Eight years ago, I was told I had given birth to a dark-skinned girl.
I did not know which was more of a concern, that I had given birth to a girl or that she was dark-skinned. Might have been both.
I was asked to smear her face with yogurt to make her fair, rub flour on her skin to make it less hairy and draw her eyebrows with a specific fruit so that she grows up to have pretty ones.
So last night, when this school photo came in the mail, it took my breath away.
She was beautiful in her skin and that smile. I was proud of myself to have been able to put a stop to what was really ugly in this whole picture.
Using words such as intolerance and racism on social media alone or at weekend parties won’t solve anything. Acts like these start at home in different forms and doses. Be aware. Be the change.
—mala paul
Flommist Mala Paul is a protégé of the goddess of ten hands. Form to formless all in a day’s job. A mother, designer, dancer, foodie, fashionista, blogger, who is always ready to be the change. Copyright © 2015 Mala Paul.
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