Apr 12, 2021
The mirror reflects only what it sees – strength and power or insecurities that live behind the outward face. But inward there is more to glean. For centuries, external forces have rendered Black women subhuman in the foils of Mammy, Jezebel, tragic mulatto or emasculating beast. External forces notwithstanding, Black women have pushed back and are embracing a revolution, of sorts. Centering self, we have moved the dial to shirk off Eurocentric notions of physical beauty. We are also embracing our images with natural hair and rainbow hues on screen, becoming wiser beauty consumers and resisting powers that would diminish and define who we are.