What dark skinned people will never tell you.

This video touched every nerve in my body and raised each and every one of the hairs on the back of my neck. Growing up black or dark skinned as some prefer to call it, was and does continue to be a conversation about knowledge of self.

Colourism and dark skin stereotypes is an issue that affects so many cultures and this unacceptable notion that the darker the skin the less you fit the universal standard of beauty has held us back for decades.

If I'm completely honest with myself, growing up, my beauty choices were made of those that made me look less like who I actually was. Why didn't I see being 1 of 3 black girls in my year group of 360 people as a positive opportunity to stand out? Instead I chose to wear green contacts, listen to music that was considered more mainstream and wonder why I wasn't blessed with 'Good Hair'.

The truth is, often the strongest critics are those from within our very own cultures, the very culture that should play a role in stamping the message of self care, self love and self acceptance into young minds.

Although I agree and strongly believe that change starts with providing more diversity in seeing a true and unbiased representation of people that look just like me. I believe its needs to start and end with accepting who we are beneath what the rest of the world sees.

"I consider myself a crayon, I might not be your favourite colour. But one day your going to need me to complete your picture".- Lauryn Hill

Mamamayah

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#Growingupblack #Colourism #Buzzfeed #Whatdarkskinnedpeoplewillnevertellyou