Definition Essay: Describing The Concept Of Beauty

I have always believed deeply that the role of a mother holds complexities that I have come to appreciate. It amazes me how innate characteristics are completely unravelled once a woman gives birth. As people have certain ideas of how a mother acts and presents herself, there is a unique depiction particularly of African American mothers during the 20th century. At the Mothers in Movies event, we were presented with different clips to analyze and discuss. The compilation of these clips surfaced different ideas held of African American mothers during the 20th century, such as conformity to social norms, aggressiveness, and tough love.

African American mothers provide for their children’s physical survival and attending to their emotional needs happens, but there is a collective responsibility to look out for other mothers children as well (Collins p. 328). This community-based childcare and reliance on others stems from the exploitation of Africans as slaves. No one more could nurture her child and take that up as an occupation; they had to look out for one another at their place of employment. Even when the Emancipation came about and the political role of women changed in America with domestic jobs, the meaning of work and the way women handled family never changed (Collins p. 330).

Sweetness’ daughter is not only successful, but sends money to her mother every month because Sweetness as a good heart and still cares about her mother. Although, having a terrible and outrageous mother, her daughter turned out to be a proud black independent woman. Even though, the father had left and having a terrible mom, she surpassed the suppressions that had been placed onto her. Although, the daughter has made herself successful, the father is still out of the picture. Which isn’t unusual because the stereotype that all men leave the women as the kid comes to existence is shown in this book as well as “Desiree’s Baby”.

It’s sad that one day, I will have a daughter who will question her beauty because of the color of her skin. It’s an unnecessary milestone in so many young black girls’ lives, and it will continue to be unless people embrace black beauty. When I was younger, around twelve years old, I had posters of white women in my room. My mother asked why, and at the time, I didn’t understand her question, so I couldn’t possibly have an answer. Now that I’m seventeen, I understand. If I had understood then, my answer would be because those were the only representations of beauty I was given. This is why young and old black women struggle to believe in their

Zandria Robinson’s article for Rolling Stone was amazing, articulate, and highly controversial. I appreciate Robinson’s attention to the details of the underlying facets of Beyonce’s work, and how they connect to black women all over the world. Robinson explores the idea that Beyonce uncovers the collective struggles of life that many black women hide. In my experience at Spelman, especially true is Robinson’s idea that, “part of Black women’s magic, born out of necessity, has been the ability to dissemble.”

Before understanding the toil African American women faced from the numerous depictions of the media, what exactly defines a black woman? Is it her hair, assets, or character? Women of all races were for centuries considered the lesser of the man, the caregiver supplying anything for their husband as they requested, even once without the right to vote. In history, black women have taken even more criticism for being both black and a female. This is shown in slavery, and segregation. Black female leaders fought for the due respect that women needed, making it seem as if the women of today have no care for their work that is incomparable to that of their ancestors. Confidence, self-esteem, and beauty are the biggest aspects women treasure most but some go to the extreme of exposing their bodies for such attention, similar to what is seen in the media. While the degradation of the media promotes these statements through popular music, television, and the influence on the younger generation, the overall self-worth of black women aspiring for success is spiraling downward.

All that we need is to use our five senses. Let’s meticulously observe ourselves and records the facts how the way we look, smell, taste, sound and feel. This is what the way we are and this is what the way God has made us. And, God never makes the mistake. Black women have their own identity. They are unique. Thus, rather following the celebrities liked by everyone, the black women have to work out their own recognition in terms of fashion, behaviour, looks, education, shopping, and acting and even in the corporate strategies of the business. The reason because black women are made different is that they are born for different approaches in life. Currently, the image of black women in the media is badly intoxicated by the news of domestic violence, strong physique, bad attitudes and misery of being beaten by men (Brinkley et al, p.p 113). Although, these facts are quite true up to some extent but we know that this is not the entire picture. The fact is that we all have an attitude problem. Not all of them are bitter. Black women are sagacious enough to control the matter. Yes! The obesity level is higher among black women. Moreover,

It is May, 1970. Sweat drips from foreheads like raindrops, and everyone is trying to endure the inescapable heat. Young girls jump rope outside, while smaller children race to the tune of the ice cream truck echoing their eardrums. My grandmother, who is 19, sits perched on her sofa, listening to Aretha Franklin on her father's brand new record player. While she drifts away with Aretha's voice, she indulges herself with a new fashion magazine she bought earlier that day. It is called Essence. The woman on the cover is black and beautiful. Her eyelashes are a mile long, and her glossy lips are full and perfect. She is every man's dream, and what every woman wishes to be. During a time of racial discrimination, black people, especially black women, were stamped into the shadows. Essence gave black women a voice, in a time when they were silenced in the fashion industry. Forty-six years later, the magazine continues to cover different aspects of the lives of black women. Essence effectively appeals to its audience by utilizing vibrant written and visual content, which empowers their audience, and also covers several aspects of life

Gerald Early, the author of the essay Life with Daughters, describes the hardships of being African American especially when trying to raise two daughters who don’t believe they are beautiful . Early’s purpose is to inform the reader of all the difficulties that black girls face growing up in a society who has defined beauty with the image of a white, skinny blonde. He adopts a bitter tone in order to point out all of the difficulties these girls face in order to appeal to similar feelings and experiences of other African American girls their parents.

These programs are geared towards the self-knowledge and self-development of black girls (Bryant 88). This means there is a place where black girls can learn about themselves without the fear of being judged or rejected by society’s standards. These programs are supposed to counter “negative self-perception . . . young [black] women face and promote positive life outcomes” (Bryant 88). Bryant also argues that “Empowering dark-skinned black women with these programs and interventions can help reinforce the notion that all black skin tones should be part of the established beauty standard” (88).

Take the time to examine each individual as they scurry on by, wake up in the wee of hours to catch a glimpse of an array of colors that hit the morning sky, or even reenact the moments that you find most special. In these actions you will find beauty. A pretty face does not complete the definition of beauty, nor does the qualities of being charming and compassionate. People are not the only ones that depict beauty; there is beauty everywhere. Moments, feelings, and characteristics flourish in beauty. Beauty is simply happiness.

I actually felt pretty…”flaws” and all. The realization that the black community suffered from colorism made me feel…good. I felt this way, because I finally figured out that I should not let ignorance make me feel like nothing. I could only hope that many other black girls come to this conclusion. To erase other men’s disgust from their minds. To delete rude remarks from their memories. It does not take much for any certain idea to be imprinted into a young child’s mind. For a child to grow up thinking darker is worse should be unthinkable. No one should let other people define self-beauty. Beauty works from the inside to the out, and if our youth in the black community was taught this, then many little girls would not have to ask the same questions I asked when I was

Patricia Hill Collins illustrates the maternal love through the African-American communities, and Charlotte Perkins Gilman uplift such love to the holy level in her female utopia, demonstrating the power of motherhood both socially and spiritually. However, descriptions related to men and fatherhood were rarely shown. What will the world only consisted of men look like? How will fatherhood operate and influence the development through that

On this inclusion Michelle as an example of black beauty could be that black women and adolescent do not match beauty only on a physical level. Michelle Obama is generally seen as a positive role model in the young black community. She acknowledged has having integrity of her character. The ideal standards of Black beauty were suspended to include Michelle Obama responding to dismissing her beauty due to the fact that she doesn’t the ideal image. Another explanation for this behavior is that this negative portrayal of Black identity caused the Black community to express group loyalty by asserting a stronger group membership (Ellemers, Spears, Doosje, 2002, p.178).

black woman is only beautiful if SHE believes it, if she looks at herself and