“Strangers ask me, “Are you a burn victim?” or, “Are you bleaching your own skin? Why are you
“Strangers ask me, “Are you a burn victim?” or, “Are you bleaching your own skin? Why are you doing this to yourself?” or just, “What are you?” It’s usually black people who will ask me why I’m bleaching my skin. It’s infuriating. I know that I am black, and I would never elect to do anything that would make anybody question that identity. Not anymore. I used to be addicted to straightening my hair, because I felt that having straight hair made me more beautiful, and made me more acceptable as a person. I’m sad that it took me so long to give up that idea. I had a very narrow idea of what could be considered beautiful because of all of the same images I kept seeing. Women are supposed to be beautiful, we’re here to be pretty. Our image is to be consumed. Does beauty even have to be something physical, or is it the way you exist in the world? Beauty and freedom and justice are dynamic concepts that not only change over time, but change across cultures, across ages, across races. The idea that there’s one unchanging example of any of them is irresponsible and unrealistic. And destructive. And dangerous. When I start to be more true to myself and my intentions, and being kinder to people, or wanting to understand other people more - that’s a beautiful thing.” -Jesi (@jesivtaylor) in our newest Dispelling Beauty Myths for @Allure. Watch the full interview now: http://in.allure.com/NltBlI2 -- source link