ZOE SALDANA: “I AM A BLACK WOMAN”
Posted by Cipriana Quann
09/17
As I was searching for inspirational style pictures on one of my favorite style sites ”Black and Killing it”
http://blackandkillingit.com created by Neil Alvin. I came across a small debate that seemed to stir when Neil posted a comment from a reader about a quote that the beautiful, talented and well known actress of Star Trek, Avatar and most recently Colombiana, Zoe Saldana stated. The comment reads as follows:
“When I go to the D.R., the press in Santo Domingo always asks, “¿Qué te consideras, dominicana o americana?” (What do you consider yourself, Dominican or American?) I don’t understand it, and it’s the same people asking the same question. So I say, time and time again, “Yo soy una mujer negra.” (“I am a black woman.”) [They go,] “Oh, no, tú eres trigueñita.” (“Oh no, you are ‘dark skinned’”) I’m like, “No! Let’s get it straight, yo soy una mujer negra.” (“I am a black woman).”
Most of Neil’s readers felt there was no need for a debate and that it was this woman’s prerogative while a few others were a bit peeved that Zoe identified herself as a black woman and thought she should identify herself as mix.
Why do you think Zoe’s comments irked some nerves?
Zoe Saldana: “I am a Black Woman”