On August 14, the hashtag #FlexinMyComplexion made its way through Twitter feeds in an effort to showcase appreciation for darker skin complexions from a variety of ethnicities.
The hashtag was started by the Twitter account with the handle @PoCBeauty (PoC being an acronym for "People of Color"). The user boasts a whopping 26,000 followers and over 15,000 tweets. The account addresses social justice issues and also posts picture submissions of Twitter users from different ethnic backgrounds to send the message that, yes, people of color are beautiful too. The person behind @PocBeauty announced a couple of days prior to August 14 that there would be a hashtag solely dedicated to people of darker complexion. As soon as the clock hit midnight on August 14, the submissions began rolling in. Soon, thousands of pictures with #FlexinMyComplexion flooded Twitter and became a trending topic worldwide.
So, why the fuss? What's so monumental about this particular hashtag? After all, people are just posting pictures of themselves. And, aren't we leaving out all the lighter skinned people? "It would be racist if white people started the hashtag #WhiteIsADelight," right? To put it simply, this hashtag has more meaning to it than some of us with lighter complexions may understand. It's a foreign concept to most people, especially to those who claim they "don't see color," but darker skin is still seen as less beautiful in our Eurocentric beauty-obsessed society. This hashtag wasn't created to exclude those with lighter skin tones, rather it was created to include those of darker complexions into the equation.
Think of it this way; when you exclaim "I love Mexican food!" it doesn't mean you hate all other types food. You're simply showing appreciation for a specific type at that moment. Just as when someone says that darker skinned toned people are beautiful, it doesn't mean that those with lighter skin tones aren't. You wouldn't ask "But what about American food!?" when someone proclaims their love for cuisine from another country. This is why it's petty when some users, in response to #FlexinMyComplexion, cried "But what about light skinned people!?" But we see those of lighter complexions everywhere. Television, magazines, movies-- light skinned people are the standard. They are the "norm." Those with darker complexions, to this day, are extremely under represented in our media. This hashtag offers those a platform for those who are dark skinned to showcase their own beauty to an audience of over 26,000 followers. These were average people with average lives, who got their chance in the spotlight.
Almost everyone is taught when they're young that it's silly to cry for attention, especially when the attention is being focused on someone who is often neglected. It's time for our society to grow up and realize that it isn't a terrible thing for those with dark skin tones, or any marginalized group, to be embraced and appreciated. And to also understand, that those with lighter skin tones are represented and accepted on a day-to-day basis. Let's crush the current beauty standards, and create our own that includes everyone. Let people flex their complexion.
