@Regina and @JonBerry really hit the nails on the head with the whole thing about the double standards we feed into. There is no way any of us (black or white) can doubt the fact that light skinned black females definitely get a better *chance to make it in the music industry vs. our darkskinned sisters. Now whether they get to make it far is contingent upon their actual talent (except for riri she just needs to look good) so when we speak on Alicia, Bey, and Whitney, we are talking about some of the most stellar singers and performers of our time.

As a fan of Alicia, I have to admit that she was clearly handed her throne after dropping 'Fallin'. Does anyone remember the Grammys after Songs in A Minor was released- she not only dominated but completely shut out India Arie who at the time was critically acclaimed for 'Video' and the rest of her album, and also up for as many awards as Keys; Keys took ALL OF THEM! This is the perfect example of the color bias we've created.

That other double standard we clearly feed into is the fact that black male athletes and mostly any white man can get away with anything from beating, cheating, lieing, etc. and we still will regard them as the 'best of all time' (I say we speaking in general of course). This is an issue that needs to be explored- why does so much crap come down on successful woman (black, white, purple, doesn't matter)? As a man, I say kudos to Brit, Angelina, Alicia, and Fanny for going out and getting what they want- that's what men do every day and are revered as dedicated, convicted, etc. (lol) while these women who do the same thing are called everything in the book (well you catch my drift). Look at how we did Alicia n Fanny after finding out about their lovers. And I like the fact that it was brought up that the world came down on Breezy for fighting crazy RiRi but Em, Shaq, Kobe, Mel Gibson, etc. can all whoop ass, take names, and still be considered kings of their respective industries. I'm not saying these guys weren't critiqued in the media but at the end of the day, it was over, and quickly. It's like you have to meet a certain taxbracket before its okay for you to do bad things and it be okay.