Yaba Blay

Dr. Yaba Blay, an esteemed author and scholar focused on race, beauty, and identity, shares her transformative insights. She discusses how beauty standards can oppress, while true beauty embodies freedom. Dr. Blay challenges the notion of allyship, emphasizing the need for genuine accomplices in justice work. The conversation also touches on the historical roots of racism, the legacy of figures like Malcolm X, and the importance of rethinking narratives surrounding race and identity—especially for future generations.

Dr. Yaba Blay, a scholar-activist focused on Black women's experiences, discusses her impactful book, One Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race. She delves into the complexities of identity and how colorism impacts self-perception. The conversation addresses the emotional toll of seeking validation, particularly in academia. Blay shares historical context around colorism and its social implications, urging deeper understanding and accountability. With humor, she emphasizes community support and the journey of navigating race in today's society.

From the One Drop Rule to low essence media stereotypes, America continues to attempt to fit Blackness into a box. This has led to Black folks policing their own Blackness and divisions based on colorism and ethnic backgrounds. Daily Show writer Ashton Womack, and Yaba Blay, author of the book One Drop: Shifting the Lens on Race, join Host Roy Wood Jr. to attempt to define Blackness as an ideology and open up about moments when they didn’t feel “Black enough.” More Beyond the Scenes: http://podcasts.iheartradio.com/5VF7TkWF?sid=soc See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.