The Beautiful. Project - The Black Girl Triptych
Eyes
Hair
Dance
Artist's Statement
Sometimes events happen that are profound. Yet, we may not recognize the magnitude to which these events impacted us at the time. Sometimes we tuck things away, trying to forget for weeks, months, or years. Sometimes life provides us with opportunities to confront what we’ve tucked away.
Sometimes events happen that are profound. Yet, we may not recognize the magnitude of these events at the time. Sometimes it takes weeks, or months, or years before we recognize the extent to which we’ve been moved or the depth of our appreciation. One day we think, we look back, and we thank God.
When I look at Zebulah, I see a girl with large, penetrating brown eyes. I see a girl who presents herself with a calm, quiet grace – a grace that masks mischief and feistiness beneath the surface. I see the sun highlighting the curves of each delicate strand of hair. I see a girl with an infectious giggle and a disarming smile. I see a girl who is gloriously beautiful.
When I look at Zebulah, I also see a girl who is living in a world who may tell her otherwise.
Far too often, Black women are confronted with definitions of “beauty” that leave them thinking and feeling as if they are ‘almost,’ ‘not quite,’ or ‘some of the time.’ We are ‘almost’ thin enough, ‘not quite’ light enough, or only beautiful in certain contexts. We may not recognize the extent to which these images and messages can impact our self-esteem or create a need for us to compare ourselves to others. Sometimes we push those feelings aside and swallow those thoughts, but too often, these messages return to haunt us when we least expect it.
I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to participate in The Beautiful. Project. With each click of my camera, I created an image that challenged or questioned pervading notions of beauty. Playing my small part in working to reform the term “beautiful” to include women like me, and girls like Zebulah, was one of those profound moments when life provided me with an opportunity to confront what I’d previously tucked away. It is my hope that participation in The Beautiful. Project profoundly impacted Zebulah as well. I hope one day she will think, look back at these images of herself, and say “Thank God!” someone told me I am beautiful before the world was able to convince me otherwise.
Sometimes events happen that are profound. Yet, we may not recognize the magnitude of these events at the time. Sometimes it takes weeks, or months, or years before we recognize the extent to which we’ve been moved or the depth of our appreciation. One day we think, we look back, and we thank God.
When I look at Zebulah, I see a girl with large, penetrating brown eyes. I see a girl who presents herself with a calm, quiet grace – a grace that masks mischief and feistiness beneath the surface. I see the sun highlighting the curves of each delicate strand of hair. I see a girl with an infectious giggle and a disarming smile. I see a girl who is gloriously beautiful.
When I look at Zebulah, I also see a girl who is living in a world who may tell her otherwise.
Far too often, Black women are confronted with definitions of “beauty” that leave them thinking and feeling as if they are ‘almost,’ ‘not quite,’ or ‘some of the time.’ We are ‘almost’ thin enough, ‘not quite’ light enough, or only beautiful in certain contexts. We may not recognize the extent to which these images and messages can impact our self-esteem or create a need for us to compare ourselves to others. Sometimes we push those feelings aside and swallow those thoughts, but too often, these messages return to haunt us when we least expect it.
I am extremely thankful for the opportunity to participate in The Beautiful. Project. With each click of my camera, I created an image that challenged or questioned pervading notions of beauty. Playing my small part in working to reform the term “beautiful” to include women like me, and girls like Zebulah, was one of those profound moments when life provided me with an opportunity to confront what I’d previously tucked away. It is my hope that participation in The Beautiful. Project profoundly impacted Zebulah as well. I hope one day she will think, look back at these images of herself, and say “Thank God!” someone told me I am beautiful before the world was able to convince me otherwise.
This series of portraits was featured in The Beautiful. Project's A Beautiful Night in April 2011. The Beautiful. Project is a non-profit in Durham, NC that works to teach young African American girls about self-esteem through photography and interactive workshops. For more information about The Beautiful. Project, see the "Links" page.
