The world we live in projects a "one type of beauty" ideal on us all. Millions of images tell us that to look good at we HAVE to buy, deprive, and work ourselves to death to be beautiful. Everybody (regardless of race) is subjected to this in different ways. To a certain degree we all try to look like something we're not. Instead of appreciating what makes us unique and using it to our advantage we imitate something that in reality doesn't even exist. Not only is the beauty ideal to time consuming but for the majority of people it is the opposite of what nature gave them genetically. The way women of European descent in America are told they should look exemplifies this:
- For white women who have straight hair, but having straight isn't enough. Hair must be straight yet have "volume". Curly hair must be worn straight.
- Having full lips is not a common feature, yet everything possibal must be doe to make it look as though ones lips are fuller.
- The body must be model thin yet "curvy" in the right places (Only specific body parts are allowed to be curvy.), and don't be to thine because it is unhealthy to have a "bad" body image.
- Your completion can't be to white ( even though you have a light completion). If you are too pale you must tan in effort to get color which could result in premature aging.
- Insert five other crazy unrealistic dictates from the beauty industry...
Women of European decent are told that they should and can be the beauty ideal because they are White. However because you are white does not mean you will look just like the beauty ideal, it means that you are close enough to believe it is within your reach. There are varying degrees of separation depending what race a person is and how close they come to these standards. When it comes to judging how black people look The more European ones looks the better.
The same goes for other races also. I used to think that colorisim was only a problem in the African American community. I was very surprised when I learned that this is a serious problem in Indian and Latin communities also. Interestingly enough these same standards don't apply to men. "Tall, dark, and handsome" anyone?
So why are pale people trying to be dark and dark people trying the be pale? Why do people with large lips want small lips, and people with small lips want big lips? Today instead of appreciating our own features and celebrating them we hate and avode what makes us unique. Beauty to a large extent has become about changing ourselves instead of improving our own looks (contrary to what companies say). How come I hardly ever see Black, Indian, or Latin actresses with a rich skin complexion? Why do you think the beauty industry promotes this to every women no matter how close she is to standard of beauty? Because a person trying the change them self will spend more money than a person who is not. Thats only one of the more simple answers to this complex issue which will be discussed more at length on this blog.
Many are already aware of the horrible beauty standard which is unattainable, unrealistic, harmful, sexist, and racist among other things. Still people to not stop to think about the images we see very day that do have an impact on us. However, there is something more important than figuring out why the beauty standards are so ridiculous. You need to ask yourself if you are going to to some else tell you whats beautiful and whats not. Will you let the beauty industry dictate what you spend your money on? Because they say we should all look the same way are you going to spend your time fighting the inevitable, your genetics? Everyday Photoshopped starved women share back at us, their eyes saying, "you are not good enough because you do not look like me, if you buy you will be just as beautiful as I am." Let me give you my translation! "you are not good enough because you do not look like me, if you buy you will only be told to buy something else to make you even MORE incontent with your looks than I'll try to sell you something else!" When these adds cross your path will you be fooled by the clever wording and dream come true promises? Are you going to let them exploit what you perceive are your own flaws? Beauty starts from the inside literary, figuratively, and spiritually. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. People look their best when they look their best. Not like a carbon copy.
There will be more articles on beauty on my blog, I wanted to share my personal philosophy on beauty first.
- Lighter complexions are favored even though many of african decent have rich skin coloring.
- Black women are expected to spend enumerable hours altering their hair to that is will appear straight.
- Ether your can be stick thin or be curvy and have your body objectified and fetishized by the outside world.
- Basically try to look like anything BUT of african decent.
The same goes for other races also. I used to think that colorisim was only a problem in the African American community. I was very surprised when I learned that this is a serious problem in Indian and Latin communities also. Interestingly enough these same standards don't apply to men. "Tall, dark, and handsome" anyone?
So why are pale people trying to be dark and dark people trying the be pale? Why do people with large lips want small lips, and people with small lips want big lips? Today instead of appreciating our own features and celebrating them we hate and avode what makes us unique. Beauty to a large extent has become about changing ourselves instead of improving our own looks (contrary to what companies say). How come I hardly ever see Black, Indian, or Latin actresses with a rich skin complexion? Why do you think the beauty industry promotes this to every women no matter how close she is to standard of beauty? Because a person trying the change them self will spend more money than a person who is not. Thats only one of the more simple answers to this complex issue which will be discussed more at length on this blog.
Many are already aware of the horrible beauty standard which is unattainable, unrealistic, harmful, sexist, and racist among other things. Still people to not stop to think about the images we see very day that do have an impact on us. However, there is something more important than figuring out why the beauty standards are so ridiculous. You need to ask yourself if you are going to to some else tell you whats beautiful and whats not. Will you let the beauty industry dictate what you spend your money on? Because they say we should all look the same way are you going to spend your time fighting the inevitable, your genetics? Everyday Photoshopped starved women share back at us, their eyes saying, "you are not good enough because you do not look like me, if you buy you will be just as beautiful as I am." Let me give you my translation! "you are not good enough because you do not look like me, if you buy you will only be told to buy something else to make you even MORE incontent with your looks than I'll try to sell you something else!" When these adds cross your path will you be fooled by the clever wording and dream come true promises? Are you going to let them exploit what you perceive are your own flaws? Beauty starts from the inside literary, figuratively, and spiritually. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. People look their best when they look their best. Not like a carbon copy.
There will be more articles on beauty on my blog, I wanted to share my personal philosophy on beauty first.
What are your thoughts on the beauty industry today? Tell me in a comment below.
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