the truth is dark-skinned men & women of african descent continue to suffer the legacy of white world supremacy. the desire to bleach one's skin is similar to the obsession to lose weight: a racist society devalues women of african descent & markets women of european descent as beautiful, intelligent & powerful.

aralena leroy astutely points out the seduction of the media as it relates to our collective self-worth. ironically, many women of european descent have invested their money in cultivating african features (full lips, large hips, round ass, vuluptous breasts, i.e.) once considered savage yet now are deemed 'popular' in the lucrative fashion industry.

marcus garvey once said, "people who don't know their history are doomed to repeat it." beauty is not in the eye of the beholder; beauty is a biological inheritance - yet women of african descent must learn to affirm the divine within. loving ourselves & each other in our own image is a good place to start.