Writing for Clutch magazine, Shayla Pierce says she's beautiful because of her blackness, not in spite of it.
… I can tell by the way they say it. "You look mixed." It's the same smarmy inflection with which they deliver such classics like, "Let me take you shopping"; as if they've successfully implemented the line that will render you completely unable to resist them and couldn't be more impressed with themselves. Then they smirk, bask in victory, and wait patiently for the panties to melt right off your body.
But this assumption is not with bias. I've asked other Black women, of all shades, shapes, and sizes, if they've heard this line a time or two. This "you look exotic" phenomenon isn't just a cluster of isolated incidents reserved only for yours truly. Apparently, this a thing now.
But what's the big deal right? Why would I interpret being called exotic looking to be a bad thing? Multiracial women are stunning. Shouldn't I be flattered?
In a word? No.
Because, yes, multiracial, biracial, Hispanic, and Asian women are in arguably gorgeous. But so are Black women. Regular old Black women just like Beyoncé, and Janet, and Tyra and innumerable other African-American women who, for generations, have been revered as the most beautiful in the world.
So do we really have to be "mixed" to be beautiful? Should another race, ethnicity, or nationality be a requirement for attractiveness?
Read Shayla Pierce's entire piece at Clutch magazine.
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