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Posted on Aug 5, 2015

4 Reminders Of Why Black Beauty Is Dope

In a society where black features are celebrated but black people are not, why not take a few minutes to celebrate the beauty that is, our blackness?

by Rayna Moore

Community Contributor

Everything about being Black is in... Except actually being black, that is. Full lips. Large backsides. Tanned skin. Protective hairstyles. These features--unappreciated and devalued when present naturally in women of color--are glorified, fetishized, desired and applauded as "exotic" when present on non-women of color.

Since society seems to have forgotten, below is quick reminder of the depth, beauty, and pure perfection that is blackness.

Enjoy!

There's history and context tied to these styles that cannot be ignored, a historical legacy forever linked to the ongoing cultural remnants of slavery and institutional racism. Appropriating these styles dismisses that context and turns blackness into a novelty, a parody--a subtle form of blackface.

OUR STYLE IS NOT NOVELTY. It's poetry in motion. Love it. Love us. Love yourself.

Artist. Writer and Social Critic at www.cocoamoore.com. Black Woman. Future Mommy to a Young Black King. This will be my greatest assignment yet.

For more of my musings, follow my blog at www.cocoamoore.com.

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4 Reminders Of Why Black Beauty Is Dope

On the Fetishizing and Appropriation of Black American Culture:

1. Our Skin Color:

2. Our Hair:

3. Our Full Features:

4. Our Style:

In Short...

4 Reminders Of Why Black Beauty Is Dope

On the Fetishizing and Appropriation of Black American Culture:

1. Our Skin Color:

2. Our Hair:

3. Our Full Features:

4. Our Style:

In Short...

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