The Emancipation of Beauty
Disclaimer: Beauty is a sensitive topic, and I am aware and respect that the experiences, opinions, and perspectives of others may vary. I am also well aware that being a black woman of a lighter complexion when compared to whiteness does not make my experience and perspective better than anyone else’s, and others do not have to follow my views. I acknowledge that what is shared is not a cure for any of the systemic issues that negatively impact the concept of beauty. Instead, this is merely a perspective that encourages redefining what beauty is or can be.
What is beauty?
We’re taught that beauty is conditional. Claiming your beauty isn't enough unless others agree. But as we navigate a new era of exploring beauty, definitions are changing. And for myself, having lived through some life-changing experiences (some at the expense of beauty), my own definition of beauty has changed.
Beauty can't be fully explained or understood, making the concept of beauty all the more powerful. Beauty is inevitably vast and cannot confine to a single set of constructs. I believe there is no one definition or standard, and it is time that we redefine the term for ourselves.
Beauty is traditionally known as a narrow set of ideals where the natural, physical traits of one particular group of people are favored. These traits are comparisons and standards for those who are not preferred. Unfortunately, these now become unrealistic standards that are nearly impossible to achieve without giving into consumerism–the bridge connecting us to the unrealistic through purchase power. It shows us that if we don't meet all the criteria required to fit into the traditional standard of beauty, we can pay our way to a similar experience. However, we are reminded that we will never share the same life experience, and ultimately will not receive the same level of respect, as those who naturally fit into the unrealistic standard. Beauty is widely accessible and achievable outside of the norm, but because money is to be made and power is to be held, it is an exclusive pawn.
History and contemporary times show us that beauty is a profitable privilege where it is defined disadvantageously to benefit those in power. It is a currency to access better living, a measure of worth, and a tool used to stupefy others out of understanding their beauty. Those in power declare what is "beautiful" and work to retain control over a fruitful concept. They do not want to lose control over the minds of others they deem to be less than or feel that threaten their existence. And when we equate beauty to our self-worth, we strive to fit into a system that judges our beauty based on factors that are often out of our control.
As a black woman, I am too familiar with this dynamic, living through the implications that slavery has projected onto black beauty and black womanhood. Historically, many whites and non-blacks found any celebration and ownership of black beauty and black womanhood disturbing and unappealing; some still feel this way today. It is only recognized when someone outside our demographic misinterprets our existence through appropriation or fetish, failing to credit, respect, and appreciate us who naturally embody what is misunderstood.
While redefining the term is not a cure, nor is it an escape, from the continuous problematic hierarchy of who and what is the ultimate beauty standard, redefining beauty for myself allows me to control what I can and let go of what I cannot. Doing this will enable me to heal from impractical constructs that negatively impact the relationship between my beauty and the beauty of others. I'm emancipating the term from definitions that promote the idea that someone who looks physically pleasing to society deserves a better life experience than those who don't. It is practices of exclusion and the setting of unattainable benchmarks that reinforce the never-ending pursuit of beauty when in reality, we've been beautiful all along.
If I wait on various social and mass media outlets, companies, brands, schools, public figures, or men to validate my beauty, I'm only doing myself a disservice. Instead, I'm taking responsibility for validating my beauty. And as long as I do this, I permit myself to be beautiful because I'm capable of finding beauty within. And it's not the world's easiest task (thanks to the current systems we live under), but it's worth trying before I die.
There is power in appreciating all aspects that make up our beauty, not just the physical part. And I'm NOT saying we shouldn't try to look our best. But understand that looking your best may not match society’s definition of “best” and learn to be okay with the outcome.
Bottom line: Liberate and redefine your understanding of beauty. While we live in a society that says otherwise, your beauty is not conditional. It is not a quickly fleeting concept, nor is it a trend. Understand that the idea of beauty should (and I emphasize should) not be confusing or exclusive to one group of people and unattainable to another.
Beauty has always lived within each of us because there is beauty in being human.
How do you define beauty?
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