A little girl sits in front of the TV as she watches a Disney princess movie marathon; she plays with her barbie dolls, she does their hair, dress them up and make sure they look pretty. She draws pictures in class of girls with long straight hair and and skinny bodies. When asked to do a self-portrait, she stops. She realizing that every single standard of beauty that she has encountered did not reflect what she saw in the mirror. When she wakes up, she sees her kinky hair, her curving hips, dark-sun kissed-skin, her full lips, and rounder nose. She thinks to herself, how is she suppose to draw herself? So she adds straight hair to the picture, she makes sure that she is very skinny and she uses the lightest brown she can find, because that …show more content…
I was so excited about going to see Blank Panther because it was the first movie that I have seen in my lifetime where the cast was basically all black. I was excited for my people, this was a major step for us. As I saw the movie, I could help but dance, say my “oo’s and ah’s” and as I left the theater the first time, went back three more times, and read the prosperity box office articles, I couldn’t help but just bask in joy. I then started to think about why I was so excited to see this movie and it hit me, as I sat in the theatre in every single showing. I was not only excited that this was a all-black cast movie, but that the representation of women in this movie was fierce and amazing. The term black girl magic is personified in this movie. The way Lupita fights for what she believes in and is the loyal to her community. The way Okaye came into the room and took charge, when she needed to. The way Shuri was young black educated women, who was more advanced than anyone else in her field. There were so many powerful women in this movie and they really encouraged me. I felt like I could actually relate to their struggle, how they felt, I loved the way they dressed and their hairstyles were so beautiful, it made me want to get rid of my pressed hair and try out some of the styles. These women were beautiful and I was so happy that I got to see a wonderful representation of black magic. I felt empowered by these women. Power that I did not feel I was lacking, but it was definitely needed. Power that I wanted to share with my sisters and friends. Power that can help me become a better and more confident person in my skin and culture. I was proud after watching Black Panther, proud to be a black women. I am proud of my kinky hair that I can have multiple hairstyles with and proud of the body that I am