Definition Essay: Describing The Concept Of Beauty

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.”

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.

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”.

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).

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

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).

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

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,

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

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).

Herland has its unique origin that all present residents descend from only one mother, who profoundly founded and continued a new race. Ever since, the daughters afterward “[inherit] all that the devoted care of that declining band of original ones could leave them” and actively take on the role to dedicate their love to the future generations (Gilman). They respect mother-love and “raise it to the highest power” because for them, maternal love founds, preserves, and empowers their own race (Gilman). Not only fulfilling the current responsibilities of raising and caring for their children, mothers contribute to the continuation of the entire human generations, extending beyond the present. For black women, they take on the responsibility to advance the future of the entire community or even their population. Rooted from the origin of community mothermothers, their “feelings of responsibility for nurturing the children in their own extended family networks have stimulated a more generalized ethic of care where Black women fell accountable to all the Black community’s children” and also those from the future generations (Collins, 49). Passing onto their daughters’ this generous and extensive love, mothers perpetuate the advancement of the family and the community. Thus the human race progresses, driven by this eternal cycle of

     The essay “In Search of Our Mother’s Gardens” by contemporary American novelist Alice Walker is one that, like a flashbulb, burns an afterimage in my mind. It is an essay primarily written to inform the reader about the history of African American women in America and how their vibrant, creative spirit managed to survive in a dismal world filled with many oppressive hardships. This piece can be read, understood, and manage to conjure up many emotions within the hearts and minds of just about any audience that reads it. However, Walker targets African American women in today’s society in an effort to make them understand their heritage and appreciate what their mothers and

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

The definition of beauty is a characteristic of a person, animal, place, object, or idea that provides a perceptual experience of pleasure, meaning, or satisfaction. Beauty has negative and positive influences on mostly people. Beauty is described by the inside and outside of us. Due to beauty, our self-esteem has been hurt dramatically, especially towards girls. Beauty is not always about our outside looks but it’s about our inside personality also.

What is beauty? How do we decide who is attractive and who is not? Society is full of information telling us what is beautiful, but what fact is that information based on? The topic of beauty has been studied, analyzed and controversial for centuries. We all know the feeling you can have when you hear a beautiful song that brings joy to your heart, stand in a field of flowers that excites your eyes, or admire a face that is visually pleasing. As human beings, we are all drawn to beauty, but what is it that makes something beautiful? The controversial issue that surrounds beauty is that some believe that true beauty is defined by someone’s outer appearance, while others believe it is something that is experienced through a person’s