“My issue when I was growing up was always my weight. I would see Beyoncé or J-Lo in music videos and I would ask, ‘Why can’t I be like them?’ They have a curviness, a sexiness. Coming from a black [Jamaican] community, curves are celebrated and being the skinny black girl when I was growing up was hard.” - Jourdan Dunn, to the Guardian.
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posted by andremichael
Dec 22, 2008 10:26AM
uhhh, i don't think she's complaining. the emphasis of that quote is "when I was growing up.." & she's just highlighting society's notion that minority females should be curvier.
but Jourdan clearly has the last laugh now. it's that whole ugly duckling thing. remember Shandy from ANTM? lol.
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posted by kijjalyn
Dec 22, 2008 11:12AM
I really don't think she was complaining as much as explaining a different cultural perspective. Remember she has only really been a supermodel for a couple years. I can only speak from my own experience, but size in the black community is viewed differently than it may have been in others. If you aren't a model or ballerina, super skinny is not an asset. Again not complaining, just sharing.
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posted by marichon
Dec 22, 2008 11:45AM
#9--I can only speak for myself of course, but I don't think anyone has missed the "cultural aspect." It is pretty front and center in the quote. It is just that overall, people are sick of this discussion, whatever the reason for it. Every culture has subtle or not-so-subtle standards of beauty, many of which are different from anything seen in mainstream fashion. You cannot change your build (you can a little, but not really), your eye shape, your nose shape, etc. I am just sick of all the navel gazing from celebrities, reality TV, whomever, about it.
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posted by guest
Dec 22, 2008 3:43PM
I think that it is completely unfair to bash her for stating what it was like growing up. Being skinny in the African American community is not something that is prized- nor coveted by many African American women.
The damage that is done at an early age, from ridicule really affects the psyche.
It's not so easy to just "Move On". It shocking to hear the
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posted by Pretty Young Thing
Dec 22, 2008 5:03PM
#8 Jourdan isn't a supermodel, but she's a top 50 model and she's been there for about half a year. Just thought I'd clarify. :)
And I think this could be an insightful cultural quote, but it's just a fact of black communities that doesn't really need to be repeated over and over. And it bugs how this comes across as one of those things where models say they grew up so skinny and were made fun of and now it's to their advantage, blah blah blah. It's just boring...not quote of the day worthy.
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posted by fashionfix
Dec 22, 2008 7:36PM
i'm a tall skinny african-american (ok, more like jamaican-canadienne)!
not to date myself, but one time in jr. high i wore hip-huggers to school and a girl from the popular black-girl clique at my school whispered loudly (in true passive agressive jamaican and/or canadian fashion) "i believe you need HIPS to wear hip huggers..."
needless to say, i donated those pants to goodwill.
it really sucks growing up the skinny black girl until you start university when there's finally a diverse enough group of guys to appreciate "a model's body".
now i plan on staying 110 pounds 5'8'' forever. :)
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posted by guest
Dec 22, 2008 9:59PM
I also am a skinny African American, and constantly get criticized from guys who think I'm too skinny and that I need to be thicker/ have a bigger butt. It used to bother me A LOT, I would always see the guy I liked go for someone curvier. Now I am older and it doesn't bother me at all, I am skinny and fabulous and any guy who doesn't think so isn't worth my time.
and I am pretty sure no "thick" girl can fit into the tiniest Tom Ford era Gucci dress that I tried on the other day : )
So I understand where Jourdan Dunn is coming from. It definitely takes a toll on your self confidence.
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posted by guest
Dec 22, 2008 9:59PM
I also am a skinny African American, and constantly get criticized by guys who think I'm too skinny and that I need to be thicker/ have a bigger butt. It used to bother me A LOT, I would always see the guy I liked go for someone curvier. Now I am older and it doesn't bother me at all, I am skinny and fabulous and any guy who doesn't think so isn't worth my time.
and I am pretty sure no "thick" girl can fit into the tiniest Tom Ford era Gucci dress that I tried on the other day : )
So I understand where Jourdan Dunn is coming from. It definitely takes a toll on your self confidence.
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posted by etoilee8
Dec 23, 2008 3:28PM
I agree with a lot of the other African American girls on here. I was teased so much for having a "flat butt" growing up. It didn't really bother me a ton. But I can see how that would damaging to your self esteem. I never thought my butt was anywhere near amazing until I met my best friend, a skinny/waif-life Swedish girl who exclaimed "To have a butt like your's would be amazing". That was the first time, I truly realized we all have something which someone else covets.
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posted by xWesleighx
Dec 23, 2008 7:57PM
where to begin?! I come from a Jamaican-English background and have heard it all, but now that I'm in Miami I think it's all just a matter of perspective. you've got curvy women from cultures all over the Caribbean and S. America and tons of model-types too here. Celebrate who you are & where you come; so long as you're healthy :)
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posted by venusasaboy
Dec 24, 2008 12:45AM
in response to jourdan... those curvy women you idolized are no designers muse. your aesthetic is industry standard. as minorities our views of acceptance amongst each other are skewed. there's a fine line between waifish and obese & that's health. each time you tip the runway to walk milan, know the world saw it for you.
posted by kijjalyn
Dec 22, 2008 9:28AM
I completely understand Jourdan's sentiments. Even as an adult, being the skinny black girl is not coveted. No one wanted to be “shaped like a white girl” (no offense). I have come to accept my small frame and lack of curves, but strange as it may sound, the waif was never the ideal in the black community.