HISTORY.
Throughout history, women of color have been challenged to look like the "white" beauty standard. The Western standards of female beauty during the 19th century were white, privilege, able, women that needed a small figure and big breasts for their husbands or to find a husband. Beauty norms have changed throughout history, but still kept the same idea.
During the 20th century, white women were expressing themselves in many different ways. In the 1920's, some women tried a new beauty standard of looking boyish with a sleek body figure (flappers). Women of color during this time were influenced by others to have this look. They had beauty products that would lighten their dark skin and get rid of their natural curly hair. Western standards of beauty were becoming a thing around the world which explains why most cultures have Western ideas of beauty standards in modern day.
Towards the 1960's, fashion industries started sending out the message of long legs, long hair and short skirts. They wanted to appeal to the men because our society was based off of male domination; women were presented as dependent, fragile and passive (WVFV 220). During this time, African American women did not conform to the "white" beauty norms, they started appreciating their bodies and worked with what they have. Marcus Garvey stated "Don't remove the kinks from your hair, remove them from your brain!" which a lot of African American women acted on.
Modern day beauty norms started to adapt the appearance of thin body shape, big breasts and white skin with a slight tan/pigment. Only a select women in the world actually look like that.
EXPERIMENT:
Observe your surroundings. Notice all the women and what they are wearing, and their actual shape in their clothes. Observe their hair; does it fit the beauty norm of long, blonde and straight? Did you notice that all women's body shapes are different? There was a select handful of women who had the "thin" shape, but they were even lacking the "big breast" title. What was the one thing that stood out to you?
It's okay to be different, every one is different.
Some interesting links about women throughout history...
During the 20th century, white women were expressing themselves in many different ways. In the 1920's, some women tried a new beauty standard of looking boyish with a sleek body figure (flappers). Women of color during this time were influenced by others to have this look. They had beauty products that would lighten their dark skin and get rid of their natural curly hair. Western standards of beauty were becoming a thing around the world which explains why most cultures have Western ideas of beauty standards in modern day.
Towards the 1960's, fashion industries started sending out the message of long legs, long hair and short skirts. They wanted to appeal to the men because our society was based off of male domination; women were presented as dependent, fragile and passive (WVFV 220). During this time, African American women did not conform to the "white" beauty norms, they started appreciating their bodies and worked with what they have. Marcus Garvey stated "Don't remove the kinks from your hair, remove them from your brain!" which a lot of African American women acted on.
Modern day beauty norms started to adapt the appearance of thin body shape, big breasts and white skin with a slight tan/pigment. Only a select women in the world actually look like that.
EXPERIMENT:
Observe your surroundings. Notice all the women and what they are wearing, and their actual shape in their clothes. Observe their hair; does it fit the beauty norm of long, blonde and straight? Did you notice that all women's body shapes are different? There was a select handful of women who had the "thin" shape, but they were even lacking the "big breast" title. What was the one thing that stood out to you?
It's okay to be different, every one is different.
Some interesting links about women throughout history...
Protesting Miss America
In 1921, the idea of "Miss America" was established. In 1968, the women's movement started to take a stand against the beauty pageant and ideal beauty norms. As the 1968 pageant ran, the protesting of 200 women were outside of the building where "Miss America" was held. The women stood outside with signs stating their opinions and trashcans full of beauty enhancers such as flat irons, bras and all different types of make-up products. Many people thought burning bra's took place, but the New York Times correctly reported that no fire was lit (WVFV 221).
In 1921, the idea of "Miss America" was established. In 1968, the women's movement started to take a stand against the beauty pageant and ideal beauty norms. As the 1968 pageant ran, the protesting of 200 women were outside of the building where "Miss America" was held. The women stood outside with signs stating their opinions and trashcans full of beauty enhancers such as flat irons, bras and all different types of make-up products. Many people thought burning bra's took place, but the New York Times correctly reported that no fire was lit (WVFV 221).