Colourism continues to rear its ugly head again and again, even now, in an age where self-acceptance, individuality and self-love are celebrated and encouraged. Yet, colourism exists and even thrives in some of our most personal spaces.
“You’re really beautiful, for a dark girl.” Many dark women have received this “compliment” and had to take it with a grin – whether fake or real.
It’s as if being regarded as beautiful, or even “acceptable” as a dark person, is an anomaly; an achievement of sorts that makes one “prettier” than other dark people but not quite as beautiful as anyone else who is fairer. But what’s in a complexion? Does it really matter that much? The short answer is “yes” – especially if you’re a woman, because females bear the brunt of this type of bias.
