An Insecure Dark Skinned Child 🤎

My Biggest Insecurity growing up was my dark skin tone. People don’t like to talk about it or bring up the fact that growing up in the colorist southern community as a dark skinned woman is by far one of the MOST difficult struggles.

•Darkest Woman In My Family 🤎

I’m the Darkest Woman on my mother’s side of the family and grew up in Louisiana. Wasn’t very easy growing up sticking out like a sore thumb in pictures. I was always picked on by family members and never received compliments like my other cousins and siblings. I can count on one hand how many times I was genuinely complimented about my appearance throughout my entire childhood. Oh yeah and FYI “You’re so pretty for a Dark skin.” IS NOT A COMPLIMENT. It’s an insult.

•Dating As A Dark Woman 🤎

I learned that men don’t really like dark women. We’re often seen as fall back options or what they settle for because they couldn’t get what they truly wanted. I always seem to have to sell myself in order for people to want to talk to me. It’s like you have to be Dark and Successful in order for men to look your way as a dark skinned woman. Quite frankly, it’s more so the African American men who build this narrative because they simply don’t like their dark skinned mothers or themselves.

•Described Negatively As A Dark Individual 🤎

Almost every time I’ve been in an argument or disagreement guess what’s the first thing I’m referenced by? You got it. My dark skin tone. It’s always “dark this”, “midnight blue”, “burnt biscuit”, “spook that”, and the list could go on and on. I’ve learned that comments like these come from insecure women and men and that they aren’t happy with themselves so I shouldn’t let it bother me but come on. You have to see how annoying that can get right?

•Down Played By Your Own Community 🤎

I hate comments where people especially in MY OWN COMMUNITY, try to down play how bad dark skinned people were treated throughout life. I also hate when lighter people try to jump on board and be like “It was hard being mixed, you don’t understand the struggle of not fitting in.” Oh Please, you were praised by the black community. Sought after if anything. I had to prove myself worthy of being chosen and go above and beyond to even get looked at. So please stop down playing your dark skinned sister and brothers.

It’s been years and I still have troubles with this insecurity. I do try to tell darker skinned kids that they are beautiful every chance I get because I know how it feels to be a shadow in a colorist world. 🤎

#safespace #lemon8challenge #insecurities #unfiltered #embracevulnerability Louisiana