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I Created This Compelling Series To Challenge Black Skin Bleaching
This is the story of how this series came to be.
Last summer I was driving home from work and felt the need to stop at a local grocery to get some malt beverage. As I was walking inside a young man under a hoodie was exiting, we passed each other without saying anything as his head was held down because he was on his phone. Moments later I heard someone call me by my nickname, “Kemar?” He told me he saw the car outside and realized it was me so he came back to check. We greeted each other with a signature hand gesture, which followed with a painfully awkward pause. His face was barely recognizable. He was bleaching. In life they say to each their own, but there are some things that don’t fit that narrative.
I asked him, “What’s that man, what’s with the bleaching?” He replied, “You know how things are, I have to be trendy and the girls love the light skinned look,”
I said, “Oh, light skin?” At this point he raised a spliff to his lips somewhat reluctantly, took a puff then nodded in approval. With a deadpan expression on his face he extended his hand and said we’d catch up a next time. He turned and exited the grocery store clad in his protective overall to prevent the sun from impeding his bleaching process.
The thing is, self hate works on itself so well that some of us willingly oppress ourselves. You do not need to erase your blackness. If you are bleaching for acceptance and reading this, look at the photos once more; you’ll get the picture.
More info: lexonphotography.com
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What do you think ?
Aaaa Bbbb 7 years ago
And at the same time, people give themselves skin cancer trying to tan. Both sad. No one should want attention from people shallow enough to exclude someone for being the "wrong" shade.
Adrian McDonald (Post author) 7 years ago
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Load More Replies...
FABULOUS1 7 years ago
This is sad because no matter much how you try and change yourself to please others it will never be enough.
Adrian McDonald (Post author) 7 years ago
Exactly, it will never be enough.
Load More Replies...
Beth 7 years ago
I saw a woman in the supermarket the other day with the most beautiful skin I've ever seen. She was very dark, like someone had sculpted her out of night, with the most beautiful sheen. Absolutely gorgeous. She told me no one had EVER complimented her on her skin before! Ok, now in NZ we don't have a lot of people of African descent (we do obviously have a lot of other skin tones from all over Asia and the Pacific Islands), but you'd have to be frickin blind not to see how lovely she was. Wouldn't it be funny if we could all change skin colour at will? I wonder what we'd end up with, because I'd currently be the colour of that woman.
Adrian McDonald (Post author) 7 years ago
I love your story especially the last part. That is such a beautiful thing to say!
Load More Replies...
Aahzmandus Pervect 7 years ago
Jamaica, right? I had no idea it was a problem there.
Load More Replies... anon12 7 years ago
Sad part is as we are progressing in many ways, we are pulled back with great force to these silly things - Skin color, body shaming, bullying, no equality, and many more !!! Next time when someone degrade you with what you are, just IGNORE, 'coz YOU are what matters to yourself ! Love yourself and be kind...
jenna 7 years ago
Just as stupid are people who will lie down on sunbeds for fake tans. People with frizzy hair want it straight, with straight hair want curly hair. Some people will just never be content with how they look and who they are. I think the problem of bleaching skin should not be a problem for those who embrace their skin colour. I love all diversity of human looks. In the end? all our bones are white, and our blood is red. I am "white" but I love the colour of the ebony skin. Think of Paul McCartney's song: Ebony and Ivory. Let's celebrate the differences together!
Charlotte Brine 7 years ago
I dont think sonetging as drastic as bleaching your actual skin can be quite compared to "people with straight hair wanting it curly" talk about downplaying the seriousness...
Load More Replies...
Purkait Akash 7 years ago
This issue can be seen more in south and south-east asian countries. Specifically India Where being of dark skin is perceived as lack of hygiene, inferior social status and sometimes non-trustwothiness. I've faced many people who refuse to believe i shower twice a day since my 'complexion' doesn't agree with it (we indians can be sometimes really dumb folded).
Aaaa Bbbb 7 years ago
And at the same time, people give themselves skin cancer trying to tan. Both sad. No one should want attention from people shallow enough to exclude someone for being the "wrong" shade.
Adrian McDonald (Post author) 7 years ago
I couldn't have said it better myself.
Load More Replies... FABULOUS1 7 years ago
This is sad because no matter much how you try and change yourself to please others it will never be enough.
Adrian McDonald (Post author) 7 years ago
Exactly, it will never be enough.
Load More Replies... Beth 7 years ago
I saw a woman in the supermarket the other day with the most beautiful skin I've ever seen. She was very dark, like someone had sculpted her out of night, with the most beautiful sheen. Absolutely gorgeous. She told me no one had EVER complimented her on her skin before! Ok, now in NZ we don't have a lot of people of African descent (we do obviously have a lot of other skin tones from all over Asia and the Pacific Islands), but you'd have to be frickin blind not to see how lovely she was. Wouldn't it be funny if we could all change skin colour at will? I wonder what we'd end up with, because I'd currently be the colour of that woman.
Adrian McDonald (Post author) 7 years ago
I love your story especially the last part. That is such a beautiful thing to say!
Load More Replies... Aahzmandus Pervect 7 years ago
Jamaica, right? I had no idea it was a problem there.
Load More Replies... anon12 7 years ago
Sad part is as we are progressing in many ways, we are pulled back with great force to these silly things - Skin color, body shaming, bullying, no equality, and many more !!! Next time when someone degrade you with what you are, just IGNORE, 'coz YOU are what matters to yourself ! Love yourself and be kind...
jenna 7 years ago
Just as stupid are people who will lie down on sunbeds for fake tans. People with frizzy hair want it straight, with straight hair want curly hair. Some people will just never be content with how they look and who they are. I think the problem of bleaching skin should not be a problem for those who embrace their skin colour. I love all diversity of human looks. In the end? all our bones are white, and our blood is red. I am "white" but I love the colour of the ebony skin. Think of Paul McCartney's song: Ebony and Ivory. Let's celebrate the differences together!
Charlotte Brine 7 years ago
I dont think sonetging as drastic as bleaching your actual skin can be quite compared to "people with straight hair wanting it curly" talk about downplaying the seriousness...
Load More Replies... Purkait Akash 7 years ago
This issue can be seen more in south and south-east asian countries. Specifically India Where being of dark skin is perceived as lack of hygiene, inferior social status and sometimes non-trustwothiness. I've faced many people who refuse to believe i shower twice a day since my 'complexion' doesn't agree with it (we indians can be sometimes really dumb folded).
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