Shadeism

I was watching a video called shadeism on http://bglhonline.com/, a short documentary on five women's experiences with the concept of beauty being, the lighter the better..It really got me thinking, we do live in a messed up world. Magazines are lightening celebrities like Beyonce, Sidibe Gaborey, Vivica fox because black aint lovely enough. I am light skinned but I can relate to this documentary, growing up everyone commented on how white I was as a baby, now I wonder the true meaning behind this. I remember how everyone also always compared my older sister hair to mine, until this day there is always someone to say: but your sister's s hair is thicker, yours is very fine.

Why can we black accept how we are? Why do we keep o fighting ourselves? Why do we constantly feel the need to be changing how we are, how we were born?


It makes me sad as I think of my four year old sister who I fear will also see her herself ugly because her hair is "too coarse" or her African features are "ugly". This why I decided since May 10 to stop relaxing my hair, I was tired of having beat up hair that could never grow beyond shoulder length because of breakage. Growing up there was never an alternative solution to your hair, you either relaxed it or relaxed it. Even my hair who has "good hair" rarely wore down her hair because it was a bit too thick with some curlies.  I want to finally love my texture and accept myself. Now I have nothing against other women who relax their hair, you are free to do whatever you want as long you are happy

I no longer want to feel bad for being the light skin girl with the strong ( and beautiful African ) features


NB: The website i saw the video is the bomb, it's so inspiring and very helpful for transitionners and naturals, and inspirational for black girls, do check it out