If you’ve ever watched the way a viral topic moves through timelines like #BlackBoysBreakTheInternet, or the popular #Blackout tag that pops up every month, you may notice how other underrepresented communities will join in on the fun and contribute their stories or experiences as well.

Seeing that there was a need for a hashtag that was inclusive of all people of color, @TheMelaninPlug created another trending hashtag that would allow all black, yellow, brown and everything in between folks to voice their transgressions and tribulations of what it feels like #GrowingUpWithBrownSkin.

Heres a hashtag that I thought of called #GrowingUpWithBrownSkin . That way, no PoC is left out. Tweet your experiences! Negative & positive

— #BRONZE (@TheMelaninPlug) June 13, 2016

Maybe you can relate to some of these real experiences:

1. When you know the phrase “ashes to ashes, dust to dust” took new meaning when you had no lotion to save you from this sin.

#GrowingUpWithBrownSkin Sneak lickin these pic.twitter.com/ILMH6TGPbq

— Λmïn (@uhmeen) June 13, 2016

2. When your squad isn’t in the vicinity to help you attack racism when you need them most.

When the teacher says somethin racist, u look around 4 backup, but all ur classmates r white #GrowingUpWithBrownSkin pic.twitter.com/bJGxqX7hwh

— Marcus (@MarcusMEAddict) June 13, 2016

3. When you first recognized white privilege.

When you see other kids of different races disrespecting their parents & you’re just like #GrowingUpWithBrownSkin pic.twitter.com/SYNpxq4Okf

— Nikki D. On The Beat (@AFENikkiD) June 13, 2016

4. When you realize that THAT privilege is going to repeat itself time and time again.

#growingupwithbrownskin and having to understand at a young age that you have to work ten times harder than your pale counterpart to succeed

— Boqorad (@riyaanxx) June 13, 2016

5. That moment when someone tells you to go back to your country, yet you and your ancestors built it.

#growingupwithbrownskin Being told to go back 2 ur country by a bunch of white ppl, who stole this land from brown ppl, & stole browner ppl

— El Broo-hoe (@golpezurdo) June 13, 2016

#GrowingUpWithBrownSkin

Having strangers insist I have to go back to my country even though I’m a US citizen

— Yanimiku (@thewobbleeffect) June 13, 2016

6. When you start learning more about who you are and your love of yourself and your people grows exponentially.

#GrowingUpWithBrownSkin Slowly but surely beginning to love yourself and love your culture

— 1-800-WOKE-AF (@gloed_up) June 13, 2016

7. When you can flaunt it because you just got it like that.

#GrowingUpWithBrownSkin
Watching white people pay for the same hair, skin color, & lips, they made fun of you for. pic.twitter.com/CCTINXYUcn

— wolfie (@efurudrews) June 13, 2016

8. The face you make when met with illogical ideas, questions and comments about your race.

“Do black people get sun burn?”
“You talk white”
“You’re not like other black people”
#GrowingUpWithBrownSkin pic.twitter.com/Pxv2omEuVH

— T-Nasty (@_TanasiaYaBish) June 13, 2016

9. You know #GrowingUpWithBrownSkin is when life’s greatest discoveries or hidden treasure were found in this container.

Never knowing what’s inside this container #GrowingUpWithBrownSkin pic.twitter.com/MZFDZyvn3X

— CHOCO ✊ (@mt_tooreal) June 13, 2016

10. When sometimes it’s best to just walk away and ignore the ignorance than entertain it with a response.

“You have good hair”
“But you’re not really black”
“You don’t act like them”#GrowingUpWithBrownSkin pic.twitter.com/Wq40VUOIUJ

— Mami®++ (@Mami_Fenty) June 13, 2016

11. When finding that correct shade is always the infinite struggle.

#GrowingUpWithBrownSkin not having make up that matches your tone but notice there are 35653147843 shades of white pic.twitter.com/xdDCUYAx9T

— kat . (@kimsteahyung) June 13, 2016

12. When Momma put you on game early on and let you know to never dim your light.

#GrowingUpWithBrownSkin Mama said don’t let anybody tell you “you ain’t beautiful”. Been unbothered ever since. pic.twitter.com/p93r3Orp6D

— Simone Alexa (@SimoneAlexa) June 13, 2016

13. When you know that no matter what, you love exactly who you are, fearfully and wonderfully made.

#GrowingUpWithBrownSkin you know….being beautiful af pic.twitter.com/NoP62fImMi

— Cocky McBastard, Esq (@gotdamnmonster) June 13, 2016

What is it like for you #GrowingUpWithBrownSkin? Share some of your experiences in the comments below.

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