BROWN AND LIGHTER BLACK WOMEN…so THEY SHOULD DEFINITELY BE INCLUDED..although not brazilians, examples include oluchi onweagba, kelly rowland, naomi campbell, gabrielle union, meagan good, and so on and so forth…
Tue 25 Nov 2008 at 07:50:56
oh yeah..I forgot about lauryn hill, angela bassett, holly robinson peete, (former whitney houston) etc..
Tue 25 Nov 2008 at 07:51:18
toni braxton
Wed 3 Dec 2008 at 07:51:22
I just wanna throw my 2 cents in to clarify the term “African American” since there seems to be some confusion. The term ‘African American’ was coined during the 60s or 70s during the civil rights movement. It was black Americans way to identify ourselves, as opposed to accepting or using the terms white America labeled us as (n*gger, colored, negro, etc. I have no problem w/ the word ‘Negro’ personally. Negro means black in Spanish; My only issue w/ the word is it sounds too similar to the “other” n word, but I guess that can’t be helped.) ‘African American’ (AA) generally refers to people born in America whose ancestors were brought to this country during the slave trade and forced into slavery. Generally black Americans who’s ancestors were slaves don’t know what country our ancestors were from. During slavery, we were cut off from our African culture, language, religion, country of origin, etc in the slave owners attempts to “de-Africanize” us. Unlike other ethnicities, all of that was taken away from us. All we know is they were from Africa, so we embrace the entire continent instead of a particular country. In contrast, Chinese Americans, Italian Americans, Mexican Americans, etc. who know the country their ancestors were from, we don’t. Now an African born in America who knows their parents country of origin could identify as Nigerian American, Ghana American, etc. In fact, Obama could actually identify himself as Kenyan American if he chose to. The best explanation of this I’ve come across so far is the AA page on wikipedia. They explain it far better than I could.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American#The_term_.22African_American.22
The way I see it, why should we deny our African ancestry just because it makes mainstream America (aka white people) uncomfortable when we embrace it? From what I’ve seen and experienced, the people who usually have a problem with the term is white people. It’s never a problem for German, Italian, Japanese, or Mexican Americans to embrace their ancestors country of origin. But there’s a problem with the term African American? I also have no problem with the term “Black” and I use both interchangably.
Wed 3 Dec 2008 at 08:57:04
As for the biracial/mixed race issue, I don’t subscribe to the one drop theory, never have, never will. There’s no such thing as “black blood” IMO. All blood was red last time I checked. However, I did come across an interesting comment on youtube. The video was an episode of Tyra’s show with all “black” models celebrating the all black issue of Italian Vogue. The show included Chanel Iman and Noemie Lenoire among others who appear more mixed than black. One person (probably white) commented that most of the models on the stage weren’t even black, they were mixed. Another replied that all African Americans are mixed, it’s only a matter of to what degree. I admit I feel that comment has a ring of truth.
The only reason I identify Halle Berry and Obama as black is because that’s obviously the way they self identify and see themselves. I believe self identification is important. I personally don’t believe it’s societies job to determine what a person should label or identify them selves as. At the end of the day, THEY are the ones who have to live in this world in their skin. It’s their decision, not mine or anybody elses. The same way I support Mariah Carey and Tiger Woods for identifying as multracial or “Cablasian” respectively. That’s their own right. They are no more right or wrong than Halle and Obama. I’m a little confused on the Bill Clinton/Madonna thing. When the hell did either of them identify themselves as black? WTF?????? I remember the black community embracing Clinton as the “first black president” cause we believed he was the closest thing we’d ever have to a black president lol. I still can’t believe a black man was elected president in my lifetime. More than that, I’m shocked that we have a black first lady (honestly in the back of my mind, I always expected the first black president to be married to a white woman).
My thing is I don’t like that mixed race people always feel that black people “force” them to identify as black. I hear it a lot and it bothers me (I hear it a lot from white people as well). Therefore I refuse to identify a biracial/mixed race person as black unless they themselves self identify as such. This is all, ofcourse, just my opinion and I don’t expect anyone to agree with me, but I hope that yall can at least respect an opinion differing from all the others here. Peace
Tue 9 Dec 2008 at 02:33:29
Abagond,you have a great blog! And I agree with you Nikki 100%!
Tue 9 Dec 2008 at 05:16:36
Thanks! I, myself, do not agree completely with Nikki.
Self-identification, for example, only works in certain cases. If I had the very same mix of races as Tiger Woods and called myself “Cablinasian” in the days before he made it famous, people would think I was a bit touched in the head. Unless, of course, I became a world-famous golfer. Then I could call myself whatever I liked (and try to act like the racist comments are no big deal).
Tue 9 Dec 2008 at 05:18:58
I wrote about the blackness of Madonna because when she first came on the radio people thought she was black and, as it turned out, she grew up in a black part of Pontiac, Michigan and says she feels black. So I thought that was interesting.
Tue 9 Dec 2008 at 05:21:04
josh: those are all beautiful women you listed, except maybe for Kelly Rowland, who is cute, not beautiful in my book. Some of them are already in other lists. I absolutely love Holly Robinson-Peete but keep forgetting to put her in. Thanks.
Wed 17 Dec 2008 at 13:18:23
Camila Pitanga, is white, I really hate Adriana Lima, she is a WHITE BITCH, it’s turn my stomach when this bitch keep saying she mix race she is a white racist cow. Ildi Silva This bitch is white, we have beautiful black, brown, yellow black women we don’t need whites saying there are nither. I accept light skin blacks because I am light skinned but these women use there so-called blackness to appear more Brazilians. There are many Real black women of many shades that can’t get modelling jobs. We don’t need a white fool telling lies that she mix or black when clearly she isn’t. I don’t care if you have white, indians blood you are NOW BLACK OR WHITE.
“Halle Berry is going to raise her daughter as a black child”
Halle Berry shouldn’t rise her child as black because her child isn’t black her child is WHITE. I am the same colour as Halle, but I am not mix-race. I don’t consider Halle mixrace but a black woman but she made her choice and her child is white.
The only reason, I have this colour is because a white slave owner raped my great great great grand mother and that nothing to shout out about we should be ashame that these vile men rape our great great great grand mothers. If we were born 150 year ago a white nasty ass man would have rape us with his friends. So take that in consideration when talking about ourseleves as being mix race people. We are African people that come in different shades because in slave we had no control over our bodies the white race would do open us what they wish like gang rape remember the KKK?
Mon 29 Dec 2008 at 19:53:24
From your West African Black man from ghana.
All of you who are claiming that this person is black and this person in not black are wasting your time because at the end of the day we are all human.Infact if you are the lightes person or the darkest the racist still exist so move on and contribute for a better cause.If you feel that you are offended then post some darker sisters on the page or do your research and develope your own website. We have bigger problems in life than color to worry about like the death and see if you can get into heaven becuase of color. don’t let the devil deceive you into such anger that you become blind. summit some darker beautiful sisters you think should be posted from brazil and call it a day.
Wed 31 Dec 2008 at 08:08:20
Agreed: if you think these women are not dark enough, then tell me some that are! Most women in Brazil that Americans would call black are light-skinned, especially those who are famous enough to be in the Wikipedia (which this list is limited to).
Wed 31 Dec 2008 at 14:29:46
Abagond,
In all respect, your comment above (#125) is some bullshit. Afro-Brazillians come in a variety of shades. The majority are not lightly complexioned. Where’d you get that from? LOL.
Also, from knowing some Afro-Brazillians, they determine race in a similar way that North Americans do. It’s just that they’re far MORE mixed. That complicates things.
Sun 4 Jan 2009 at 08:28:05
My understanding is that blacks in Colombia and Brazil are lighter, in general, than those in North America. It is mainly they mixed more with Europeans. I could be wrong, of course.
Thu 15 Jan 2009 at 04:32:39
I’m not going to bother with the politics of race… but I just want to say that I think Negra Li could have been on that list. She is GORGEOUS.
… Her, and a couple of hot samba dancers I see on youtube. =p
Thu 15 Jan 2009 at 05:15:55
I know about her! She was on this list in its early drafts. She is certainly in the top 20.
Thu 15 Jan 2009 at 09:03:33
you should do a top ten African beauty…more specifically Nigerian!!
Fri 16 Jan 2009 at 06:13:32
I live in America and we hear so little about African women over here apart from the few who go to Europe and make it big as fashion models, like Alek and Iman.
But I did make a list of those who I think are the most beautiful Nigerian actresses – since Nollywood is something knowable even in the States:
http://abagond.wordpress.com/2008/02/28/the-most-beautiful-nigerian-actresses/
Mon 2 Feb 2009 at 02:35:05
i find it funny when ppl say stuff like: ‘I am 20% black, 40% white, 20% Indian and 20% native american.’ i mean how does ppl calculate this stuff…………..and as far as the argument ‘being fully black goes’ i think most black ppl if not all black ppl in the WEST are mixed except for those indigenious Africans. how are we suppose to know what happened umpteenedth generations before?
Wed 25 Feb 2009 at 17:40:15
Those are some beautiful black women
Wed 25 Feb 2009 at 17:49:04
Well down to the person who posted this.
Reading some of the comments on here just confirms to me how much stupid thinking out there is on race. It really does bring a tear to my eye when I read so many people use the term mixed race and 20 percent this and 5 percent that. I am white guy I am not white becasue I am part of a pure race I am white because I have a european apparance. When I hear the words mixed and race it makes me think hitler must be looking up from hell laughting when you call someone mixed race you are by default saying you belive in pure races and that is a Nazi myth
Thu 26 Feb 2009 at 11:13:27
lets hear it for the uk guy!!! (claps riotously) here is someone who speaks sense!! he could have jewish ancestry(maybe) he could have long ago black ancestry like many white people who live in port cities like liverpool, bristol and london, but they look white and too all intents and purpose are white thus…. there it is.
Wed 4 Mar 2009 at 14:06:01
Sad that all of them have straightened long hair or extensions…can’t we just for once see some real, natural African beauties…please!
I am sick of labeling mixed race women as black at the expense of our homegrown beauties. Sanaa Lathan is of mixed race. Not black. Nor is Naomi Campbell, Beyonce, Rhianna etc etc.! Bah!
Wed 4 Mar 2009 at 23:59:06
I completely agree with you narcy…but I think campbell is black.
Tue 17 Mar 2009 at 01:31:50
Black is Black.Most blacks who forefathers came from the slave trade here in America are mixed.The mixture would include white,Native indian and african.it’s the same as any where else.I should know Iam a black American.Born and raised.Most people mistake me for a black chinese! American woman looks are extremely diversed.We come in different shapes from bigg but and shoet to tall and slender light dark and everything in between.Because this country is full of immigrants you don’t know who is who so sometimes you figure they are hispanic.Anyway,Black people are extremely diversed my hair has two different textures,While my brother has hair like a arab.My sister has red hair while the other one has blonde.Do you get my drift?All of this Iam two thirds black and a quater european is crazy.None of us are pure blooded.And Mixing is nothing new it has been going on since Ancient Eygpt.Being Black isn’t abouty complextion.You Can tell either by Certain Characteristics,discrimination or whatever.People just started calling themselves Black in the 60’s.Before that we were colored,niggers, negroid,negro,burntface Ethiopeans by the Greeks.Moores,and the different names go on and on.So please get over it.Stop trying to split black up you are a whole person.I can’t put all my different bloodlines on an Aplication .there is nothing wrong with choosing a race or a nation.Your just identifying with a culture or a group that share social,psycological etc.characteristics.
Fri 20 Mar 2009 at 19:46:28
Many italians , portuguese , french, and spaniards are not really pure white , most of them have african ancestry .There is so much black people in those countries and other part of europe , but there is a history about the southern europeans and africans , because it is so close to africa , and that is why so many have olive skin.They look totaly differnt then the nordics , even a mixed nordic looks more whiter then a southern european, i wondered why no body notice that.Yes ,in america those brazilian women will be consider black , because of the one drop rule.I don’t understand why most southern europeans are not consider black because alot of them have black ancestry.Not even notht africans are consider black and many even the whites looking north african who is a descendant of the original black moors are consider white , i guess because the white racist people want the credit of the civilization of the black arabs , the white ones were immigrants in north africa and they too stole the history of the original blak arabs, it is pure jealousy.I am mixed too , black is beautiful , any way.
Sun 22 Mar 2009 at 03:19:04
I agree: Mediterranean people do look markedly blacker than the people of northern Europe. It is more than just their skin colour too.
Sun 22 Mar 2009 at 07:38:51
Yeah, Italians, Portuguese, Spainards and the French often do have a phenotype thats clearly West African influenced.
It’s interesting, you have so many bozos on the internet trying to point out random black folks as “mixed” yet you have “whites” such as the Southern Europeans who have clear admixture and no one is claiming them as “mixed” or pointing out their “black”-ish appearance.
What’s that about?
Sat 4 Apr 2009 at 23:13:02
I have visited Salvador, Bahia, Brasil on many occasions and it is quite common to see siblings born of the same parents who range from dark with kinky hair to white with straighter hair. However, some white Brazilians will say that Adriana is not black or mulata but “morena clara” which means she is white with maybe some Native American ancestry.
Also it seems as if they deliberately lightened Ildi’s skin and lightened and straightened her hair so that she would appear less African or “black” on television. After all Brazil’s highest paid entertainer is the blonde Xuxa of European descent. When I first saw Ildi I thought she was Italian, Greek or Portuguese because the only pics I saw of her were the ones with the lightened skin and straightened hair. I didn’t know that she had African ancestry until I happened on this website and saw the untouched photos of her which makes her look totally different and more “black”.
Mon 4 May 2009 at 06:22:20
Those women are beautiful. Thanks for making a post for these beautiful black Brazilian women. I’m an African-American woman who’s always been interested in the culture of my Brothers and Sisters in South and Central America. I especially love the music and the dance.
For other commenters discussing blackness, to understand how to really know who is black and who is not I suggest you guys read Blackroots Science. Just google it. It’s available for free online. This book breaks blackness down better than any other book I’ve ever read. Also it tells about how the other races were made (as black people were the original people of the Earth) and why slave descendants of the African Diaspora are Yahweh’s Chosen People. Look for it on scribd.com if you can’t find the author’s website to download it.
Thu 7 May 2009 at 15:32:25
Hi. I’m from Finland. Blond fellow and i really was impressed about these beautifull black brazilian ladies. My favorite of these models is Rojane Fradique. Dear me how beautifull she is. So wonderfull charming features, beautifull color of skin and other features.
Sun 24 May 2009 at 11:46:15
Hi everybody. Let me tell you about my affair with the most beautiful Brazilian woman I have ever met, her name was Tatiana Gomes and I met her in Canberra. I still remember that it was our second date where she took me to her house and we had sex. I can’t forget that day.. Tatiana, I love you for ever
Sun 7 Jun 2009 at 08:32:28
wooooooooooow i am just love them kissssssssssssssssss
Thu 30 Jul 2009 at 09:50:48
lemmi say i am nigerian and afrobrazilian … but i clame nigeria can everyone stop sayin africa cause they’re idigenous white in africa BERBERS who are african but white … black and white are races that europeans made up being darker does not make one more african … in africa we identify based on ethinicity not race
Sat 7 Nov 2009 at 16:22:33
Honestly i feel insulted as a black women. These women do NOT represent black beauty.
I think they are GORGEOUS. Im not hating all im saying is they do NOT look like black women. They are not BLACK BEAUTY. and if a black man claims this to be black beauty then 90% of black women are screwed cause we do NOT look like this.
SO for the black man who made this list. DOES YOUR WIFE LOOK LIKE THIS???
Sat 7 Nov 2009 at 18:05:34
@Leslie
The beauty of Black women is that we are so physically diverse. I am happy that Abagond shows an array of Black beauty. I would be more insulted if he showed us as physically homogeneous.
Sun 8 Nov 2009 at 06:34:12
Leslie:
Brazil is a racist nation, worse than America. Its entertainment and modelling industries favour white women and, in some cases, light-skinned women. There has been only one black Miss Brazil and she was light-skinned (what Brazilians regard as mixed, not black):
http://blackbeautyoftheday.blogspot.com/2009/01/deise-nunes.html
Rojane Fradique is an excellent example of what I am talking about: every single Brazilian modelling agency she applied to told her no. It was only through a foreign model agency, Elite, that she broke into modelling. As racist as the world fashion industry is, Brazil is even worse.
More on Rojane:
http://abagond.wordpress.com/2007/11/14/rojane-fradique/
Sun 8 Nov 2009 at 06:47:45
My wife is on the order of Valquíria Ribeiro.
Sun 8 Nov 2009 at 10:25:00
^^
Recently, I was talking to a Brazilian woman about race. She emphasized that Brazil isn’t that racist. “It’s class that counts more, not color,” she said. I asked her if color influences class. She maintained that she finds the U.S. to be more racist than Brazil.
This woman referred to herself as a “pardo”, which means of mixed ethnicity in Brazil.
Sun 8 Nov 2009 at 11:39:40
Myname,
One of my best friend is brasilian (a big community lives in Switzerland) and she thinks quiet the opposite of your friend.
As she said to me, your experience of racism depends of how you look (black,mixed, white etc…) and where you live (flavelas…).
Sun 8 Nov 2009 at 11:52:47
Lynette Says:
The beauty of Black women is that we are so physically diverse. I am happy that Abagond shows an array of Black beauty. I would be more insulted if he showed us as physically homogeneous.
I agree with you (in certain way) but I always find disturbing by the fact that some are seen like beautiful black women when they have more in common with white women than black women.
so I can understand (in some degree) the anger of some for this post.
sometimes I do wonder what is exactly black beauty for some?
Sun 8 Nov 2009 at 17:58:18
Nubiahbelle,
See your Brazilian is either most honest or more informed. What would her racial classification be in Brazil? This Brazilian woman I spoke to looked “mixed”, I guess, but more on the dark Portuguese side. Perhaps, that informs her view of national racism.
Sun 8 Nov 2009 at 18:32:57
I should also note that 88% of blacks in Brazil are light-skinned. Since Brazil does not have the One Drop Rule they are not even seen as black but as mixed.
Unlike America, white women did not come in huge numbers till the late 1800s. Most white Portuguese men probably thought they would go to Brazil, make their fortune and come back home to Portugal. But as we know it rarely turns out that way, so most of them wound up settling down there, many of them taking a black or native wife. Now 43% of the people in Brazil are mixed.
Sun 8 Nov 2009 at 19:00:47
“I should also note that 88% of blacks in Brazil are light-skinned. Since Brazil does not have the One Drop Rule they are not even seen as black but as mixed.”
With all respect, Abagond, that above statement is grossly incorrect. Where did you get that figure? What constitutes “light skinned” to you, since as noted a million times on here, everyone has a different idea of what that is?
Um, most black Brazilians really don’t look too much different from any other black person from around the world.
Also, many “ambigious”-appearing Brazilians identify as black. And will let you know that they were treated as such in Brazil.
My knowledge of this doesn’t come from books or internet sites but actual experience.
Sun 8 Nov 2009 at 19:15:17
Nubiah,
I definitely hear what you are saying. However, I feel like some women like to have a monopoly on Blackness. I don’t believe a light skinned Black person is any less Black than someone of my color or darker. I feel like the women above are very representative of the different shades and features of Black women. Most of us fall somewhere in the middle of this spectrum. Most of us don’t look anything like Adriana Lima or Rojane Fradique. The vast majority of us look more like Lucy Ramos and Valquiria Ribeiro. Would it have been fair for Abagond to present 10 women that looked like Rojane Fradique? That would not be an accurate representation of Black beauty. My question is, what do we have to look like to be considered Black enough? Only three of these women are questionable (i.e., Adriana Lima, Ildi Silva, Camila Pitanga), and even they look like many of the Black women in my family.
Sun 8 Nov 2009 at 21:11:59
Mynameismyname:
I have never been to Brazil, so I will defer to your experience.
How I got my number of 88% is that of all people who are counted by the government as either negra (black) or pardo (mixed), 88% of those are pardo. I am assuming that most pardos are lighter skinned than most negras. Who counts as “light-skinned” is highly subjective, I know, but I took the pardo/negra line as a good place to draw it in this case.
Sun 8 Nov 2009 at 21:15:54
Adriana Lima has been on and off this list, so her blackness is a matter of debate. But by blood she is part black.
Sun 8 Nov 2009 at 21:35:26
Brazillian people are Biracial black people. They are even more diluted then the black american. They look more white then anything else. versus the average a full black american.
“sometimes I do wonder what is exactly black beauty for some?”
I believe black beauty consist of full lips, broad flat nose, large, almond shape eyes, and cheep bones.
I BELIEVE BLK PEOPLE ORIGINATE FROM AFRICA
, if you look at black slaves)american decent is from AFRICA!!!!! Look at AFRICA today and THAT IS WHERE BLACK BEAUTY ORIGINATED. THAT IS BLACK BEAUTY?????
This is a black blog about race, I question the so called “black man” who is writing this blog. If he is even black. Because this is the reflection of the average american black man, black women are truly screwed!!!!
Sun 8 Nov 2009 at 23:34:19
Abagond,
OK, so now I realize where you got that flawed notion. You’re thinking that the racial classification in Brazil is similar (or identitical) to racial classification in the U.S.
“Mixed” in Latin America, in Brazil especially, is MUCH more broad. Remember, the likes of Will Smith, Oprah Winfrey, Morgan Freeman, Quincy Jones and Sanaa Lathan could be considered “pardo” in Brazil. Racial classification isn’t as strict as it is in the U.S. and Europe. Perhaps that has to do with the liberal attitude that the Portuguese (and Spainard) slave masters had that contributes to the heavily mixed society that comprises Brazil and other Latin countries.
The idea that Afro-Brazilians as a whole are “white looking” or “light skinned” is just pure ignorance. It’s quite the opposite, really.
Also remember that even if the likes of Will, Oprah, Q, etc. did consider themselves “pardo” in Brazil, they still would generally be seen as black and treated as such there.
Mon 9 Nov 2009 at 06:25:22
mynameismyname Says:
Nubiah
See your Brazilian is either most honest or more informed. What would her racial classification be in Brazil? This Brazilian woman I spoke to looked “mixed”, I guess, but more on the dark Portuguese side. Perhaps, that informs her view of national racism.
Myname,
My friend is a pardo as well but looks like the average black woman or like someone from Angola or Congo(when you know the story of black Brasilians, you can understand why!)
the black Brasilians looking ambiguous is a minority!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mon 9 Nov 2009 at 06:44:38
I agree with your comment #162.
I also think some people included ABA (no offence), think and beleive the Brasil is like the (fake) postal card, they are selling to the Western World.
- full of light skinned or ambiguous looking.
thia statement is untrue (in term of phenotype of course), some do but most look either black or portuguese or white or indian.
Mon 9 Nov 2009 at 06:59:12
I believe black beauty consist of full
MzMee Says:
lips, broad flat nose, large, almond shape eyes, and cheep bones.
MzMee,
all of Blacks don’t fall into this description.
Lynette,
I hear ya but I just feel sometimes everything is called black.
Too many times when Whites don’t consider someone to be like them they put it in the Black box.
Mon 9 Nov 2009 at 08:58:53
Thank you, Nubiahbelle!
Most Afro Brazilians don’t look too different from most Afro Americans!
You’re right “ambigious”-looking Brazilians are a minority. Many Brazilians played on the tennis team at my college alma mata, for instance. They all were as European as a white Anglo. They were basically “ethnic whites”.
Black Brazilians are basically Angolans and Congolese. Just like Jamaicans are mostly Ghanaians. PRs/Dominicans/Cubans are mainly Nigerian (Yoruba). Haitians are mostly Beninese. Black Americans from the Carolinas can usually trace back to Sierra Leone.
American, Afro Latino, Afro Caribbean…whatever you wanna call it, please acknowledge this:
It all comes from the same place.
Same ship. Different trip. Western blacks are all directly connected. Language and different slavery tatics are the only thing that seperates.
Mon 9 Nov 2009 at 18:27:56
mynameismyname,
What is your source of information regarding the African origins of Afro Brazilians, Jamaicans, PR’s, Dominicans, Cubans, Hatians, or Black Americans from the Carolinas?
Mon 9 Nov 2009 at 20:03:38
Myname says:
Black Brazilians are basically Angolans and Congolese. Just like Jamaicans are mostly Ghanaians. PRs/Dominicans/Cubans are mainly Nigerian (Yoruba). Haitians are mostly Beninese. Black Americans from the Carolinas can usually trace back to Sierra Leone.
I agree with that.Nice to see I am not the only one to know. LOL!!!!!
also Brasilian culture has been heavely (mostly!?) influenced by Angola and Congo.
ex:capoeira, from Angola etc…
The funny thing when I watch a movie with a black cast(non-African), I am always trying to guess where they come from, I mean with the phenotypes I can say which country or tribe they come from.
Myname says:
American, Afro Latino, Afro Caribbean…whatever you wanna call it, please acknowledge this:
It all comes from the same place.
Same ship. Different trip. Western blacks are all directly connected. Language and different slavery tatics are the only thing that seperates.
I could have written that, very well-said!!!!!
Mon 9 Nov 2009 at 20:54:42
“The funny thing when I watch a movie with a black cast(non-African), I am always trying to guess where they come from, I mean with the phenotypes I can say which country or tribe they come from.”
-I do that too! With black Americans, it can get interesting because many look like a variety of African ethnicities! LOL. Out of curiousity, Nubiah, where would you place black celebs like Rihanna, 50 Cent, Janet Jackson, Spike Lee and Zoe Saldana at first glance? I have an idea on some of those randomly picked names but I’m curious to see what someone else thinks.
Mon 9 Nov 2009 at 22:54:45
mynameismyname,
I don’t deny that Afro Brazilians, Jamaicans, PR’s, Dominicans, Cubans, Hatians, or Black Americans from the Carolinas have African origins.
I wanted to know what source (book, website, academic study, etc.), other than speculation, you were using to confirm the exact African countries of origin for each of these groups.
Tue 10 Nov 2009 at 04:38:59
^^^
Good question, Laromana. It’s a multitude of sources. Way too many to list on a simple website such as yourself. I’m sure if you were to do your own research, you’d find out the same information.
Tue 10 Nov 2009 at 04:41:16
^^^
Good question, Laromana. It’s from a multitude of sources. Way too many to list on a simple website such as this one. I’m sure if you were to do your own research, you’d find out the same information.
There is one website, raceandstuff, that dealt with all of that racial anthropology stuff. They can also back up the facts of the specific West and Central African origins of western blacks.
Tue 10 Nov 2009 at 07:10:51
Myname says:
-I do that too! With black Americans, it can get interesting because many look like a variety of African ethnicities! LOL. Out of curiousity, Nubiah, where would you place black celebs like Rihanna, 50 Cent, Janet Jackson, Spike Lee and Zoe Saldana at first glance? I have an idea on some of those randomly picked names but I’m curious to see what someone else thinks.
Myname,
Having many friends coming from a different variety of countries in Africa (and also due a lot of travelling), all blacks (non African)I see on TV always remind me someone.
To put them in a country everything play from the phenotype to the body type.
Janet I think she’s from Ivory Coast
RIRI because of her features I would say Angola
Tyra from Rwanda
50 cent between Benin and Sierra Leone
Spike lee and Zoe Zaldan let me see a pic, I don’t remember their faces
But for that I recall I think she has 2 African countries in her.
And you what do u think?
Thu 12 Nov 2009 at 05:43:04
Nubiah,
Hmmm…
I can buy the Jacksons being from the Ivory Coast.
I can defintely go with Tyra being from Rwanda.
Saldana seems more Nigerian to me, she’s from the DR so that may be a given.
Rihanna seems more West African to me but Angola could be a possibility.
Spike reminds me of a Congolese professor that I once had.
I always thought the Mowry twins, Tia and Tamara, could pass for Ethiopian. Aisha Tyler, the commedianne/actress, could easily be Somali. It’s funny though because their ancestors derive from West Africa.
Thu 12 Nov 2009 at 07:05:44
Myname,
Agree wit the Mowry twins and Aisha.
Saldana I agree because of the way she’s (tall, thin etc) those are kinda common for someone from the Yoruba tribe but I do believe she has something else.
for RiRi, I still believe she’s from Angola, they have a tribe there, they are RiRi look alike in term of features and skin tone.
What do you think about those below? to me
Usher and Edddy Murphy seem from Cameroon.
and 50???