Future
Effects of the media defining black beauty ranges from skin bleaching to death. The most commonly seen effect is prolonged self-esteem issues. A perfect example of this prolonged self-esteem issue is the evolution of Lil' Kim. She came out as a tough female rapper that demanded the attention of her audience through her words, but shortly after being discovered she found pride in showing her body to the world through provocative attire. Throughout the years, the world has seen her transition from an innocent talent to a damaged young woman who no longer looks in the mirror and sees something beautiful so she continues to try to change through plastic surgery and provocative wear.
We are a part of a society where we live to be able to speak our minds freely, and, as long as someone has a mouth and a brain, there will always be something to be said about any and everything. Despite there not being any real stop to the media defining black beauty, there are countless actions that can be taken to redefine it. Websites such as My Black Is Beautiful and Black Girls Rock are a couple of organizations that support programs and events such as Queens Camp, Empowerment Circle, Girls Rural, P.U.R.P.L.E., and many more.
The Empowerment Circle is an event most commonly associated with Black Girls Rock. The event is developed to allow young women to be surrounded around successful, beautiful African-American women who have trumped the notion that African-American women aren't of the same value as their Caucasian sisters.
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Programs like the one picture to the left, are here in the community to help educate young African-American females of the type their unique beauty and how important it is to exude self confidence and pride. These progams toare very important to the community because it not only shows the younger generation that they can do more, but it also gives them hope and motivation to do more.
Websites such asAfro Puffs and Ponytails, Inc are great platforms to getting involved by either uplifting the younger African-American community or attending some on the events. |