YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL
...in every single way


There is a principle in design called the Golden Section or the Divine Porportion. This proportion is based on Phi (= 1.618033988749895... ). What it is, is simply the ratio of the line segments that result when a line is divided in one very special and unique way. You divide that line so that the ratio of the length of the entire line (A) to the length of larger line segment (B) is the same as the ratio of the length of the larger line segment (B) to the length of the smaller line segment (C). See diagram:



What this means is that there is a division of space that makes objects more appealing than others. Those objects are usually ones that are able to be divided with this Golden Section. This proportion is found in the solar system, plants, art and architecture, DNA and the human face. Those that are established as "beautiful" usually have this proportion represented on their face with respect to the distance from the ear to the eyes, the eyes to each other, the eyes to the nose, the nose to the mouth, etc. It is the underlying reason why people are considered beautiful or their bodies considered perfect. See how to measure it out. Create a ruler for yourself and see how your object of desire measures up.

It is all too known that the standard of beauty that was set was done so based on the European ideals of what beautiful is. With the history of slavery and the domination/occupation of some of the worlds most beautiful cultures by said people, it was taught/beat/forced into our heads that what we were was ugly. Sadly even with all the knowledge we possess today (and I mean we as in ALL people of color), there can be studies done on our children that still show the preference to the European standard of beauty. And as much as the standard as evolved to include the desire to have the curves and fullness in certain parts of the body that a majority of people of color have naturally, it is still very much centered around the old standards. This is an old debate that will probably never evolve to the point where I'll begin to see women who look like me be dubbed as the most beautiful women in the world.

Which is worse: The pressure to live up to the standard of beauty or The pressure to BE the standard of beauty? I don't think I would want to BE the standard. It would still be nice to be appreciated nonetheless.