“Everything I’m not makes me everything I am”

November 9, 2007 | Filed Under Moment of Truth 

Sometimes I’ll look at pictures of myself and wish that my face was more symmetrical, that my hairline didn’t cut off my forehead, that my upper lip was a bit more plump.  When it all boils down to it, though, my face isn’t completely symmetrical, my hairline does cut off my forehead, and my lips aren’t as full as I sometimes wish they were. 

As I was transferring to the Broad Street Line today, I saw a girl with long, flowing, bone straight weave in her hair.  It immediately disgusted me.  Then, I looked up and saw at least three other girls within five feet of me with their similar weaves.  My mind went to a picture I saw of one of family members with green contacts, then to skin bleaching and other methods of self-alteration employed by non-white people to whiten their appearance.  It’s not cool.

She’s been degraded, exploited, NOT celebrated
Saturated with self- hatred
-Jill Scott, “The Thickness”

So many people are walking around hating themselves because they’re not white or don’t have white features.  Why?  At the end of the day (at all times of the day really), you’ll never be white.  So why hate yourself for it?  Might as well appreciate what is.

Love yourself. 

If something that you can naturally change dissatisfies you, go for it.  A little chubby, hit the gym.  Butt a little flat, build your glute muscles.  Don’t relax your hair (and put chemicals directly in your head).  Don’t bleach your skin…or wear colored contacts…or hack off your nose…or change the shape/look your eyes.  There’s beauty in the fact that we don’t all look alike.  Celebrate diversity.

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