# Are black women generally less attractive then white women? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 27, 2009, 1:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163 "2009-01-27T01:16:15Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 9
**Author:** ![gurujulp](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/ba9def/32.png) [@gurujulp](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gurujulp)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 6:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/161 "2009-02-05T06:38:35Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > I’m straight but I’d rather do Barack than Michelle. She’s kinda scary looking. I would agree with this entirely- until they hit the white house. She has had a magician working on her- I have appreciated but not been attracted to her until now! I would totally turn michelle out if the wh staff had first crack at her! In a different line, I also did not think the kids were particularly good looking until the parade review. It may just be my mind relaxing from him actually being sworn in, but I tend to think it was the super-makeupartists… eta; holy shit, I didn’t mean to quadruple post, I was sure I was reading slow enough to get some in between… ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 3:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/162 "2009-02-05T15:36:03Z")
> [@gurujulp](#): > > She looks almost exactly like my white nordic blonde, blue eyed, small breasted, ex-model cousin. > > So- yeah, beautiful. Not attractive. White features. What? ---
**Author:** ![even\_sven](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/dfb087/32.png) [@even\_sven](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/even_sven)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 4:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/163 "2009-02-05T16:39:07Z")
Let’s not go too far with the “white features” thing. Africa is a diverse place and there are groups with the whole range of features. One of West Africa’s more promienent ethnic groups, the Peul/Fulbe/Fulani/Whatever are renown for their narrow and pointed noses, hooded eyes and sculpted faces. Here is [a picture of a lady](http://flickr.com/photos/8788342@N08/2531037274) with pretty common Fulbe facial feautres. There are probably less people of Fulbe heritage in American because the Fulbe tended to be slave traders rather than tradees. But it’d be wrong to call their features ‘white’. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 4:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/164 "2009-02-05T16:51:29Z")
> [@even\_sven](#): > > Let’s not go too far with the “white features” thing. Africa is a diverse place and there are groups with the whole range of features. One of West Africa’s more promienent ethnic groups, the Peul/Fulbe/Fulani/Whatever are renown for their narrow and pointed noses, hooded eyes and sculpted faces. Here is [a picture of a lady](http://flickr.com/photos/8788342@N08/2531037274) with pretty common Fulbe facial feautres. There are probably less people of Fulbe heritage in American because the Fulbe tended to be slave traders rather than tradees. But it’d be wrong to call their features ‘white’. True, especially when it comes to ‘What “race” is the most/least attractive?’ (again, a ludicrous question). But as far as media images go where populations are predominantly Caucasian, it’s not coincidence that the black women who make it onto People’s sexy lists tend to have pale skin, straightened hair, low BMIs and small features. Any darker or larger gets to play the sassy, desexualized best friend or school principal. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/165 "2009-02-05T17:06:10Z")
I’m still trying to figure out how a chocolate-skinned, brown-eyed brunnette with voluptuous lips and fairly typical African-American nose looks so much like a blonde, blue-eyed Nordic woman that the former is declared to have “white features” with no hint of irony. Other than her straightened hair, nothing about that lady strikes me as white. If I were to see a white woman who looked like her, I’d probably think she was black. I’m pretty amazed that this thread is persisting in GD. I guess the mods think the attractiveness of black women can actually be debated like politics can. ---
**Author:** ![Cat\_Fight](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/90ced4/32.png) [@Cat\_Fight](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cat_Fight)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 5:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/166 "2009-02-05T17:09:01Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > I’m pretty amazed that this thread is persisting in GD. I guess the mods think the attractiveness of black women can actually be debated like politics can. I’m having a bit of trouble with that, too. Half this thread is just a lame game of ‘Would you hit that?’ ---
**Author:** ![Khadaji](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Khadaji](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Khadaji)\ **Post date:** [February 5, 2009, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/167 "2009-02-05T17:38:31Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > I’m still trying to figure out how a chocolate-skinned, brown-eyed brunnette with voluptuous lips and fairly typical African-American nose looks so much like a blonde, blue-eyed Nordic woman that the former is declared to have “white features” with no hint of irony. Other than her straightened hair, nothing about that lady strikes me as white. If I were to see a white woman who looked like her, I’d probably think she was black. > > I’m pretty amazed that this thread is persisting in GD. I guess the mods think the attractiveness of black women can actually be debated like politics can. I so totally agree. I would have to see a pic of this woman before I could be convinced that they look alike. IMO, there are stunning women of all races. (Now if I could only convince \*one \*of them to date me… :)) ---
**Author:** ![myopinion542](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c5a1d2/32.png) [@myopinion542](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/myopinion542)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 6:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/168 "2010-07-25T18:55:37Z")
I am a black women and have been called attractive by black men and white men, but this question is far to narrow. If your friend is attracted to blond haired, blue eyed white women(just generalizing), then anyone outside of that type is going to seem less attractive to your friend because it’s not what he is attracted to.This is like asking who the most beautiful women in the world is, there simply isn’t one because every woman looks different and what is attractive to one may not be attractive to all. Lighten up on your friend, because quite honestly I don’t beleive any of us beautiful black women are going to lose any sleep over his opinion.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![An\_Gadai](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/d6d6ee/32.png) [@An\_Gadai](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/An_Gadai)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 6:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/169 "2010-07-25T18:57:47Z")
What do you think of zombie women? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 6:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/170 "2010-07-25T18:59:55Z")
> [@An\_Gadai](#): > > What do you think of zombie women? The rules on zombie women have been recently loosened. ---
**Author:** ![FloatyGimpy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/floatygimpy/32/7750_2.png) [@FloatyGimpy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/FloatyGimpy)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/171 "2010-07-25T19:18:01Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > > [@An\_Gadai](#): > > > > What do you think of zombie women? > > The rules on zombie women have been recently loosened. Loose Zombie Women. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 7:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/172 "2010-07-25T19:28:00Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#): > > Loose Zombie Women. Now there’s a relationship that’s destined to fall apart. Oh, and dibs on the band name. ---
**Author:** ![Mijin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mijin/32/9369_2.png) [@Mijin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mijin)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 7:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/173 "2010-07-25T19:34:42Z")
> [@myopinion542](#): > > If your friend is attracted to blond haired, blue eyed white women(just generalizing), then anyone outside of that type is going to seem less attractive to your friend because it’s not what he is attracted to. It can be more strange than that though. In my own case, black women tick a lot of boxes for me; they’re often really cool to hang out with, and, frankly, they tend to have great figures. If a white woman has either of these properties, I’m all over her, but I rarely go for black women. It makes no sense. ---
**Author:** ![SirRay](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/cc9497/32.png) [@SirRay](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SirRay)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 8:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/174 "2010-07-25T20:37:35Z")
> [@FloatyGimpy](#): > > > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > > > > [@An\_Gadai](#): > > > > > > What do you think of zombie women? > > > > The rules on zombie women have been recently loosened. > > Loose Zombie Women. [Zombie Strippers?](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zombie_Strippers) ---
**Author:** ![Markxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/5daacb/32.png) [@Markxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Markxxx)\ **Post date:** [July 25, 2010, 10:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/175 "2010-07-25T22:43:07Z")
I think the biggest REAL difference between black and white women is their attitude about weight. Look no one wants to be overweight but black women are more forgiving about being overweight. And black men are more likely to accept or even LIKE an overweight woman. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 12:14am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/176 "2010-07-26T00:14:56Z")
> [@you\_with\_the\_face](#): > > I’m still trying to figure out how a chocolate-skinned, brown-eyed brunnette with voluptuous lips and fairly typical African-American nose looks so much like a blonde, blue-eyed Nordic woman that the former is declared to have “white features” with no hint of irony. Other than her straightened hair, nothing about that lady strikes me as white. If I were to see a white woman who looked like her, I’d probably think she was black. To me, she looks like something like a black Angelina Jolie, if you’re talking about the picture in **even sven’s** post. But I think the point is that there is a broad spectrum of facial features in African populations (which I’m sure you know), and that whites don’t “own” the features that are typically associated with whites. I would probably have chosen a picture of someone from East Africa (Ethiopia, for example), but you can find people who look sort of like black Asians, too. Or, we could say that Asians look like lighter versions of those African populations. ---
**Author:** ![rhubarbarin](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/eb9ed0/32.png) [@rhubarbarin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhubarbarin)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/177 "2010-07-26T00:57:57Z")
I think beauty is pretty subjective, and I think it’s hard for most people to develop a reference of beauty that’s outside the people they are normally exposed to. Plus racism, the media, and now porn have an effect on nearly everyone these days. I’ve heard ‘I’m not attracted to black women’ or ‘black women are the least attractive’ plenty of times. I’m a bi woman, and one who is primarily attracted to people who look very different from my family and I (I’m a blonde, blue-eyed WASP). I find light hair a distinct turn-off, for instance. And very dark skin is very beautiful and sexually attractive to me. Why, I don’t know. To me, many of the most facially stunning women I’ve ever seen are African, in particular the women of the Dinka ethnic group (Alek Wek is Dinka, but to me her face is just cute): [http://www.heavensfamilymedia.org/updates/2008\_05/\_MG\_6844.jpg](http://www.heavensfamilymedia.org/updates/2008_05/_MG_6844.jpg) [http://gallery.photo.net/photo/7676900-md.jpg](http://gallery.photo.net/photo/7676900-md.jpg) [![](https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/2922638537_a5942cafd0.jpg) ](https://farm4.static.flickr.com/3118/2922638537_a5942cafd0.jpg) [http://images.cdn.fotopedia.com/flickr-2405397376-image.jpg](http://images.cdn.fotopedia.com/flickr-2405397376-image.jpg) **NFSW** : [http://images.imagestate.com/Watermark/](http://images.imagestate.com/Watermark/) 1257533.jpg Most Dinka people have amazing bodies, too - if you like the supermodel type. > [@](#): > > I’m still trying to figure out how a chocolate-skinned, brown-eyed brunnette with voluptuous lips and fairly typical African-American nose looks so much like a blonde, blue-eyed Nordic woman that the former is declared to have “white features” with no hint of irony. Other than her straightened hair, nothing about that lady strikes me as white. If I were to see a white woman who looked like her, I’d probably think she was black. This is a great post. Whitewashing happens in America, but let’s not forget that most of Africa is populated by people who don’t have what Americans may think of as stereotypically ‘African’ (West African?) features, without racial mixing. ---
**Author:** ![athelas](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/5e9695/32.png) [@athelas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/athelas)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 1:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/178 "2010-07-26T01:23:51Z")
> [@brazil84](#): > > Here is an article you may find interesting: > > [Is Love Colorblind?](http://www.isteve.com/IsLoveColorblind.htm) > > > [@](#): > > > > The heart of the problem for Asian men and black women is that intermarriage does not treat every sex/race combination equally: on average, it has offered black men and Asian women new opportunities for finding mates among whites, while exposing Asian men and black women to new competition from whites. I like this approach. When discussing something as abstract as beauty, talk generally degenerates into either status mongering between different groups or vapid talk about Platonic essences. It’s much more instructive to look at what people _do_, rather than say. I started a [thread](http://boardstest.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=553002) earlier after noting some racial trends that are not much talked about, at least in public. > [@](#): > > Among the women, 73% stated a [racial] preference. Of these, 64% selected whites only, while fewer than 10% included East Indians, Middle Easterners, Asians or blacks. … 59% of [men] stated a racial preference. Of these, nearly half selected Asians, but fewer than 7% did for black women. … In October, [[OkCupid.com](http://OkCupid.com)], 80% of whose members choose to input their race, studied the messaging patterns of more than a million users and concluded on its official blog that “racism is alive and well.” … ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 3:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/179 "2010-07-26T03:15:35Z")
> [@Markxxx](#): > > I think the biggest REAL difference between black and white women is their attitude about weight. > > Look no one wants to be overweight but black women are more forgiving about being overweight. And black men are more likely to accept or even LIKE an overweight woman. See, weight is a confusing topic, because black women seem to be overweight in a \*different way \*than white women. And many black men will gladly accept an overweight white woman, I’ve seen it done plenty, but when they praise and admire overweight bodies, it tends to be a specific way that black women put on weight and are built. ---
**Author:** ![you\_with\_the\_face](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/y/ecccb3/32.png) [@you\_with\_the\_face](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/you_with_the_face)\ **Post date:** [July 26, 2010, 4:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163/180 "2010-07-26T04:01:48Z")
[QUOTE=rhubardin] This is a great post. Whitewashing happens in America, but let’s not forget that most of Africa is populated by people who don’t have what Americans may think of as stereotypically ‘African’ (West African?) features, without racial mixing. [/QUOTE] I don’t even think it’s about white people assuming black people all have stereotypical features. That model that my post was about has thick lips, large round eyes, a non-aquiline nose, dark skin…features that are inarguably associated with black folk. So the real issue is a bit deeper than that. I think a lot of white people have the subconscious belief that if a black women looks attractive to them, it’s because they look white. Black features that match up to a pretty face suddenly become “white features”. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163.md?page=8) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-women-generally-less-attractive-then-white-women/483163.md?page=10)