Beauty
Writer: Eunice Walker
Website: Click here to view her work!
“Skin as brown as burnt toast” is what he said to me. My reaction when tears rolled down my cheeks in front of him reiterated a much deeper feeling. Even after he’d consoled me, told me that he was sorry. But now every other good thing I’d heard concerning my beauty was deceiving.
I’d gone round to another friends one time; Sat at the table with her family ready to dine, until I touched the plate and fork I thought was mine. It was at this point her brother begins to whine; Disgusted at the thought of me touching his plate, refusing to eat because I’d touched his plate, throwing tantrums because I’d touched his plate, making the biggest fuss because I’d touched his plate - and till date I can’t seem to get my head wrapped around the fact that he never actually ate.
It wasn’t until they’d changed his plate but by then it was too late and now 9 year old me was confused at how they viewed me.
Beauty lies in the eyes of…
No, beauty lied in the eyes of, culture. She would come to disprove the sight of her reflection from a younger age; but little would she know that it’s more than just a phase. So she will continue to hold on to those darker days. For years, beauty blinded herself to the worldly ways; She eased herself into it - Nothing too out of place.
Though coming from a society in which she was so easily accepted, it was completely deflected stepping foot into another man’s land.
Her kind? Nowhere to be found, only in the likes of her extreme circle of family and friends around. But she didn’t mind. Again, she eased herself in - after all they didn’t seem to care too much for her settling in. She was the girl with the darker skin.
Racism, Colorism, Ignorance are just among the many things wrong with humanity. Yet my God sees us right. I allowed myself to live according to man’s standards
I was confident in their opinions of their view on my beauty - I couldn’t see me
So I allowed their views to influence my self-confidence and my self worth but 20-year-old me grew to find my identity in Christ
I’d learnt to accept darker skin
I’d learnt to accept fairer skin
Because identity is found in Him, and not them
In His eyes, we are not only beautiful but we are royalty
And I will not allow history to define me
Beauty lies in the
eyes of the creator.
Worth Capturing
A Photo Exhibition @ Doyle Wham
Location: 35-37 Villiers Street, London, WC2N 6ND
Dates: 4 November - 14 November 2021
Opening Hours: 12 pm -7 pm daily
Curated by: Theresa Macharia