Has Lupita Nyong’o Changed The Perception Of Dark Skin?

Why should our beauty be questioned? Beauty is Beauty in whatever tone, texture or form. “It’s not fair…” Is a statement that comes to mind. But then again, that just sounds like complaining. Maybe we as dark skinned people should have complained sooner? Or maybe someone should have taken notice and fought our corner? There’s no question about Lupita being a great influence in society and grabbing the attention of individuals from every ethnicity. The question is, why has it taken Lupita Nyong’o to cause us to see ourselves as acceptable and desirable? Now dark skin is ideal and even so much as “royal”?

For decades, even centuries, dark skinned people have been ridiculed and made to feel unacceptable, especially by other black people. I speak from personal experience and matter of fact knowledge, as it is the simple truth. At the start of secondary school, age 11, it was made clear to me that dark skin was inferior and I would in fact be ridiculed by default from then on. So as positive as I feel about the changes we see in how dark skin is perceived, I also remember the negative.

There’s no denying the impact Lupita has had for the self-esteem of many. “Having someone so highly respected, who you feel represents a part of you, makes a massive difference in how you see yourself.” Her style, grace and elegance displays a woman who is confident in her skin, abilities and all that she represents.

What are your thoughts? Leave a comment on this post or the video and lets get our feelings understood amongst one another.