While the society continues to construct its own beauty standards, South Sudanese model Nyakim Gatwech is challenging the status quo with her midnight complexion, tantalizing gaze, and unwavering words of empowerment. But this gorgeous model’s journey towards self-confidence has been plagued by discrimination and criticism.
As per Huffington Post, the 24-year-old model’s name went abuzz for the first time when she shared a story of how an Uber driver offered her $ 10,000 to bleach her dark skin, clearly insinuating that she needed to be white. While most people would be enraged at this offer, the 24-year-old model laughed the situation off.
She took to Instagram to publicize her story on March 28, 2017.
“Why on earth would I ever bleach this beautiful melanin God [blessed] me with… You won’t believe the kind of questions I get and the kind of looks I get for having this skin.”
Ever since, Nyakim has been monikered as the “Queen of the Dark” and has proven until then that she alone owns the title through her fierce Instagram posts.
“I actually like the name there is nothing wrong with darkness and [being called a] queen is just Cherry on the top,” she said on an Instagram post dated July 6, 2017.
The queen is obviously enjoying her reign. As a queen, it is her duty to bring light and hope to her constituents. She added:
“Black is not a color of sadness or death or evil [it’s] just the way it has been portray for so many years. So I am the queen of the dark who bring light and love to those around me.”
Nyakim Gatwech admitted that self-love was not easy to claim, rather it was something that needed to be built over time. Growing up, she had received nasty remarks such as “You black as hell, take a shower.”
The derogatory remarks she received even made her consider bleaching herself “to avoid the dirty looks, the laughter, and for boys to find me attractive,” she admitted in an interview with Yahoo! Beauty.
But these moments of insecurity are behind her now. With a legion of followers on Instagram showering her complexion with appreciation, she continues to embrace her color.
Up until now, Nyakim continues to use Instagram, queennyakimofficial, as her weapon to fight the conventional standards of beauty with her glamorous photos that entail heartwarming messages to her followers. Additionally, she uses this tool to promote self-love and self-acceptance, some of the things the current generation is struggling to embrace.
In essence, she shared an advice to leave to younger black girls who may feel insecure about their skin. Just like the queen she already is, she assured:
“You are beautiful, you are unique, and there are people who love you just the way you are. They say the darker the cherry, the sweeter the juice. Embrace your darkness!”
What can you say about Nyakim’s response to getting bleached? Do you think other girls should look up to her for inspiration? Share your thoughts in the comments section below!
Source: Instagram Elitereaders
The post ‘Queen of the Dark’ Nyakim Gatwech refuses $ 10,000 offer to bleach her skin and embraces her own complexion appeared first on Showbiz Insider.
Post a Comment