It took a long time to learn to love myself. When I did learn to love and accept myself for everything that I am, I realized this would be one of my greatest accomplishments in life.

When I look in the mirror, I see a beautiful brown skinned woman, who once found it hard to call her skin beautiful. It was hard to love me, beautiful brown skinned me, when I was convinced the world thought lighter was better. It was hard to love my hair, my beautiful 4C kinky textured hair, when growing up wearing my God given hair was viewed as unprofessional or untamed. Only the sisters could understand. Today I embrace my melanin and I embrace my kinky curls. I am proud of the efforts made by my brothers and sisters, the ones now and before me, to be accepted for our naturalness. It took a long time for me to learn to love myself the way I do today.

-Jasmine McGary