“Light Skin Libra Birthday Bash” For Black Women
What Do You Think About It?
DETROIT — A local DJ and party promoter retreated Thursday from a plan to sponsor a bash that would let “light-skinned” black women into a downtown club for free.
But the “Light Skin Libra Birthday Bash” at Club APT on Woodward Avenue turned out to be a bashing — of promoter Ulysses “DJ Lish” Barnes after word of the unusual party spread on the Internet.”I made a mistake,” Barnes said. “I didn’t think there would be a backlash.” Barnes, who said he’s been a party promoter for six years, canceled the event. He said he has gotten angry calls and e-mails from around the country about the party.”I didn’t mean to offend anyone,” he said. “I had planned a party for other shades (of black women). We were going to take a shade of color each week. Next week was going to be a party for ‘Sexy Chocolate’ and the week after that ‘Sexy “ Caramel.’ Barnes is African-American and describes himself as “dark skinned.” The issue of skin color is an often painful and emotional among African-Americans. The history of slavery and the resulting legacy of intra- racial segregation have sometimes pitted darker- skinned and lighter-skinned blacks against one another. more
