The Queen Bey “Lion King” Inspired album, The Gift is not only a “Love Letter to Africa” but a love letter to Brown Skin Girls everywhere. Beyonce's latest album features vocals not just from the Nigerian singer Wizkid and the Brooklyn rapper Saint Jhn but those of her oldest princess, Blue Ivy.
“Brown skin girl, ya skin just like pearls / Your back against the world / I never trade you for anybody else.”
“Brown Skin Girl” Chorus
The insurmountable pain that brown skin women have endured as a result of the color divide is no secret. Dating back to slavery where lighter skins were allowed inside the house to the brown paper bag test.
As a child, I remember watching friends bleach their skin because they believed that that “light skin” was better. We were taught that our physical appearance must fit in with the defined culture. The constant reminder of a certain type of beauty that the world wanted to see was unavoidable. They were the women on the front of magazines and in the popular television shows. From childhood on, these images along with teasing leads brown skin girls to feel insecure and not enough.
Be You
When it comes to how you feel about who you are, no one can love you better than you! Self-love is one of the greatest lessons that any parent can give their child. I constantly help my daughter see this as I want her to know that only she can define her glass ceiling. The color of her skin or the curl pattern of her hair doesn't determine her outcome.
It's no secret that people have spoken negatively about Blue Ivy's appearance but her mom is teaching her to love herself despite what others might say.
Brown Skin Role Models
Today, I love that more women are not only embracing their skin color but their natural bodies and do it with a huge sense of pride. I felt this pride watching the music video and seeing the cast in the live action remake of the Lion King. We have images in the media that show just how diverse and magical black girls are.
BrownSkinGirlChallenge
Head to twitter and take part in the #BrownSkinGirlChallenge to show the world just how beautiful you are!
