The phrase “Team Light Skin” has taken over social media in the more recent months. Selfies have inundated websites such as Instagram and Facebook with the hash tag front-and-center. Apparently being on this distinguished “team” is a privilege; comes with benefits.
Who needs racism from “the man” when we create it amongst ourselves? This is self-hatred at its best.
This phenomenon is not new by any means. I was born into a family (my Father’s side) of “high yellow” people, some would label them “house Negros”. My Aunts and Uncles dubbed me The Black Barbie; in other words, I was cute for a dark-skinned baby. This nickname followed me into my teenage years. I never felt like I belonged or was fully accepted by them because of my skin tone. To this day, I have not had the courage to voice how I feel, so it is something I have carried with me all these years.
Skin bleaching is at an all time high. The option to have lighter skin is irresistible to those who feel they will have a better life or greater opportunities as a result. Some would blame society for destroying the self-esteems of many beautiful Black Women.
Photo filters are used nowadays to airbrush away unsightly blemishes and leave behind a flawless finish to the skin! Whatever happened to natural beauty and loving the you God created? We really need to take a few steps back and re-evaluate what is most important in our lives. If we do not love ourselves, we are no good to those around us. Having lighter skin will not all-of-a-sudden create the perfect life; nothing will.
Maybe if we were not so judgmental, women, (and men alike), would be more accepting of themselves, flaws and all.
Who needs racism from “the man” when we create it amongst ourselves? This is self-hatred at its best.
This phenomenon is not new by any means. I was born into a family (my Father’s side) of “high yellow” people, some would label them “house Negros”. My Aunts and Uncles dubbed me The Black Barbie; in other words, I was cute for a dark-skinned baby. This nickname followed me into my teenage years. I never felt like I belonged or was fully accepted by them because of my skin tone. To this day, I have not had the courage to voice how I feel, so it is something I have carried with me all these years.
Skin bleaching is at an all time high. The option to have lighter skin is irresistible to those who feel they will have a better life or greater opportunities as a result. Some would blame society for destroying the self-esteems of many beautiful Black Women.
Photo filters are used nowadays to airbrush away unsightly blemishes and leave behind a flawless finish to the skin! Whatever happened to natural beauty and loving the you God created? We really need to take a few steps back and re-evaluate what is most important in our lives. If we do not love ourselves, we are no good to those around us. Having lighter skin will not all-of-a-sudden create the perfect life; nothing will.
Maybe if we were not so judgmental, women, (and men alike), would be more accepting of themselves, flaws and all.