As a beautiful chocolate woman, I have been plagued with the phrase, “You’re pretty, for a dark-skinned woman.” Even though I like being told I’m pretty just as much as the next woman, I don’t need the extra clause. I’m sure other dark-skinned sisters can relate. A comment that’s meant to be a compliment is so easily turned into a back-handed insult.
Why can’t we just be pretty or beautiful like everyone else? I’ve never heard a man say “you’re pretty for a light-skinned woman”…or “you’re pretty for a brown-skinned woman…”
So when did being dark-skinned become some bad disease? Those who make such comments come off as if their saying that being pretty and dark-skinned is a rare exception. Do they not know there is beauty inside of all us? The same God that made light, brown, white and dark-skinned people created us all.
I have learned that those who make such ignorant comments are the true ones that are suffering. They’re suffering from the lack of self- love. The sad thing is, this is often the behavior of our own people, who act is if African-Americans don’t have enough discrimination to deal with. Do we really need to add another one to the list?
So guess what?! We are pretty and yes, we are dark-skinned, but we are a woman first. A woman with feelings. A woman who feels just like the pretty light, white, brown, or yellow woman. If you believe I am a beautiful woman, then just say it. We don’t need an “except for,” clause associated with our beauty. Let us learn to love each other for our individual beauty, regardless of what shape, fashion or color it comes in. We love our dark brown skin and ourselves. So should you!