Black is Beautiful

From a black girl’s point of view I have seen beauty belonging to those with blue eyes, thin legs and white skin. To see in 2014 a dark-skinned, thick-legged, black woman be named the “most beautiful person” by People magazine shocks and inspires me. Lupita Nyong’o was given this title by the famous celebrity gossip and fashion magazine on April 23, 2014.

Alexis Green, an IB student at Mission Bay, has stated, “I am honored to see a beautiful woman of another ethnicity on the cover of a magazine that goes around the world.” She calls People’s decision “major, major, compliment.” Through years of growing up and being frightened of my skin getting darker, I now have nothing holding me back from embracing the beauty of being a darker shade. Lupita has inspired many young black girls across the nation including many at Mission Bay to feel beautiful in their skin no matter what the color.

To the many dark-skinned girls who struggle with accepting your own beauty, you’re not alone. Lupita states in her interview with People, “I got teased and taunted about my night-shaded skin. And my one prayer to God, the miracle worker, was that I would wake up lighter skinned.” Although I’ve had issues with my skin color, I’ve never prayed or wished for lighter skin, but as I’m in the classroom or at lunch, I see many of my peers getting picked on for being darker and I think they might also wish for this at night. Names such as “midnight” or “darky” are being used by students to make fun of the darker shaded students. No student should feel ashamed for being darker and they definitely shouldn’t be bullied for having a darker shade of skin. As a school we need to do better at making everyone feel welcomed and cared for. Mission Bay needs to find a way to connect students together and if this doesn’t happen we are going to find less and less students coming to school. Most students come to school not only for an education, but to connect to their peers. If they aren’t connecting then as I said kids won’t be so willing to come to school.

Though beauty is most seen on the outside, Lupita also has the rare beauty on the inside that makes her loved by so many. On February 27, 2014 at the Black Woman In Hollywood luncheon in Beverly Hills, Lupita gave a speech on the beauty of black women. She opened up to the crowd and really expressed her feelings towards being a darker shaded woman and told of her insecurities from the past. She also talked about how she overcame her feeling of being dark which happen when she met supermodel Alek Wek a south Sudanese model who became very successful in her line of work. Opening up about her insecurities has made Lupita a role model for all women and young girls. As many know stating to a crowd your deepest insecurities isn’t the happiest time but its a brave act that have made many respect her.

Whitney McElvy, a senior at Mission Bay who is of a darker shade, revealed her feelings to me towards the matter of Nyong’o accomplishment. She said, “Lupita has had an huge impact on my life, and she has made me realize beauty comes in all shades and colors.” Hearing this statement from Ms. McElvy has made me respect Lupita Nyong’o so much more and has made me love the skin I live in more than ever. The obstacles that stood in my way before are never going to stand in my way again. I will wear my skin with confidence and I will embrace the beauty of my skin color. I hope that many will change their viewpoints on thinking dark skin is not attractive or ugly because thats not the case. What Lupita has taught me is that every skin color is beautiful, every shape is beautiful and to love yourself with every fiber in your body.