Citizen TV news anchor, Yvonne Okwara, has revealed how light skinned women get preferential treatment as she narrates her struggles in the media industry.
The seasoned media personality stated that she has seen some light skinned women get away with murder because of their looks.
The celebrated news anchor said that dark skinned women like her are forced to work extra hard to get the opportunities light-skinned women get without breaking a sweat.
Yvonne said this while weighing in on the recent Black Lives Matter demonstrations world over sparked by the murder of George Floyd by a white police officer in US.
Read her post below.
“We are all talking about black lives matter.
“But we also need to reflect on our own culture in this part of the world.
“Colourism. Darker skinned girls and women are treated differently.
“We have to work twice as hard, be twice as smart to get ahead, because, what else do we have going for us, right?
“Because, inadvertently or otherwise this is the standard that has been set: light skin= beauty= opportunity= work = wealth= good marriage = beautiful children It is these attitudes that have fueled the skin lightening industry , where girls just get tired of fighting the stereotype, of proving themselves, of starting from a disadvantaged position, and so give in to the craze.
“We may all like to focus elsewhere, but charity begins at home.
“Before you stand up for the BLM movement, before you judge men and women for lightening their skin, telling them to love their skin, why not examine what got us here and how we got here? On a personal note, it’s not been easy for me.
“Especially in this industry, I’ve seen the privilege that light skin has accorded others.
“I’ve seen them get away with murder, when I’ve been held to a higher standard.
“I’ve been expected to be smarter because, “you don’t have the looks so you’ve got to use your brain instead” It hasn’t been easy, It’s exhausting at times, but it’s also rewarding.
“But it needs to change.”
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