Am I too Ethnic?

I know this is a question we refuse to ask, but it's one we answer everyday. Think about it. All ethnic people, anyone who isn't blonde haired, blue eyed, and very fair skinned, are told to be ethnic but not too ethnic. The most popular stars in most countries are those with whiter or mixed race features. In Asian countries, record labels scout out Hapas, or those mixed with white, to be the next star. What does that show the rest of the non-mixed asian population? It shows them they're not good enough. Many of these women resort to damaging skin bleaching and risky eyelid surgery. They are taught the less Asian their features, the better they look.

In races with a variety of skin tones, we know that lighter skin is revered and darker skin is seen as a curse. In the African American race, darker skinned men are seen as the creme de la creme. The darker and more chiseled they are, the more desired they are. The opposite goes for women. The darker you are, the less of a chance you have of dating within your race. It's ironic I see more white men with darker skinned women. I believe this comes from slavery. The men with darker skin were seen as stronger and more able to work, while lighter skinned women were revered by the slave masters. Quadroon balls are a notorious part of New Orleans history. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I've never heard a dark skinned man told that he is fine to be dark skinned, but women hear it all the time.

I think it's ironic that we're told to love our ethnicities but not too much. I believe that's why hair is relaxed. The worst thing a black woman could be is dark skinned and nappy haired. The dark skin is a bit more acceptable but heaven forbid your hair is nappy. Girl, you better get you a box of dark and lovely. This is why Vogue Africa failed to take inception. No one is ready to celebrate black beauty, especially African beauty. Africans are seen as savages that need to be fixed and why would anyone want to celebrate that?

We need to love ourselves as we are. We're always told what we should look like in the media and very few of us actually look like that. If you're Jewish and you have a bigger nose, than love it. If you're black with kinky hair, embrace it. If you're Asian with strong features, bring them out. Whatever you are, love it.