The other day, my friend sent me a message asking me “why do we [dark skin girls] have to compete with light skin girls?” When I first read the text, I could sense the similar resentment I use to feel towards light skin women. I could feel the hurt in her words; I remember feeling inadequate because of the complexion of my skin. Having resentment towards a group of women who did nothing to make themselves the standard of black beauty. I understood what she felt, but I have come to a point where I won't allow myself to feel that way. I came to a point in my life, where I won't let some ashy Twitter guy dictate what is beautiful. I won't let the desire to meet the European beauty standard dictate my perception of myself. I hope this letter will help you too.
Light skin girls are not our enemies, yes they have privilege but in the eyes of white people, they’re still black. You see how terribly they treat Barrack Obama, and the man is only half black. They’re our sisters, and they still face the issues of being women of color. We shouldn’t hate them because some guy on Twitter said he preferred them over us. We are all queens.
I know it’s frustrating seeing women like Zoe Saldana, take spaces for dark skin actresses. I know it’s annoying seeing the face of the natural hair movement being light skin with loose curly hair. I know it’s hard feeling like you’re constantly in a battle with a society who tries their hardest to tell you you’re not beautiful. I see your fight, I feel your fight, and I’m telling you to let the anger go. Still fight for more representation of black women, but don’t let it consume you. Don’t let it keep you up at night because not every battle will be won. You will still meet that one self-hating dark skin guy who won’t date you because you’re dark skin, and that’s okay. There is plenty of men or women, across different cultures that find your sun-kissed skin beautiful.
Don’t stress because you saw a post on Instagram that said you weren’t beautiful. Don’t stress because your high school crush doesn’t date dark skin women. Don’t stress if it seems like every man you meet only wants your fair skinned counterpart. Focus on uplifting the young girls, who hear dark skin jokes on the daily basis. Focus on fighting to have more representation. Focus on uplifting other dark skin women across the various cultures. I promise there is a person who loves you and your deep complexion. One day the rest of the world will too.
