::THE SLICE REPORT WITH MONA AUSTIN

buzzz worthy. . . I have been attune analytically to the social impact of race and politics since 1992 when  I read the ground-breaking study on the subject of colorism entitled "The Color Complex." The book thoroughly examined how standards of beauty in various ethnic groups affect a person's outlook on life and looks at the social and political implications of both internal and external racial descrimination.  (A highly recommended revised edition of the book is now available.) It was not until I moved to Virginia that I was reintroduced to the intra-race prejudices that attempted to slay my self-esteem as a child. A documentary that recently aired on the OWN Network, "Dark Girls," has brought into sharp focus a regressive sideways shift in our growth as a people caused by colorism.   I;m reminded daily that many African Americans are still "color struck" in 2013.   This struggle is evident in online debates, in churches, schools, on the job, i...