Melanin Queen

Dear Melanin Princess,

I know it’s hard. Growing up in a world that was not created to acknowledge your beauty. A world that chooses to shade your coco skin rather than watch it radiate in the sun. I know how it feels see the media highlight and praise those tens times lighter than the skin God gave you, as you stand in the mirror hyper-analyzing every imperfection melted into that chocolate skin.

I know it’s hard trying to find something big enough on this earth to tame your lioness mane. The same one you tried to fix as you attempted to emulate those silky straight locks society has forced you to deem “perfect”. Once you pressed out every single strand, in the blink of an eye those resilient kinks arise causing you to take other measures.  The room now filled with the potent smell of chemicals and interpretation demand those kinks surrender to that tingling relaxer.

I know you wish that people would finally accept all that is you. You wish that your skin would be seen as liquefied gold; a priceless entity. You wish to be praised for the distinct way your unruly curls are able to defy physics and leave gravity behind as it moves in any way it pleases.

I am here to tell you; your time has come. It is now that I want you to embrace every variation of your brown skin, for it is magical. It’s glow causes even the shinies diamond to feel envy. And don't forget to let those kinks free. Watch it’s beauty as your thick nappy hair expands with even the slightest drop of water. For these things make you different, and never let anyone tell you there is something wrong with different. So as you love all God has given you, remember melanin queen this world was made for you.

Love,

Lauryn Davis