Say NO to Filters

Why is it that the changing of the lighting or color of a photo called a “filter?”

From what I understand a filter is a device that gets rid of impurities,

Thus saying, what is Instagram telling me?

By the sixteen filter choices I have to “amplify” my selfie,

are you telling me that these are sixteen ways to get rid or cover up my flaws?

Excuse me, but I am the teenager with acne scars on her face.

Yes, I will admit it.

Perhaps this is a perfect opportunity to pretend its not there

But, I also have wrinkles,

discolorations,

blue and grey bags under my eyes,

and I have grown to embrace these beautiful so-called “flaws.”

What happened to the importance and beauty of a personality?

I am the girl who still dances around the room while getting ready in the morning.

I am the girl who paints pictures for hours just because she wants to.

I am the girl who balanced a job, school, and family matters while going through many mental breakdowns.

Do those things not matter? Or is the way I present myself more important?

To make sure that I, me, myself, a woman, have beautiful skin, a perfect smile, or

sleek and smooth hair that glistens in the sun like on the commercials.

Ideas, expressions, speech, and positivity

are so much more important than physicality of a human being.

We are beautiful.

Have always been.

And we are so very powerful.

And we do not need a filter for that.