Dark Skin vs. Light Skin: The War MUST End

I stumbled on this documentary on Tumblr and was moved so much to write about it.

These beautiful women of color share stories about how they have struggled with their complexion and battled comments from their mothers, friends, and society in general.

It hurts my heart when I hear a BEAUTIFUL dark skinned woman say that she wishes that she were lighter. It's not because I feel pity for her, but because I know that it is NOT her fault that she feels this way.

If I had a little girl, I didn't want her to be dark. 

Years and years of perpetuated stereotypes and unreasonable standards keep them from seeing the TRUE beauty in themselves & I fight back tears. Not for them but for their daughters, who will feel this way about themselves as well unless the cycle is broken.

The MOST heartbreaking part is when the little girl is told to point out the "smart" child and then the "dumb" child, followed by the "good-looking" child vs. "ugly" child. Of course, she points to the lighter skinned figure as the smart and good-looking one and said that the darkest one was dumb & ugly "because she is black".

It doesn't help that the stereotype with black men shows that they prefer light skinned women and that makes a lot of women want to be lighter just to cater to them. I've heard stories about bleaching skin, perms, and all of the ways that people think will make them "prettier". I have light skinned friends and dark skinned friends. I have friends w/ straight hair, curly hair, afros. wigs, weaves...EVERYTHING!!!!!

We have to start seeing the beauty in ourselves and stop looking for validation from others. This is something that I want to teach my girls in the non-profit that I'm going to start. One of my biggest mantras that I believe 100%:

If you don't believe that you are beautiful...NO ONE ELSE WILL!!!!!

Check out the video below:

Dark Girls: Preview from Bradinn French on Vimeo.