#journalblr

What is the white beauty standard? Listed below are

Blonde Hair

Straight Hair

Blue Eyes

Minimal body hair

White/Light Skin

Skinny (size 00 – 6)

Small Chest

Small Bottom

Long Narrow Nose

Petite Button Nose

Muscular

Youthful 

Ruggedness

Innocence

Basically looking White/European

How did white beauty become the standard? Alejandro Franco wrote, "How Did White Become the Standard in Beauty? A Thoughtful History Reflection," an article explaining how European Colonizers used their skin color as a way to subjugate people of color.

Before Colonialism, most ancient societies viewed white complexions has been deeply thought to be a status symbol. For example: in Asia and Egypt, those who are white complexions are seen as elite. People who have darker complexion were associated as poor because they worked under the sun. Based on Asian and Egyptian culture (as well as other countries that display similar beliefs) there is already a colorist hierarchy in place. However, colorism doesn’t just stop at statuses.

Historically, Europeans thought white complexions symbolized nobility, divinity, and refinement (purity) – this meant it wasn’t just about being elite but beauty. There has been evidence in Greece and Rome where citizens used white lead or chalk to lighten their skin. Lightening was so prevalent that even elite’s togas are encouraged to be white; free from stains and dirt to showcase their class.

The Era of Colonialsim:

Due to this era of Colonialism, it brought damaging and long-lasting reinforcement of white superiority that is still happening today. When the Europeans were first colonizing various people, they used their (Europeans) cultural values and beliefs to enforce their subjugation; meaning European colonizers used the idea of their white skin to dominate and control people of color. This set the stage of racist ideology and “justified” oppression to exploit people who are of a darker complexion which is still being upheld today.

Today’s affects:

Marginalized people still feel the generational effects to this day: one of them being about their body standards. This generally applies to People of Color, especially the black community. During this day and age white beauty standards are still being upheld in academia and professions. Things like: hairstyles, tattoos, piercings, cultural outfits, and the way we speak are deemed to be unprofessional in work spaces and not welcomed in academia. This also applies to day to day life outside of school and work. Black, Indigenous, and People of color are always getting policed and ridiculed for their cultural wear until it is only palatable and “for” the white standards.

What do I mean by “palatable and “for” the white standard; it means white and some people of color partake in cultural appropriation especially when it brings profit

One example whenever Coachella season roll around Vanessa Hudgens is spotted wearing bindi’s that originate from India, Dream Catchers in her hair that originate from Ojibawe (Indigenous community/first nation), and Box Braids that originate from the black community and is used as a protective style.

(Quotations and Italics indicate words from articles)

Another perfect example is in the article “Blackness as a Costume”, written by Edanne Rowe-Taylor, she states that in 2010 Kim Kardashian “embraced the “BBL baddie” aesthetic: fuller lips, exaggerated curves, long acrylics, and deep tans. She wore cornrows (which she once called “Bo Derek braids”), used African American Vernacular English (AAVE), and styled herself in ways Black women had long been demonized for,” as well as, “[dropping] the bold makeup, dramatic curves, and flashy streetwear. She now wears minimalist neutrals and sports a noticeably slimmer frame. As the “clean girl aesthetic” takes over—an ideal that favours whiteness, wealth, and thinness—curves are quietly being erased from the spotlight.”

Now the last example: in the paper, “The Racializing of Beauty: The Rise of Western Beauty Norms and Self-Esteem Among Asian Women”, by Melody Chen. She talks about how western beauty standards influence Asian countries, primarily in East Asia. Chen “examines the cultural repercussions, as well as economic effects of Westernization on Asian beauty standards through three modes: [obsession] of skin- whitening, eyelid alterations [as gifts], and rhinoplasties. [She] highlights the economic impact on women and the effect of external beauty standards on female confidence and self-esteem.”

Now the real question, who holds real beauty?

Should beauty be obtained by a standard? In the article, “Is Beauty In The Eyes Of The Colonizer,” written by Leah Donnella, she talks about how beauty is intertwined with politics. There were multiple beauty movements throughout history that pushed back against white colonial beauty standard. For instance, Black is Beautiful is a movement that began in 1970's-80's that uplifts blackness. Donnella also goes over historical South Korean beauty standards. Prior to westernization in South Korea, there was a historical belief that nothing on the body should be altered because all features are gifts from the ancestors, yet in today's age South Korea is now known for plastic surgeries, especially gifting surgeries as a birthday gift.

Donnella wrote about earlier movements that tried to reject the white beauty standards and agendas, one of them being called Indigenismos Movement. Frida Khalo, who is a popular artist, is known to reject white standards by painting self-portraits of her natural features. In her self-portraits Frida Khalo painted her facial hair and amplified her beauty using vibrant colors. Donnelle adds plenty of movements that push back against the white standard in today's age.

There are movements that are intersectional like the Body Positive Movement, as well as the Fat Acceptance Movement that pushes against thin beauty standards. All of these movements that Donnelle mentions reminds us we are beautiful and should be accepted for who we are; that all beauty should be celebrated and accepted. However, pushing against the white standard will not be an easy thing to do.

Donnelle mentions a professor from Cornell University, Noliwe Rooks who teaches about politics of race and beauty. Rooks said, "when people attempt to decolonize the beauty standard there will still be some sort of push back, especially when it comes the black and brown community". In the article, Rooks gives an example of 2012’s news headline: Hampton University in Virginia, a policy is made that male students are not to wear dreadlocks due to being seen as unprofessional within the business school. In this article, Rook adds “We can live in a world where we try to do battle with those overarching narratives, [..] But the forces pushing back against it in many parts of the world — it's quite a headwind," which means fighting the beauty standards will be difficult because it is heavily institutionalized.

At the end of the article Donnelle writes, “When we're talking about personal beauty, having a beauty routine at all means that you are, consciously or unconsciously, accepting the idea that you need to change” this also pairs well with her earlier statement that beauty is more highlighted than hygiene, an example she uses is toothpaste having extra whitening when dentists say having a bit of a yellow hue is okay. She also adds that some people can decolonize beauty by not having any modifications or radical rejection of personal beauty being measured by self-worth (think of pretty privilege). Donnelle asks readers, “What are you trying to say with your beauty routine? And what ugly truths are you willing to deal with?” her questions should be kept in mind since decolonizing beauty standards is a great thing, but it is going to be a bit difficult because it’ll challenge people’s idea of current beauty standards that is centered around whiteness.

This leads me to add a journal prompt addressing the affects of white beauty standards and how we can unlearn them.

Journal Prompt: The Effects of White Beauty Standards

What features do you accept and find beautiful about yourself?

What features do you have that: you were made to hate, got made fun of, discriminated against, and gained criticism?

How did that make you feel and what did you do after?

In what ways are (or were) you participating and adopting the white beauty standards?

If you did try to appeal to western standards how did that make you feel?

If or when you embrace your features how did that make you feel?

How does the white beauty standard affect you growing up and as of today?

What will you tell your inner child/past you when it comes to white beauty standards?

When people question your beauty what will you say?