It's black history month and I can't help but think back to the many things we have to be proud of as black people...but it's also a time that really makes me feel sad too.
When I look around and see the many bleached out faces it makes me wonder, where is that sense of black pride. Remember when we used to say 'black is beautiful' with so much conviction...is that no longer the case?
What is it about our colour that drives many to put their health at risk all in seeking that product that will let them appear much lighter than they really are? What is so repugnant about having a mahogany colour that (in my opinion) is the most beautiful thing to behold?
Then again, I wonder if the poor suckers can help themselves as I have time and time again heard comments such as 'anyting too black nuh good,' 'meck sure unno pickney have some colouring' (implying if they are dark skinned, they should talk to someone who is much lighter).
Little girls growing up were not made to feel a sense of pride as the dolls they were given to play with were anything but black. Once I tried to buy my niece a mahogany coloured doll and was bluntly told, "aunty it too ugly!"
Believe it or not we are programming them to feel as if there is nothing beautiful about our colour when we glorify another.
Ironically, I can't help but be amazed at how some whites put their health at risk by staying in the sun all in the hope of looking 'darker.' When they come to our shores they make it a point to get their hair 'corn row' a style, which we are slowly doing away with!
As we continue to celebrate Black History Month let's make the conscious decision to start valuing ourselves even more. No more bleaching...if you are tempted take a good look into the mirror and tell yourself that you are God's beautiful creation and perfect just as you are.
If you have to bleach for someone to love you then they definitely are not worth your love.
In closing I borrow a line from James Brown song, "say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud!"
linko said
15:46 02/18 2008
stapp di bleachinggggggggggggggg
SHERRY said
18:37 02/18 2008
its very sad that we dont appreciate our color and our heritage and the worst part is that its not getting any better!!! its funny how black ppl always wanna be like somebody else when that same somebody wanna be like them!
asian said
18:41 02/18 2008
post more please
Jamdon_1 said
08:29 02/19 2008
The funniest part about this is that whites try to get darker and black try to get lighter but yet we all talk bout how people racist....we need fi check we selves strrrrr88888
up2 said
08:34 02/19 2008
lava grung fy all bleachers
Crazypickney said
11:21 02/19 2008
oh lord
fyahhype said
11:27 02/19 2008
ummm....jermanie squad need fi seet this...Matterfact nuff need to see this...mann so much people bleach it a shame.....then white people with a tan claimin dem black.....is worster.....
minksta said
20:02 02/19 2008
bleaching has become an endemic, it's really sad though
Garrick said
14:40 02/21 2008
Mi nuh know bout nobody else...i love my black skin.
February 18, 2008
Black History and the Bleaching dilemma
By: Rootzgirl
When I look around and see the many bleached out faces it makes me wonder, where is that sense of black pride. Remember when we used to say 'black is beautiful' with so much conviction...is that no longer the case?
What is it about our colour that drives many to put their health at risk all in seeking that product that will let them appear much lighter than they really are? What is so repugnant about having a mahogany colour that (in my opinion) is the most beautiful thing to behold?
Then again, I wonder if the poor suckers can help themselves as I have time and time again heard comments such as 'anyting too black nuh good,' 'meck sure unno pickney have some colouring' (implying if they are dark skinned, they should talk to someone who is much lighter).
Little girls growing up were not made to feel a sense of pride as the dolls they were given to play with were anything but black. Once I tried to buy my niece a mahogany coloured doll and was bluntly told, "aunty it too ugly!"
Believe it or not we are programming them to feel as if there is nothing beautiful about our colour when we glorify another.
Ironically, I can't help but be amazed at how some whites put their health at risk by staying in the sun all in the hope of looking 'darker.' When they come to our shores they make it a point to get their hair 'corn row' a style, which we are slowly doing away with!
As we continue to celebrate Black History Month let's make the conscious decision to start valuing ourselves even more. No more bleaching...if you are tempted take a good look into the mirror and tell yourself that you are God's beautiful creation and perfect just as you are.
If you have to bleach for someone to love you then they definitely are not worth your love.
In closing I borrow a line from James Brown song, "say it loud, I'm black and I'm proud!"