Dark?


Hola my friend!

Today was an enlightening day. As I travelled in bus after my ECE class, I happened to see so many people. As I keenly watched the budding School children and the elderly people, I noticed a major difference between them and the adolescent youth (including me). MASK! I noticed the youngsters - draped in shawls, wearing caps, holding an umbrella and completely covered head to feet (I too was having an umbrella in hand), whereas others had their face completely unprotected - no umbrella, no cap, no shawl and 100% absorption of Vitamin C.

I came to understand how youngsters take special care of their skin tone i.e complexion. This includes me too... I barely cared about my complexion as a kid, but as I grew older I started worrying about my dark chocolate complexion. It sounds funny; but originally it is a serious issue, as to how societal expectations change a person's thoughts, behaviour, self-confidence and worth. I came home and googled the psychology behind such a behaviour and learnt from psychologist Leon Festlinger that individuals evaluate themselves by comparing their attributes with others. Sadly, skin complexion and appearance tops the list. The word 'ideal' has corruped the human mind by setting false social standards such as fair skin and slim body. Nowadays, the standards are even more higher, say hourglass structure (it is basically a result of self-suffocation), sharp jawline, sharp nose bridge, glass skin, etc etc... What's funny is, some standards don't even make sense! Say, freckles - which were once considered disgraceful to the face is now celebrated due to famous idols... People tend to draw freckles on their clear face to accomplish the beauty standard and go with the trend.

I was personally hurt as I read about the fear, insecurities and mental stress of a person due to complexion! I myself have experienced it once:( Shouldn't the society be more open and accepting with the influence of modernism and technology? There was physical slavery once, now it has simply developed into an online mode! I'm not writing this to prohibit the usage of umbrellas or caps (bad joke... I know... Haha), but for people to accept and celebrate who they are! I'm proud to be a dark chocolate amidst the milk ones! I'm insecure at times and do care about my skin tone, but, can't I change? Ain't I God's unique art!? This is something I asked myself today! When a person gets rid of social standards in his/her life, I'm pretty sure they'll be the most confident, self-loving person in the room. Here's a small prediction of mine... When the makeup products fall down in sale, I think that's when the society has truly won -  it has become one that accepts originality! The process is hard, but the fight is worth it! So my friend, take a step away from false reality and celebrate the unique originality in you:)

Happy reading! Adios:)

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