How gorgeous is this young woman?
I am a strong believer that beauty is everywhere and there is plenty
in each and every one of us.
Growing up in a predominantly (and when I say predominantly I mean 98%)
Caucasian town, beautiful = two things I was not. Thin (no curves) and blonde.
My perception of beauty was so skewed and I wondered when I would feel beautiful.
Girls made me feel self-conscious about my “kinky” hair, the way my body wasn’t
completely curve-less like theirs, my lips were full and countless other attributes
that made me me.
The only women of color considered beautiful were those of mixed background,
a sad notion that is still encouraged and believed by many.
Cut to college, I attended a massive university chock full of culture, people literally
from every nook of the earth. I was in heaven.
Suddenly I had a group of friends from all types of ethnic backgrounds and guys made
it clear that I was their definition of beautiful.
My point is – going through those years of ridicule did create insecurities that stuck
with me during what is considered the toughest years for a teen.
There are little girls and boys going through that very same experience today.
The beautiful daughter of one of my college friends came home and told
her mother a Caucasian girl at school told her she wouldn’t play with her because
of her skin color.
Where did she learn that? Most likely, at home.
My challenge for everyone is to embrace our differences and to spread a message
of acceptance rather than one of hate and division.
What were things like for you as a child?
P!nky
February 5, 2013What a great post, beauty comes in all cultures colors sizes and genders.
xoxo
Georgina Castellucci
February 6, 2013Agreed completely 🙂
Jamie
February 5, 2013Gorgeous.
Couture Carrie
February 5, 2013She is so gorgeous!
And what amazing skin!
xoxox,
CC
Miss Rachel M.
February 5, 2013I agree. One of the most beautiful elements of living in South Florida for me is the abundance of diversity. Everyone has a beautiful story and a beautiful self!
Let your beauty shine, ladies 🙂
Georgina Castellucci
February 6, 2013This comment is definitely my favorite – thanks Rachel!
Abigailsterling
February 5, 2013Great post – I love this! I was incredibly lucky enough to move around and grow up going to an international school in Vienna, near the UN, for about 5 years where I was one of 3 Americans. It was the best experience, enriched with so many different cultures and true acceptance. Beauty comes in all shapes and sizes and we should never forget that!!
xo Abigail
Georgina Castellucci
February 6, 2013I had no idea Abigail! Thank you for sharing that about yourself and I agree completely with your last statement xo
nicole s.
February 5, 2013this is such an important post! i grew up in a predominately latina community and always hated my pale skin and wanted to be able to shake my hips like my friends. it's all about our environment and about who tells us that we're beautiful as we already are. you are so stunning, Georgina, and i love reading all of your beautiful thoughts and words.
xo
writeslikeagirlblog.blogspot.com
Georgina Castellucci
February 6, 2013Thank you Nicole! You are perfect as you are, your skin is so beautiful as is your long blonde hair. It takes us a while to accept ourselves but once we reach that point it sure it wonderful!
Helene
February 5, 2013what a great post. and i think it is hard to grow up with people telling you to feel one way about beauty.
Georgina Castellucci
February 6, 2013It can be but in the end it makes you a stronger individual 🙂
Chandra
February 5, 2013i can relate with everything you said as we have a shared experience. and now that i'm older, it still amazes me how people still have this skewed way of thinking about beauty. if only we could all just embrace who we are and even more…accept and love our differences. my, how the world would be a different place! *great post*
Georgina Castellucci
February 6, 2013It is unfortunate but I hate that it does not surprise me (what does that say about everyone :-/ ?)
I agree completely Chandra and thank you for the bit of inspiration you provided xo
Therese
February 5, 2013But…those ladies were all models! Their beauty was fairly universal. Seriously, I don't think there is a racist in all of Alabama that would call any of them ugly. (Oh ignore me…they were beautiful…I'm just on a kick that flaws and fat and scars and disymmetry and all that should be embraced. Pardon the rant.)
Georgina Castellucci
February 6, 2013Somewhat? I still hear negative things about models of color all the time (in fact it was such a huge deal when designers began using more and more during their shows.)
I also did not want to post just random photos of women people may no easily identify (but you make an excellent point!) Unfortunately model or not, hate only sees the color of their skin, not their overt beauty.
Flaws, fat, scars and antisymmetry should most definitely be embraces and celebrated – you are completely right 🙂
Jodi
February 5, 2013It is so sad that young children learn to be racist so early on. I can only imagine how difficult it must have been to grow up in your town as a minority. My town was pretty much all white when I was growing up but happy to report it is more diverse these days. Diversity (in all areas – not just skin color is good). We can learn so much from each other!
Georgina Castellucci
February 6, 2013One thing I did not mention that is incredibly important is that racism occurs in ALL races/ethnicities. I do not want it to seem as though I am singling out just one.
My hometown is actually a bit more diverse now too!
Jersey Blogess
February 5, 2013she is absolutely beautiful!!!
Liz with the Lovely Life
February 6, 2013Beautiful post Georgina! Embrace your beauty girl!! For me it was (and unfortunately still is) being short (and 'cute') never tall, thin and beautiful.
Happy Tuesday!
-Liz
Faith
February 6, 2013What a beautiful post! I got goosebumps reading it.
I grew up in the city with lots of diversity and still I was teased because of my dark skin. It gets to you. Now that I'm an adult I regret relaxing my hair to conform to the idea of beauty. I wish that it wasn't this way. No one should have to feel less than because of the color of their skin.
And Beyonce was so right! What an amazing day for AA women :),
Follow the Ruels
February 6, 2013Its disgusting that parents are passing that attitude onto their children. Kids hold no prejudices until they learn them…from somewhere. Why can't adults be more like kids? What a beautifully written post. I wish more people would read it and learn something.
Blond Duck
February 6, 2013Her eyes are beautiful!
Bravoe Runway
February 6, 2013I grew up in a 98% Caucasian town as well and we had very few Asians, african Americans, and so forth. Just like you, I felt the same way.
Cafe Fashionista
February 6, 2013Who is that beauty in the purple jumpsuit? Stunning!
This is such a beautiful post, Georgina. I've always been a shorty, but I have no problem with my height – I'm happy, and that's all that matters! 🙂
Anonymous
February 6, 2013Hi there friends, its great paragraph regarding cultureand completely defined, keep it
up all the time.
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Always Maylee
February 6, 2013When I was growing up, my town had very few asians. Actually the college I went to, I was probably 1 of 5 asians. But I don't see people by color, if you have a great personality and you're a genuine person.. then I like you. I don't care about your race, gender, sex, or even how much money you have!
xo, Yi-chia
Always Maylee
Nicole @ The Girl Who Ate Boston
February 6, 2013This is a wonderful post.
Georgina Castellucci
February 7, 2013Thank you Nicole!
Rue Le Chat
February 8, 2013Your post has given me some ideas for future blog/journal entries. I had my share of insecurities about my appearance as a little girl. Luckily as I matured, I gained confidence and learned the true meaning of beauty. Thank you for sharing.
alaina isbouts
December 13, 2013YOU are beautiful. beauty isn't just one size, one color, or one cookie-cutter personality.
EmilyJane
December 13, 2013Its always interesting to me how other people have grown up. You being black mostly around white folks, me… white, mostly around black people (aside from my parents of course). Hate is taught and home and it's unfortunate that people choose to pass their judgments (all races and walks of life). When I was a teenager I always wished I was black because i'd get fun of for being white, all the cool girls were black, and were the girlfriends of all the hot sport guys and thugs… I grew up and learned that the world is a bigger place then just race and unfortunately there is nothing to be done about another persons hatred. All, each individual person can do is grow up and learn that they are just fine as they are, and that they are exactly who god made them to be (looks, race, personality) and to be unbelievably happy in their own skin.