She Strengthens

Embracing My Unique Beauty: A Journey of Self-Acceptance

Growing up, I struggled to come to terms with my own beauty. I was desperate to fit into Western beauty standards, which meant conforming to a narrow and unrealistic ideal of attractiveness. I begged my parents to stop giving me braids, fearing they made me look “different” from my peers. I avoided the sun, terrified of getting darker. I even pinched my nose bridge and lips, hoping to shrink them to fit an unattainable beauty norm.

The Epiphany That Changed Everything

But then I stumbled upon a Facebook comment that changed my life. Hari Ziyad’s words resonated deeply with me: “Black people do not have the ability to be ugly.” It was a revolutionary idea, one that challenged everything I thought I knew about beauty. I began to question the societal pressure that had led me to hate my own features.

The Ugly Truth About Beauty Standards

In a world where beauty ideals are strictly tied to Western standards of fair skin, thin bodies, and cis-het whiteness, Black people are often relegated to the fringes of attractiveness. We’re deemed “unattractive” because we don’t conform to these narrow ideals. This isn’t about personal attraction; it’s about the broader power structures that shape our social interactions and relationships.

The Consequences of Colonized Beauty

The consequences of this colonized beauty standard are far-reaching. Black women, like Serena Williams and Leslie Jones, are subjected to vicious harassment and body shaming. Even Black children, like Blue Ivy, are taunted for their features. The media perpetuates this narrative, criminalizing Black people and portraying us as ugly, dirty, and dangerous.

The Health Consequences of Skin Bleaching

In non-European countries, the desire for fairer skin has become a health crisis. In Nigeria, 77% of women use skin bleaching products, despite the risks of cancer and other health problems. Governments struggle to keep these products off the market, and colorism targets African immigrants and Black tourists abroad.

My Journey to Self-Acceptance

But I refuse to buy into this oppressive beauty standard. I’ve rejected the idea that my features are somehow inferior. I dress boldly, embracing my unique style and celebrating my Blackness. I wear bright colors, style my hair as I please, and refuse to hide behind makeup. I understand that Blackness is beautiful, not despite whiteness, but because it exists on its own terms.

Creating a New Definition of Beauty

It’s time to broaden our understanding of beauty and disconnect it from white standards. We must create a new definition of beauty, one that celebrates difference and rejects the racist ideals that have shamed us for so long. I choose to celebrate what I have been endowed with, and I invite you to do the same. Let’s reject the bias and create new rules, ones that uplift and empower Black people everywhere.