Dark Girls…Rise!!

I share this video with my readers to highlight a significant problem within the black community (African, Caribbean, African American, African Canadian). I am a big supporter of diversity in beauty and ethnic beauty in general. I am also someone who grew up knowing the pain that comes from not being accepted aesthetically by people within my own culture/family/social networks. The very people that life suggests—should embrace and empower you.

Growing up, I along with many other black women remember thinking that I was “unpretty” because I had some family members and friends who through their own slanted perspectives of beauty, went out of their way to make me feel as though I simply did not measure up to “standard”. Harsh words like your “hair is bad” or ” your lips are soooo big” or “where did you get that nose from?” “You will never be able to model with that backside” or “when did you get so dark?”. The sad thing is, for a long time…I believed them. As a dear friend of mine shared with me, and I echo her views exactly, “it was always other black folk that made me feel ugly growing up”. Misery loves company. Unfortunately those who inflicted the harm did not understand or have the power to embrace themselves.

Getting a little preachy here, I know but I believe it is high time that WE decide to change OUR perspectives about self and recognize with conviction that we are beautifully and fabulously made. It took a while for me to get the pre-conditioned viewpoints out of my psyche so that I could grow to love and appreciate myself for who I am. The road was bumpy, filled with doubts and a lot of hurt. Yet I overcame it and stand as an advocate for others who have unfortunately suffered or are suffering the same pain.

Until we EMBRACE and LOVE SELF (including those who look like us)—we will always struggle to be embraced by others. It starts within our heads.

Rise up Dark Girls…RISE!!!

Dark Girls: Preview from Bradinn French on Vimeo.