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The Importance Of Teaching Kids That Beauty Comes In Every Shade
Rebecca Manari is the author of Brown Like Dosas, Samosas, And Sticky Chikki. The mom, teacher, and author wants to help children around the world feel beautiful in their own skin, whatever shade that might be.
Rebecca told Buzzfeed Life that “young people are pressured to fit into an extremely unreasonable and rigid notion of what beauty is.” That was the source of inspiration for her children’s book. She said that in India, particularly, children feel the need to conform to beauty standards the older they get.
She explained how skin complexion goes hand in hand with the idea of beauty in India.
“One of these strange ideas is that only fair skin can be beautiful. You cannot watch a single TV show in India without being bombarded with advertisements for skin creams that lighten your skin,” Rebecca says. “It is absurd that in a country where some people are a pale white and some as dark as chocolate and every beautiful shade in between, we still stick to the idea that only fair is lovely.”
The children's book Brown Like Dosas, Samosas, And Sticky Chikki is about a little girl named Samaira who loves colours. One day, Samaira receives a jar full of light. When she opens the lid, she is transported into a brand-new world. She meets Anahi, a purple girl who offers to lighten Samaira’s chocolate-hued skin in exchange for the jar. The story then follows Samaira on her journey of self-acceptance and confidence.
Photo Credit: Facebook
Image source:Facebook
“The idea was, of course, to make the child see all shades of brown as pretty, lovely and positive things that they love, things they can relate to, and things that are delicious!” says Rebecca.
Since her book has taken the spotlight, Rebecca has received an overwhelming positive response.
Photo Credit: Facebook
“Being the crybaby that I am, I am moved to tears with every bit of feedback I receive, especially when it comes straight from the heart of a child," says Rebecca. "The most recent moving response is of a gentleman I know, who bought the book for his friend’s daughter because she was being teased at school because of her looks.”
Rebecca stresses the importance of parents exposing their children to diversity — whether it be in the form of books, movies or other media.
Photo Credit: Facebook
It's important that parents don’t give in to stereotypical ideas of what a “perfect face or a perfect body" is, and talking to children when these kinds of issues arise will help parents understand where their children stand on beauty.
"Something that is completely natural and forever present in you; and requires no trying, no teaching, nothing external, no alteration," says Rebecca. "Every face looks beautiful when it is lit up with a happy smile. A crooked tooth, wrinkled skin, or laugh lines couldn’t ever take away from your beauty. A smile comes very easily to anybody. And the best part? It costs nothing!”
Photo Credit: Rebecca Manari Facebook
Main Image Photo Credit: Rebecca Manari Facebook
Nomaan Khan
Author
After spending some time in a completely different field, Nomaan decided to drop it all and switch to Mohawk College to pursue his longtime interest in the world of Journalism. His experience working in multimedia platforms has helped him develop exceptional skills in thinking on his feet, being ...
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