Pearl Thusi breaks down, tells of the 'light skin' hate she's been receiving
Pearl Thusi has had enough of the colourism hate aimed at her.
Pearl Thusi had a mini-breakdown on live television when she outright said how she feels. She ripped off the plaster on her struggles of always trying to prove herself to people, who only believe that she receives gigs because of her skin tone. How absurd?!
Read: Pearl Thusi dragged for 'inappropriate' comment on the death of Khanyi Mbau's father
Pearl broke down in front of Khanyi Mbau in an interview on 'Behind The Story' on BET. She went all the way in and broke down about the hate that she still gets in the industry and from members of the public about her skin tone.
Because they are light-skinned that's why they are where they are. Yes, there are privileges, but let's also look around who's giving those privileges to them and why they exist in the first place. You can't take those people because they are easy to abuse and they're in your community and they are accessible and they say, 'Yes because you're light-skinned she thinks she's better'. No, let's go back to the source on why we have an identity crisis and why we look different and why we are the way we are.
Pearl really feels frustrated because she doesn't understand why South Africans - mainly black people, always seem to throw hate on one another when we are supposed to be in this together.
She continued to say:
So let me live my life, live yours ... I work very hard for what I have and if my light skin is going to help feed my kids and that's what you want to believe ... you know what, believe what you want to believe.
At one point, Pearl got into her feelings and broke down into tears.
Khanyi then tried to be the voice of reason and a helping hand. She comforted her, letting her know at the same time that she needed to heal from the negative comments people throw at her.
Certain battles need you to heal, you need to heal. You need to let them pass. You need to let them go. The world has evolved and I know you're talking about what people have gone through, they've gone through it - there's a reason. You know who you are ...
Watch video below as Pearl Thusi puts herself out there:
The hate got to Pearl Thusi skin #BehindTheStoryBET pic.twitter.com/VCx7xAFPXQ
— Mandla Gingirikani (@mandlamZA) October 14, 2020
Pearl breaking down on national TV had people talking and, of cause, Twitter always has something to say.
Here are some of the reactions:
I'm sorry but I'm also light skinned and the privilege definitely exists. It doesn't dispute hard work, ethic and dedication to building your dreams and empowering yourseld; it's just easier for light skinned women to be recognized and I'm sorry she can't that
— Vuyo_Boko (@boko_vuyo) October 15, 2020
The sad thing is that in the eyes of whiteness we are all the same, light or dark skinned, whiteness sees us as just the same. It is so said that we do this to each other. "Being Black is not a matter of pigmentation - being black is a reflection of a mental attitude" - Biko.
— Gringoe paying it forward. (@gmashala) October 15, 2020
The sooner light skinned people understand that light skin is part of the western beauty standards, and that people who aren't part of such standards are always treated differently , the better they will understand what COLOURISM and LIGHT SKIN PRIVILEGE IS.
— MaB Makhubo (@Virgo14th) October 15, 2020
Thanks for this, haven’t been watching TV..Oh I hate to see @PearlThusi cry because of others💔 or anyone for that matter. Why must she constantly defend her looks?? South Africa this must STOP!Why so much hate?Kahleni bo it’s enough. What matters is IDENTITY.Lets educate ppl..
— Slie Makhathini #StopGBV (@sliemak) October 15, 2020
For more from #Stacey&JSbu, check out past episodes below: