Opportunity for Our People Scholarship

I'm an average-looking black woman, and I'm perfectly content with it. In the new age world full of BBLs, botox, and bundles, black women are raging war against extreme beauty standards, and we're losing ground. Navigating societal expectations of how we should look is overwhelming and exhausting, but we cannot give up. I believe that my blackness is beautiful; however, it is my unpopular opinion that being an average-looking black woman is not only okay but also something to be celebrated. Now more than ever, I want to highlight the importance of embracing authenticity and finding beauty in one's average appearance, challenging the dominant narrative that promotes unattainable ideals of beauty. To begin, black women, in particular, are subjected to Eurocentric beauty standards that often exclude and marginalize those who do not fit within these norms. Not only are we discriminated against by others, but we judge each other based on who has the loosest curl, lightest skin, and best nose. By embracing our average looks, we reject the notion that our worth is determined solely by physical appearance. Instead, we embrace our individuality and challenge the harmful ideals that have long dominated the beauty industry. Celebrating average-looking black women is also essential for fostering representation and inclusion. The media often lacks diverse representations of black women, favoring those who conform to traditional beauty standards. By embracing our average appearances, we broaden the definition of beauty and create space for a more inclusive representation of black women. This allows younger generations to see themselves reflected positively and encourages them to embrace their natural beauty without feeling the need to conform to unattainable ideals. Moreover, I feel that embracing the average look will save many young black women from unnecessarily pursuing cosmetic surgery. Although I am in support of surgery to change deformities and transform someone's self-confidence, I am strongly against promoting surgery as an instant fix. Plastic surgeries are life-changing and some have permanent consequences. Furthermore, the pressure to be exceptionally beautiful can be emotionally and mentally draining, especially as marginalized individuals who face additional systemic challenges. Embracing mediocrity as a black woman allows for self-care and the prioritization of mental well-being. Go to the gym to feel good, not to compete with the body of an Instagram model. Do your skincare routine to relax and indulge in the little things, not because you want to look like an influencer on TikTok. Engaging in activities such as these encourages setting realistic goals, embracing imperfections, and finding joy in the beauty of life rather than a single glimpse. By focusing on self-care, black women can preserve their emotional resilience and lead healthier, more fulfilling lives. In a society obsessed with physical appearance, embracing being an average-looking black woman is a revolutionary act of self-acceptance, authenticity, and empowerment. It challenges narrow beauty standards, redirects focus towards inner qualities, builds authenticity, inspires self-acceptance, and promotes representation. Let us celebrate the beauty of being average-looking black women, for our worth and value extend far beyond our physical appearances.