Today’s world, although very technologically advanced, is terribly lacking in its basic human rights such as equality. One could even argue that a new-age society such as ours is stuck in past ideals that practically date back to nearly 350 years ago. Terms such as colorism (discrimination based on skin color), have resurfaced on the media stronger than ever.
On January 1st, the 26 year-old model and singer, Amara La Negra, made her outstanding debut on Love & Hip Hop Miami, a TV show that skyrocketed Cardi B into the big leagues, scoring her a record deal with Atlantic Records.
But this is not exactly how it went with Amara when producer Young Hollywood started dissing the singer. The producer described her as psychotic because she called him out when he referred to her mockingly as “Nutella Queen.” Young Hollywood kept badgering Amara, telling her that her image should be “less Macy Gray and more Beyoncé,” which only made things worse.
But this is not the first time a woman of darker skin complexion has had to endure discrimination or harsh comments when proudly rocking their Afro. As was the case of 2017 Miss Jamaica contestant, Davina Bennett. The 23 year-old model and philanthropist rocked her gorgeous Afro at the Miss Universe runway, and it caused sensation throughout social media. Although many praised her, many speculated she didn’t win Miss Universe because of the color of her skin and her Afro.
Another case was last November, when Oscar-winning actress Lupita Nyong’o posted a picture of the UK Grazia magazine cover on social media stating how they had edited her hair so it would fit “a more Eurocentric notion of what beautiful hair looks like.” Nyong’o later explained it in a tweet:
“As I have made clear so often in the past with every fiber of my being, I embrace my natural heritage and despite having grown up thinking light skin and straight, silky hair were the standards of beauty, I now know that my dark skin and kinky, coily hair are beautiful too,” – via Twitter
The young actress who has already starred in, Star Wars: The Force Awakens and 12 Years A Slave, for which she won the best supporting actress Oscar in 2014, also stars in Marvel’s record-breaking movie Black Panther.
Although colorism is just one of the many obstacles countless women face everyday, there are many that want to extinguish such denigrating practice by empowering and encouraging others to keep going and never let hardships stop you from achieving your dreams. And remember to always embrace your beauty. In the words of a very famous writer: