“I disliked being BLACK and wanted to be white” – famous African singer admits

Famous South African singer Amanda Black has admitted she did not want to be black, thinking it “was not cool.” She said she disliked her original color, and dreamed of being white.

In a recent interview, she reflects on her childhood perceptions of herself, not only about her race, but also about her rejection towards her native language. The superstar, born in the Eastern Cape town of Mthatha, recalls she “never used to speak IsiXhosa and had only English-speaking friends.”

I used to not like my dark skin because everyone said light-skinned girls were prettier. I had fair-complexioned friends and sometimes I’d be the darkest of them all. At times, it affected how I felt about my looks,” Amanda recalls.

Steve Biko’s Black Consciousness book helped her change her views, and start accepting herself. It also made Amanda look forward to learning more about her culture.