"How do I cope with being darker skinned as a girl\being teased?

[Anonymous]

• Hi I'm 23 & female I notice since i was 10 years old I got picked on for having a darker skin tone I wanted to know how do others view there darker skin complexion I notice get followed in stores, accused of wrong doing I never did but my fair skinned family never does experience this such as being laughed at, dirty looks, accused bad hygiene, falsely accused of stealing, I notice I don't get asked on dates as much as lighter skinned girls or Guys break up with me I got turned down job offers for my skin tone & called ugly too my mom light skin but my dark skin father he treats me mean like almost everyone does for my darker skin tone on regular basis I been skin bleaching for 4 years too

[Anonymous]

I'm sorry you're going through that. That really sucks. All I can say is there are plenty of beautiful dark skinned celebrities you can look towards such as Lupita Nyong'o, Coco Jones, Michaela Coel, Issa Rae, Tika Sumpter just to name a few.

Know that you are beautiful in the skin you're in. That you can overcome the adversity by knowing that there are many beautiful dark skinned women just like you that had to also fight their own adversities to being dark skinned. That's how you cope and get through it. You are worth it girl and you are beautiful!

[Asker]

:') thank you I needed to hear this I Been lost for a long while far as growing up black & darker skinned

[Opinion Owner]

You're so welcome! 💞

[chicken_nugget24]

No please don't bleach your skin. Own your dark skin, it beautiful ❤️

[Asker]

I don't do the bleaching like I used too or glutathione injections sometimes I cry about the bullying I have 1 white grandparents black ones I get judged because im lighter skinned enough I look like caramel color instead of buttermilk color I grew up thinking I want to be whiter in color is more pretty due to bullying & thanks for telling me embrace my skin it isn't too often I get that :'( :)

[chicken_nugget24]

It's okay and your welcome! by the way are you from South Africa?

[Asker]

I'm American black person but the color shaming is bad here in USA too

[chicken_nugget24]

I'm sorry. You shouldn't have to feel like this

[Asker]

The only that makes me feel better is I can talk to others about this kinda of stuff thank you for the advice & your time its means a lot

[chicken_nugget24]

You're welcome