My Black is Beautiful, indeed.
But, at one point in my life, I did not think so and it had nothing to do with my self-esteem so much as it had to do with images. See, I grew up surrounded by women with varying complexions of brown and facial features that were in stark contrast to thin lips, narrow noses, and blue eyes. Hips were wide and well-defined; heights ranged from 5ft to 6ft, and waistlines varied between curvy to floppy, but all of them had a special kind of style. This style was given to me; a self-assurance that did not allow me to think of myself as ugly or too fat. But, at the same time, the magazine covers, television screens and even the books I was reading were sending another message, and I was left with the understanding that I was different.
Growing up as little ‘colored’ girls in America, we become accustomed to the status quo and early on in life, it is easy to notice that our kind is actually in the ‘Other’ category. So, digesting images of blonde haired, blue-eyed, bone thin White women were simple; as a matter of fact, it became second nature. Granted, images in brown were on the scene as well and while we were to rejoice at the fact that those beautiful Black women were smiling back at us, even they had a standardized look. Generally, they had skin complexions that were comfortable for the jaded eyes of the mainstream; their hair was wavy, relaxed and straight, and their facial features were similar to their White girl counterparts. Still, Media America sent a reverberating message that even for blackness, there’s an accepted and unaccepted look. Either you had it or you didn’t. A lot us didn’t and we suffered for it. I have had friends of mine discuss their dark skin complexions and being the subject of name-calling such as Tar Baby and Blackie. Let’s not mention the countless accounts of quips pointed at fat and skinny sistas (yes, skinny women get picked on too).
But thanks to Proctor and Gamble, the healing can begin.
The company has spearheaded a new movement called My Black is Beautiful (http://www.myblackisbeautiful). This initiave is allowing African American women the space that they need to come to terms with their own insecurities about their beauty and to discover what really makes us individually beautiful. Now, why is this important? Of course, there’s the obvious reasons. History has not been kind to the unique looks of African American women. Beauty standards have and apparently still harbor on Eurocentric features. But most importantly, this project is critical to counter the insecurities about our looks that we have gotten from members of our very own communities and families.
But, unlike our foremothers, we are armed with the knowledge of God in such a way that we do not need societal or familial labels to determine us. Psalm 139:14 records that we are to praise God because we are ‘fearfully and wonderfully made’. The marvelous works of God mentioned in this Scripture is more than the hills and mountains, the sun, moon, and the stars but it is also His creation—mankind. You are a marvelous work. I am a marvelous work; short waist, flat feet, and all. See, we have been in error all along by allowing others to dictate flyness to us. One group of individuals does not have a monopoly on beauty as it is in the eyes of the beholder. However, the first eyes to behold our beauty should be our own.
My Black is Beautiful is more than the pretentious clean up that we do to our exterior—fine clothes and fly hairstyles do nothing for the interior. Some of us are perhaps working very hard to look real good on the outside, because on the inside, we really do not think that much of ourselves at all. With its accompanying group discussion brochure, it will urge you to greatly think about your inner strengths and perhaps uncover your inner demons; those things that keep you from being the best you. I’ve started mine and it has been an eye-opening experience.
I appreciate Proctor and Gamble for reaching out to us in this manner. Taking into consideration that I am a culture and media maven, this campaign speaks volumes to me because it forces us to do something that I feel Black women are scant at doing—think about themselves and how we fit into the grand scheme of things. Thanks to this initiative, I can boldly proclaim that.
My Black is Beautiful because it is creative, cutting-edge, intelligent, and sensuous. Indeed.
Why is your Black beautiful?
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