2. How is flesh color defined?

Imagine if you go to the store to buy nylons or undergarments, and all they have are medium to dark brown. What if those colors were called ‘flesh’ or ‘nude.’



Imagine that all the bandages on the shelves are medium to dark brown (except the cartoon character ones, obviously). What if the only way you could get bandages that match your skin color was to purchase them online?

What if you go to buy makeup and there are about 15 different shades for brown skin and just three or four for your skin, but they make you look like you have a fake tan?

Watch the two videos below. The first is of black women trying out mainstream 'nude' fashion (lipstick, bras, pantyhose). The second is of the same women trying out 'nude' fashion for black skin.

Video warning: women in undergarments.

Video disclaimer: the women read the definitions of the word 'nude.' One of the definitions is having white skin. If you look it up now, it doesn't say that anymore. A student petitioned to have that definition changed. Websters changed it in August 2015. This video was filmed before then.