Beauty is Skin Deep

What is the standard of beauty? We all have them... standards... goals... we wish to achieve in our physical appearance. But what if, that is all you have? And even that perception is built into you. How many of our daily routines are consumed with becoming the impossible? Without the everyday effort of obtaining this goal, you are nothing. What if you did not even exist on the spectrum of beauty???

One weekend at work, I was looking through the flashcards to use for my class, and I ran across three very interesting cards. They all had the same pictures of three women. Each card pointed to a different girl singling her out by pointing to what made her different from the other two. One card pointed to the white girl with the long flowing hair. Her word was long hair. The second card pointed to a white girl with wavy hair. It was entitled wavy hair. The last card pointed to a black girl with locks flowing from a pony tail, big lips, and big earrings. The title of this card....UGLY! My first emotion was infuriated. I took it personal. I am the ugly girl! I am suppose to go into the class; and teach these kids, who not only see a foreigner, but an ugly foreigner. My second emotion was disgust for their ignorance. None of the girls portrayed THEM. They don't even exist! Everything in me wants to say something. But, to who? Who would even understand? They would probably just try to sweep it under the rug anyway. Why should I expect to actually understand, or care? So I hid the cards...lol. And I taught my class.

These people are brought up believing that their skin must be lighter, their eyes must be bigger, and their hair smooth and blonde. Those are the standards of beauty. The billboards, to the ads, to pictures in the clothing store are all of either white people; or Chinese people who have reached the peak of this persona. You must be careful and read the labels!!! Mostly all of their body and facial care products contain "whitening". They carry umbrellas at all times to avoid contact with the sun. They have surgery to widen their eyes. The bleach their dark black hair until it is damaged beyond repair and orange. Then they just settle for being red heads lol.

If only they knew.... That darker skin is the ultimate protection from the sun, and many Caucasian women tan in hopes of having a hint of their color and their glow. That women draw lines on their eyes to give the illusion of their squinted eyes. Men find their long black hair and golden skin exotic. (Some men... maybe... I guess). If they only realized the commodity their race could be with just some self identity, and a little self pride. Trying to live in another's shadow, but the place has been filled time and time again. So all of their efforts back fire. They are even less identifiable than before. It is impossible to make your mark tracing someone else's foot prints in the sand.

So, I use the undeniable style my mother gave me, and the lesson my dad told me a long time ago. Effortlessly coordinated attire, light makeup and jewelry for an accent, and some smell good. On one hand I give them something to look at since they are gonna stare anyway. And on the other, show them the style, and grace that comes from being a beautiful African American. When they say, "Oh, you are so pretty". I remember Daddy saying, "It's okay. Just kill them with kindness!" So, I respond, "Thank you. You are pretty too." If I do not teach my students anything else, I want them to at least have some self esteem about themselves. I don't want them to recognize foreigners, and immediately go into how they are different or feel inferior. Instead, be confident enough to say, "Hello, How are you?" in English!

I am living proof that those flashcards are unnecessary and false. My complexion is beneficial and beautiful. My locks are healthy and manageable. My eyes are bold and dramatic. And little Chinese girl, you are the essence of beauty. Keep your golden skin. Keep your black kinky hair. Keep your mesmerizing dark eyes. If only you knew that these are standards of beauty that the rest of the world try to obtain. See the beauty that comes natural to you. .... Maybe that's it.... Everybody should just be natural....lol