Every Skin Tone is Golden

What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think about the concept of beauty? You may envision your idea of society’s standards, but that visual will likely be different from the person next to you, and the person next to them. The reality is that the answer isn’t quite so simple, and has evolved frequently throughout the decades. As we have entered a new era of social change, the meaning of “pretty” has also been redefined. In 2020, beauty is diversity. The world is embracing and advocating for different body shapes, hair textures, and skin tones to represent women and people everywhere. We are living in an era that is promoting inclusivity for all, which is powerful in and of itself; the beauty industry is reflective of this. Part of the fight for diversity is the movement to defend people of different ethnicities. The media and the beauty industry have contributed to this movement by including individuals of different backgrounds to help combat racism and prejudice among various mediums.

Similar to a rainbow, humanity is wonderfully diversified. We find beauty in rainbows and their range of shades; each color is equally as important as the others because if one is missing, there is no glorious sight to behold. As fashion icon Michael Kors mentioned in a 2017 issue of Vogue: “What feels fresh and modern is a sense of surprise, like when you’re in the city, watching all kinds of people go by on the streets. What eye candy!” In that respect, every skin tone adds excitement and depth to our world. We no longer have to aspire to look a certain way to be considered physically worthy, but rather begin to embrace the skin we’re in.

As we establish that every skin tone is golden, we are moving closer to a representative society in its truest form. When we as a people begin to change our ideals, such as our beliefs of what beauty is, it can cause a ripple effect in other realms. Regardless of political beliefs, it is imperative to a peaceful world that we as people support the racial diversity that makes up our world.

Let’s make a change together. Get to know someone significantly different than you. Reflect on your idea of beauty, and take into consideration the ideals other people may have. We are stunning in our differences, no matter what skin tone, shape, or other physical features. We are all golden in our own right.

ASHLEY ALVARADO

YOUR DEFINING YEAR

Finding Individuality in the Age of Social Media

SAMHITA ANAPU

Well known is the phrase, “alone in a sea of people.” Whether it is said aloud or quietly held within you, the undeniable impact of loneliness, conformity, and collectivism can dramatically alter the path of finding your individuality. Coupled with the plethora of information on social media from the minute you wake up to the second you fall asleep, discovering yourself can be a daunting task. Whether we like it or not, social media has proven to be the world’s greatest invention. Revolutionary apps like Twitter, TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, and Snapchat have helped reunite families from across the world, find organ donors, and challenge deeply embedded societal stereotypes. However, these apps have also led to misinformation, exploitation of psychological vulnerabilities, and addiction. So, how do we—as stressridden college students—discover our niche in this vast world of incentivized social media addiction?

Initiate Open and Honest Conversations

Too often, people fail to realize that if they are not paying for a service, they are the service. Scary, we know. Social media companies are in constant competition for who can hold our attention for the longest, subtly asking their consumer, “How much of your life can we get you to give us?” Therefore, all of the services that are seemingly “free” are paid for with our attention. Every second we spend staring at a picture or video is more money in the bank for social media giants. Conversation is critical in inciting change, due to these unethical violations of privacy. Voicing your opinion on the business-like transactions of users’ attention spans (in some cases, through these very technologies), can help redirect the nature of the tide. Starting conversations with your friends, family, and neighbors also has the ability to clear the fog that is fact blended into fiction. Ultimately, finding your individuality doesn’t need to be a solo quest. Introducing yourself to various ideas and thought processes from others can help you dig below the surface level to develop a clear understanding of who you are outside of social media influence and learn about what really matters to you.

Uninstall, Unwind, Unplug

When creating the “like” button, Tristan Harris, a design ethicist at Google, explained that the driving force behind its inception was to spread positivity and love in the world. Now, social media users can’t help but compare the numbers of likes they get. As a result, consumers often spiral into black holes of self-doubt. Our mood and sense of self have become tethered to the never-ending buzz of notifications, so much so that we’ve lost sight of our true forms. Uninstalling unused apps from your phone, cleansing your device of social media apps, and silencing the notifications that can wait, will help you gain back autonomy over your social media presence. If you find yourself unintentionally reaching for your phone, you may want to rethink your social media usage. After all, “only two organizations call their customers ‘users’: illegal drugs and software.” -The Social Dilemma

Go the Extra Mile

The truth is, we all hear voices in our heads— unfortunately, it is often the case that the voices of fear, doubt, self-sabotage and judgment speak the loudest. We respond to these voices by conforming to stereotypes and relinquishing hold of our natural selves in order to fit in. To be truly authentic in the face of this detrimental habit, go the extra mile by actively seeking varying perspectives and types of information in your life until your identity is too firm to be stifled. Follow people on Twitter that you disagree with, just so you can be exposed to different points of view. Curious about something? Don’t just Google it once, but twice. Regarding tangible tips, the documentary The Social Dilemma recommends using Chrome extensions that remove recommendations. This will allow you to reclaim the necessary power to choose what you consume instead of letting your content be chosen for you.

Detach from the Illusion

On a frequent basis, we are also distracted with our desire to mimic the seemingly perfect. The photoshopped bodies, pearly white smiles, and picturesque landscapes that show up on our feeds work together to form a misleading illusion of “success” that is then heavily perpetuated by social media. We become so fixated on the idea of constructing the perfect Instagram feed that we skip over one key word: construct. The construction or curation of what we imagine others want to see is similar to putting up a facade so far off that we lose sight of our passions and identities. Focus on exposing yourself to things that interest you and push you to learn more about who you are and what your purpose is. Follow others to raise them up as opposed to bringing them down, and remember the difference between a highlight reel and reality. Instead of posting about the one wild night out on the town you had that you assumed would make you look “cool,” consider posting about the morning walk you took around the park, the painting you were finally able to finish, or even a snippet of your songwriting process. Try being the real you until it becomes unnatural to be anything but.

At the end of the day, it’s vital to remember you are not alone. You are human and these changes aren’t meant to take place overnight. Actively learning to be cognizant of the consequences before your next social media venture can help you pave your own path towards self-discovery. Always remember that the world is only made unique when we embrace our authentic selves. So, go on. Share your individuality.