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Beauty Through Our Own Lens

Beauty Through Our Own Lens

Dwain Wellington Rattray
Pride Contributing Editor

There are those among us who are not-so-fondly labeled as Grammar Nazis or the Grammar Police. Eyes are rolled and quiet sneers of derision follow, when corrections or comments are made concerning correct language usage. For instance, it has long been one of my annoyances to read the phrase, “a real man/woman.” Generally speaking, by definition, an adult human being born with male/female reproductive organs constitutes a real man/woman. There is a general failure to utilize adjectives to describe exactly what is meant to be said. Correct: “He is an irresponsible man.” Incorrect: “He is not a real man.”

I have no issue with labels, as long as they are accurate. Often frustrated with the apparent steady decline of the spoken and written English Language that is disguised as evolution, I pick my battles carefully. For our purposes here I could easily expound upon the negative connotations ascribed to words and phrases such as “blackmail” or “a dark day”; in contrast, there are the positive implications of, “white lie, white collar” etc.

Language is a powerful tool with far reaching ramifications depending upon its use. Humankind has increasingly developed to a point where certain words and phrases are now a part of our natural vocabularies and in many instances, a part of the psyche. As lauded as that may sound in some circles, it is quite often to the detriment of the self-image of peoples of colour. While our culture scrambles to be politically correct in addressing sexuality and gender, it seems humanity is left to societal nonchalance. We do not appear to care that there exists a covert (perhaps not deliberately) language spoken, that causes our minds to think in a certain fashion.

I recently read an article by Michaela Angela Davis, a writer and activist, who was the executive fashion, beauty and culture editor at Essence, editor in chief of Honey magazine and fashion director for Vibe magazine. The article was titled: Lupita, a Cinderella for everybody. The piece of course was in reference to Lupita Nyong’o. Let’s be clear, I have not seen the movie 12 Years a Slave, for which Ms. Nyong’o has received her accolades and two dozen (to date) awards. I know nothing of Ms. Nyong’o expect that she is Mexican-born to Kenyan parents and holds a master’s degree in acting from the acclaimed Yale School of Drama. I also know that she is not Cinderella, nor is hers a Cinderella story.

The accomplishments of Lupita Nyong’o are attributed to her talent, hard work, and her training, rather than magic, luck, and the saving love of a benefactor. But even then, that is not my main contention. Cinderella was white. While Dr. Martin Luther King had a dream, let us not be naïve enough to believe that the dream has been realized. We must look at our people through our own lens; it is our duty to take to task those do otherwise. There must be no complacency if we are to shift the mindset of a generation and a people.

Ms. Davis writes on edition.cnn.com: “The Cinderella story endures because deep down, people want to believe in improbable beauty and equal access to happily ever after. You know how it goes: A kind young girl alone and far from home is placed in a hostile environment, ignored and abused. Against all odds, she finds the power of her imagination, transforms into a graceful beauty and becomes the belle of the ball.”

There is nothing improbable about the beauty of Lupita Nyong’o—and that is all I will say on that subject. As the child of an educator/politician who was immersed in the art of acting, Nyong’o certainly was not, “in a hostile environment, ignored and abused.” I could go on, but I believe you get the point. Some will argue that the Cinderella analogy is appropriate since it is reported that Nyong’o struggled with her self-image, and her eminent arrival on the proverbial red carpet is indeed her belle of the ball moment.  That is a conversation for another time. Even then, that is not my biggest issue.

My issue is this. Why must we continue to use language and thought processes and definitions of beauty based upon others to describe and evaluate our people and our culture? If we do not begin to consciously change our language, what hope is there for future generations? What of the adjectives Michaela Angela Davis? Perhaps: Lupita, an Unlikely Princess for everybody would have been more appropriate. To praise an individual’s achievement, while invoking their heritage and simultaneously likening them to another culture, is a juxtaposition of gross inappropriateness. Peoples of African descent have endured and continue to endure too much across the globe for ill-comparisons to be of null effect. Journalists, writers and editors have a sacred responsibility to accurately create a history in their most true voice.

So I challenge you my reader, be the eyes that will leave no misplaced word or idea unchallenged. Do not be content with moving on with a simple shaking of the head or quiet acceptance. Challenge the norm and change the status quo! Do it for yourselves—do it for our children.

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