Vera Sidika: The Skin color debate.
By: Joan Wangari
Posted on Thursday, September 24, 2020
For a longtime the standard of beauty has always been based on a fair complexion and pale skin. The color black was shunned until Lupita Nyong’o happened. People all over the world including Asians, Europeans and other races have desired to be lighter. Black has been perceived as the color of doom. When the lights go out, we say that there is a ‘black out’, if a certain spot Is prone to accidents we call it a ‘black spot’ even in school if you are constantly in the wrong you are put in the ‘black book’. For this reason people have indulged in skin lightning and the skin lightning business has boomed. The industry is approximated to be worth billions of dollars. People have lightened their skin for different reasons. Others do it in order to boost their confidence, others as a beauty trend and for some it’s to attract some attention.
While speaking to Tamima, Amy Wambui revealed that she had her skin lightened because in her family she was the darkest member. For a longtime she envied her light skin relatives and hoped to be that attractive one day. Though she was comfortable in her skin, lightning her skin was a way of enhancing her beauty. For Amy, lightning her skin has made her more confident and she now feels good about herself. It took Wambui one year for her skin to be as light as she wanted. She uses products from France and Ivory coast. Maintaining her skin costs her an average of 120 thousand Kenya Shillings per year.
Amy advised people who want to lighten their skin to invest in research and quality products. She stretched the importance of being patient with the process. Rushing the procedure may be harmful to your skin and other internal organs. When asked how she will handle her children when questions of her natural skin color pop up, she said she would be honest and encourage them to pursue the color of their choice.
The pressure to look good has been imposed on people by the people they follow on social media. Young girls and even boys have succumbed to the pressure and have opted for very cheap yet harmful products. Vera Sidika, a Kenyan socialite has undergone a few procedures to not only enhance her skin color but also other features of her body. Ms.Sidika once disclosed that she spent over 15 Million Kenyan shillings to lighten her skin. Vera revealed that her body is her money maker and so she has to invest in it.
Whatever the color of your skin is, always remember that you are beautiful. You may be as dark as midnight or as light as the break of dawn but what really makes you beautiful is what is in your heart. People will not remember what you looked like, how beautiful you are but they will always remember how you made them feel. The true mark of beauty is within. However, do what makes you happy. Do what makes your heart smile and your soul dance. You only live once and rules are meant to be broken.
Have yourself a happy and fulfilling life,cheers.
