In the midst of fans reveling over Miss South Africa being crowned Miss Universe, a powerful note on colorism penned by Zozibini Tunzi has resurfaced.
In September, Tunzi composed a classy clapback to people who like to speak negativity unto the melanated population.
"I just want to take a moment to dedicate a post to the unkind comments that I have been receiving about my blackness since my crowning. To comments that are aimed at all brown-skinned girls at some point in our lives. Not because it hurts me or gets under my skin, but because I see an opportunity to educate and speak out on a serious issue," the post, which followed her August victory being crowned Miss South Africa 2019, read.
"When people say hurtful, negative things about black women and black people in general I do not quickly take offense and here's why. Society has previously been programmed in such a way that there's nothing beautiful about being black. The furthest you are from being fair skinned the uglier you are. That unfortunately has been the universal standard of beauty and it is very difficult for some people to unlearn it," the post continued.
Tunzi, who was crowned Miss South Africa after not being selected in 2017, spoke her future into existence.
"I am going into Miss Universe with hopes to shatter whatever misconception and stereotypes people have of beauty," she proclaimed.
Miss South Africa concluded her post encouraging Black people to walk into spaces and rooms not initially meant for them with the intention of breaking pre-written notions.
"These comments are exactly why we should keep inserting ourselves in spaces where we have been told we do not belong and we will never make it. It is up to us re-write the narrative. To whoever else thinks that black is not beautiful I cannot wait for you to experience the depth and magic of a black woman. I am a daughter of the African soil and I am beautiful. See your face reflected in mine," Tunzi gracefully concluded her post.
Ari Lennox also found herself having to defend her Blackness on social media on Monday. The singer also took to Twitter to shut down critics of her appearance.
"How many times will y’all come for my black nose?" Lennox wrote. "It will never tf go anywhere. Y’all are disgusting and the reason people self medicate and get surgery. Just fuckin stop."
How many times will y’all come for my black nose? It will never tf go anywhere. Y’all are disgusting and the reason people self medicate and get surgery. Just fuckin stop
— Ari Lennox (@AriLennox) December 9, 2019
Replying to a picture of a woman who looks eerily like the singer, Lennox said, "Man Black noses are so beautiful."
Thanks I’m just saying black features should be off limits
— Ari Lennox (@AriLennox) December 9, 2019
The 28-year-old said negative comments about her Black features are hard to ignore and thinks criticism of "Black features should be off limits."
