Many people associate migrating to Europe or North America with advancing in life. Some say it offers more opportunity while others say it’s a concrete jungle with nothing being handed to you. My opinion remains the same each time I’m asked: every place has its own struggle.
I have learnt to appreciate all of my past habitats differently. In Guyana, I love the natural laid-back feeling and the access to fresh fruit and cow’s milk. In Europe, I really appreciate the water not cutting off at 10 pm and the more or less general respect for traffic lights. There will always be things you like or dislike about the places where you live.
As I try to find my place in my new home, I sometimes feel a bit of an outcast in terms of my sense of my identity. But feeling displaced has always been there even when I lived in Guyana and Cardiff. This particular problem has stayed with me across borders. I guess it’s stems from the self-hate the media channels, no matter where I go.
For me personally, I think the displacement also comes from the fashion and beauty industry favouring lighter skin tones, women with small breasts, tiny noses, straight hair and thin lips. There is a general problem with the way ‘beauty’ is seen. Certain types are marginalized.
I believe most of us have indulged in a little self-hate at some point and made changes to our appearance. We may have chosen to cut our braids or straighten our hair because we were made to feel that we did not fit in with our natural black beauty features. Society shouldn’t make us feel this way though.
Europe is known for being a hub for fashion, but unfortunately it doesn’t wholesomely promote beauty across borders. However, because of what is seen as ‘prestige’ in the industry, Europe and North America have most people brainwashed into thinking that a certain type of beauty is the only form of beauty. We are subconsciously trained to self-hate and change our appearance in return for appreciation.
One of the things I find most displeasing is the general support for these so-called beauty standards with almost no thought given to the long-term destructive effect it can have on us. In our very own Caribbean, we see people’s dissatisfaction with themselves. Bleaching creams fly off the shelves and all types are available for the different parts of your body.
A few days ago, MAC, the makeup brand, posted on its Instagram a photo of a black model wearing a purple-toned lipstick. Her lips were so full and beautiful. But immediately, the comment thread spiralled into hate speech with persons claiming the lips of black people are too big to be considered beautiful.
Earlier this week as well, Ajak Deng, an Australian supermodel also took to Instagram to announce her retirement from the fashion industry as she could no longer deal with the fakes and lies. Deng had long complained about the racism and the fact that she would receive less bookings because of her skin colour.
One of the many reasons this is happening and continues to happen is because we allow it to be okay. From almost every angle, women of colour are constantly faced with questioning their image and their identity. I believe that like music, fashion can be used as tool to help to grow self-love and appreciation.
The clothes and seasons change but the artist’s ability to appreciate a broader scale of beauty is slow to follow. It’s so weird because this could allow a wider client base.
I have become more exposed and I now find myself side in a place where conversation is forever rampant on self-love and racism. It’s not one of those things you feel too scared to talk about anymore.
The products and the marketing are in your face 24/7 and it all just becomes more vivid when you are actually sitting in the environment from where its being channelled.
I remember being at a Chronixx’s show and listening to him as the show was coming to an end. He said artists must be able to capture the emotions of the people and reincarnate them through their creative medium. They must creatively voice the problems and offer solutions.
I personally believe that we need to set the stage for the appreciation of women of all skin colours and features. Sure everyone’s aesthetic is different and it appeals to different cross sections but I find it strange that every year the runway looks the same.
This is one of the things that displeases me, the continuous segregation of beauty which spirals off into mainstream media allowing some women to constantly feel displaced.
