By Asma’u Yusuf, the teacher with the loud voice
Let’s get one thing straight: melanin is magic. Yes, magic. The rich, golden, deep, chocolaty, caramel, ebony magic in your skin tells a story of ancestors, resilience, and beauty that no filter can ever copy.
Yet, somehow, many of us have been taught — subtly, quietly, or even loudly — that lighter skin is somehow better, smarter, or more lovable. This, my friends, is colourism. And it’s as old as the colonial textbooks, but it’s not part of the magic.
Why colourism is a problem
Colourism whispers lies. It tells teens:
“You’d be prettier if your skin were lighter.”
“You’d get more attention, more likes, or more friends if only…”
“Dark skin is tough, harsh, or too much.”
And teens, let’s be honest: these whispers can get inside your head, especially in school or online. They make you compare yourself to your friends, classmates, and celebrities, instead of celebrating yourself.
But here’s the truth — your skin is not a flaw. It’s your crown.
The science of skin and strength
Did you know darker skin actually has more melanin, which protects you from sun damage? And every shade of brown has UV superpowers that lighter skin doesn’t?
Beyond biology, your skin carries culture, heritage, and history. Every time someone tries to belittle your shade, they’re really trying to diminish the story your ancestors wrote.
Humour helps, but so does truth
You know those TikToks where someone dramatically says, “I’m so pale I might just vanish”?
Or that friend who’s always hunting for skin-whitening products while praising the “light-skinned” gang?
Yeah, we’ve all laughed. But beneath the giggles is a reminder: society still thinks lighter = better.
Here’s the playfully serious solution: flip the script.
Celebrate your skin in ways so loud, so confident, that nobody forgets it. Wear bold colours, love your undertone, rock your natural hair, and remind the world that melanin is prime real estate.
Identity beyond colour
Colourism isn’t just about skin. It’s about identity, confidence, and belonging. It asks teens to rank their self-worth according to the scales of someone else’s imagination.
The antidote? Pride. Self-love. Knowledge of your roots.
Know the stories of your grandparents, your tribe, your city, your country.
Know that your beauty, intelligence, and creativity aren’t skin-deep — they radiate from your mind, heart, and spirit.
Empathy is strength
One of the most overlooked lessons of colourism is empathy. The teens who learn to lift others up, regardless of shade, grow stronger themselves.
Compliment a friend’s natural hair.
Celebrate a classmate’s unique features.
Speak out when someone uses skin as a measurement of worth.
Being proud of your skin doesn’t mean shaming others. It means holding your head high and cheering on everyone’s glow.
Challenge of the month: #melaninmagic
Try one of these:
– Take a photo of your favourite feature on your skin, and write a short note about why you love it.
– Interview an elder about beauty, pride, or identity in their youth.
– Post a positive story celebrating natural skin tones in your school or online.
Let’s flood timelines, lockers, and classrooms with pride — not pressure.
Book nook: Celebrating skin, culture, and identity
- The Deep by Rivers Solomon – A story of memory, heritage, and reclaiming power.
- Butterfly Fish by Ibi Zoboi – Teens navigating identity and belonging in a multicultural world.
- Skin of the Sea by Natasha Bowen – Myth, magic, and African identity intertwined.
- Black Boy by Richard Wright (African American context, relatable for teens) – Understanding identity, struggle, and self-discovery.
- African Princesses and Modern Queens (Anthology) – Stories of young African women proud of their heritage, power, and skin.
Final word — from the teacher with the loud voice
Your skin is art. Your heritage is a masterpiece. Your story is worth telling loud and proud.
Colourism may try to make you doubt yourself. Social media may push filters and insecurities. But the loudest, truest voice in your life should be yours — declaring that your shade, your culture, your identity, and your creativity are extraordinary.
So teens, next time someone whispers, “lighter would be better,” whisper back, smile, and say:
“No, this magic is enough. This magic is me.”