A new movement has been sparked on social media, celebrating the beauty of black people. The #BlackOut is a hashtag that allows black men and women to post multiple photos of themselves, exhibiting their blackness. The movement was started on Tumblr by a young man named T’von, who got inspired by not seeing enough black people on his dashboard. It was easy for him to see black celebrities exalted on the site, but it was rare that he saw ordinary black people being praised.
“I was really sick and tired of seeing the 'European standard of beauty,'” he said. "It’s past time for the beauty of black people to be showcased. I love all people of color, but this here is for us.” (What Whites Will Never Know, 2015). He did not imagine people rallying behind his idea, but his campaign has gotten an overwhelming amount of support. The first #BlackOut was March 6, but now the movement has become a monthly occurrence. Scheduled days are set aside every month that will allow black people to flood social media with their beauty.
It’s no surprise that black people are posting selfies and promoting self-love unashamedly as studies show that they have the highest self-esteem amongst all races. In the 1950s, low self-esteem in African Americans was assumed to be caused by segregated schools. A study was given to black girls, which included them picking white dolls, ultimately aiding in the Supreme Court’s decision in the Brown vs. Board of Education case to desegregate schools. Later, it was revealed that the evidence given was not entirely true and studies were conducted afterwards that proved that black people have the highest self esteem. Asians had the lowest while, Caucasians ranked in the middle. Further research was conducted in 2004 by the University of Michigan, examining 100 years of social science publications about race. Though from the 1900s to 1960s, it was alleged that blacks have low self-esteem, research collected around the 70s showed that blacks indeed have high self esteem (as cited in The Daily Stormer).
These studies, as well as the #BlackOut movement, are only proving that black men and women are no longer allowing society’s image of beauty to affect them. Recently, I was able to conduct an interview with Spelman student Maame Yaa Ansah, a junior biology major and 2013 Miss ASA. We discussed the #BlackOut movement, self esteem, and what it means to be black.
Are you familiar with the hashtag #BlackOut?
Yes, I am.
Have you participated in it?
Yes, I have.
Do you see the importance of the #BlackOut movement? Do you think it has an effect on the black community?
Yes, it’s a day for black people to appreciate ourselves and each other. European and Asian features of people are always celebrated and promoted. #BlackOut is a way for us to be the curators of blackness, not white people who don’t understand that there is not just one type of black person.
When you say “one type of black person,” what do you mean?
People have this view [that] beautiful black people are mixed with light eyes and light skin.
Studies have shown that black people have the highest self esteem. From your personal experience, can you attest to this statement? Have you had any battles with self-esteem?
Yes, I can. Black people have this amazing view on themselves when they finally get it. I struggled with my self-esteem because I wasn’t around black people.
What do you mean by “it”?
We are taught not [to] find ourselves beautiful if we don’t fit a specific mold. When you break the cycle, you see the ridiculous beauty we possess.
T’von, the creator of the movement, wanted to move away from a Eurocentric image of beauty. Do you think Eurocentric beauty is still as prevalent as it once was or is black becoming the new beauty?
Yes, but movements like BlackOut are helping to mainstream different types of beauty. We have a bit of a way, but we are making progress.
What was it like to be crowned Miss ASA?
It was probably the most amazing affirmation ever. I really never thought I was beautiful til I was about 18. After that pageant, girls and guys came up to me and told me how beautiful and smart they thought I was.
Any words of wisdom you can give to young black women who don’t believe their black is beautiful?
You’re stunning. Please don’t take as long as it took me to realize it. You’ll miss out on so many beautiful moments because of it.
You are also somewhat Tumblr famous. I’ve seen photos of you floating around Tumblr with a good amount of notes. Does this mean anything to you or does it just roll off your shoulders?
(Laughs) I’m definitely not Tumblr famous, but it does mean something. I don’t let it get too much to my head because people are just looking at the physical.
Lastly, what does being black mean to you?
Black means being excellent even through adversity.
Sources:
What Whites Will Never Know. [Blog]. Retrieved from: http://whatwhiteswillneverknow.com/post/1126403732...
(2014, Dec. 27). Black People Have Higher Self-Esteem Than White People. Retrieved from: http://www.dailystormer.com/black-people-have-higher-self-esteem-than-white-people/
