On 9:01 AM
Dear Brown Girl,
Hey sis! How you doin'? I hope you are managing to find some positivity despite, well...everything. I know life is tough for a lot of us. I don't even have to tell you what's going on, because I know you're living it. Don't let the bull crap of the world question your worth and purpose. You are wanted and needed and the world is a better place because of you. Don't let the media tell you WHY you can't get a man. Yeah, I know mainstream magazines hardly highlight our beauty but have you looked in the mirror lately? Girl...you fine! And freakin' A, man! It is so hard to find television shows and movies where we are the stars. I mean...where are we in Sex and the City? *sigh*
But you know what? Despite what the media tells me (which I ignore), I KNOW better. When I see websites like Chocolate Brides and Black and Married with Kids, I don't feel hopeless. When I see websites like Black Girl Long Hair and Black Girls Run, I feel elated! These ladies have decided to share their stores about their personal adventures in hair and fitness, but they are also smashing stereotypes! Because believe it or not A LOT of people don't think that Black women can grow long hair. Websites like La CosmopoLatina and Disgrasian feature news, tips and reviews catered to my Latina and Asian sisters. When I go to events like the World Natural Hair Show and Blogalicious Conference, I feel like my thoughts and lifestyle matter. I don't feel so alone anymore!
And don't get it twisted my non-brown girls. It's not about exclusivity.
But how am I supposed to feel about myself when women like me are hardly shown in print media? Is there something wrong with my dark skin? My kinky hair? My size 12 hips?
Who remembers A Girl Like Me?
I too was a little Black girl that didn't always love her brown skin and thick hair. I loathed my big lips and dreamed up of long straight hair. I didn't see the beauty in being a brown girl.
This past weekend I had a meeting with The Peace and Beauty Project. After the meeting, I chit chatted with a 16-year old and her Mother. Her Mother went on and on about how her daughter was constantly being teased. As a result of that, the teen's self-image was the pits. I sympathized with her because I can relate. My parents never knew it, but I was bullied every day in middle school. For being too smart. "Talking white". Having long hair. Not having a boyfriend. Not having boobs (if only they could see me now...HA!!). I cried my way through middle school. I hated how I looked and didn't see my beauty for a very long time.
But now I see it and can't help but shout it from the rooftops. Clumps of Mascara was never a blog that was strictly for brown girls. Beauty products and practices are universal and I would never want to limit myself to just one audience. But what Clumps of Mascara attempts to do is remind brown girls what they CAN do. YES, you can wear this color. YES, you can wear your hair a certain way. YES, you can start your own business. YES, YES, YES.
I know, I'm all over the place with this letter, y'all (in typical B fashion) but it was laid on my heart to write this. I hope you realize that you are a Queen. And that goes for ALL girls. Yep...you're royalty. Treat yourself like so. Take care of your body, your mind, your spirit and yourself like your life depends on it. Because it does. Be the best person, citizen, wife, mother, friend, daughter, sister, _________ you can be. Find inspiration and be an inspiration. Get yourself a mentor. I have been so blessed to e-cross paths with mine. I wonder if the ladies behind Afrobella, Luxe Tips and Execumama know how much I love them. These ladies are such enormous inspirations for me. I look at them and see stars. I aspire to be the strong entrepreneurs, wives and mothers that they are.
Who and what inspires you? Find them. Find it. I know we're all trying to get somewhere but don't forget to help others while you work on your hustle.
I love y'all. I really do. In a world where people are so used to shootin' WTF-faces and shun hugs and handshakes, I can honestly say that I love y'all.
Go 'head, my Queens. Let's continue taking this world by storm!!
Love,
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