I once did not love nor care for my blackness. I was always the “darkest” in school pictures and felt a way because of it. I did not classify myself as beautiful because of how dark my skin was. Our American society, has always deemed “beauty” as porcelain white and fair skin complexions, coupled with long silky hair, and blue or green eyes –as if somehow this would automatically solidify you as a “stunning beauty.” Society’s extremely closed-minded view of beauty and seeing images representative of this in magazines and on TV made me feel that I didn’t measure up at all, and that my complexion was the opposite of what beauty was. I cannot tell you exactly when in my life I learned to wholeheartedly love my blackness; I can only say that I revel in it today because I realize the immense power and beauty that comes with.
Being black in this world has never been easy and sadly, times have not drastically changed nor improved. But, black people have become fully aware of the greatness in being black. We’re truly unafraid to be seen and demand loudly to be heard. Being black to me represents a supreme power, majestic beauty and unlimited magic. Others often try, unsuccessfully to duplicate this through black culture appropriations. Of course, other races have their own uniqueness, but there is truly something quite marvelous and divine about being black that makes us stand out among the crowd. We are the definition of resilient, strong, unbreakable, creative, intelligent and beautiful. We’ve proven that we too are more than capable of leading nations, starting movements and setting trends. I personally feel that it is because of this regality embedded in black people, that we’re feared, hated on, racially discriminated against, persecuted and are at the top of the “America’s Most Wanted” list, even though we are the fabric and foundation of what America is.
I myself now have a truly deep love and appreciation for being black that I wish I had when I was younger. I love and revel in the fact that my complexion will always add the necessary color needed in a colorless room. I wish as a little black girl I realized that being the darkest in the school pictures is what makes me stand out. That the definition of beauty lies in my own eyes and no one else’s, and that my complexion is beautiful too. I should be proud of it, for it represents a culture that is the living embodiment of magnificent. Loving the skin you are in is so vital to seeing yourself as worthy, beautiful, powerful and more. It is why we must teach our little black girls and boys that there is no shame nor ugliness in their complexion. That not having long silky hair or blue or greens eyes does not mean that they are not stunning. Our black children need to know that they deserve to be loved, regarded as great and viewed as beautiful, despite the fact that the world will not always see them nor treat them as such. Being black is absolutely powerful and beautiful, so I thank God for my blackness.
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