‘I’ve seen the privilege that light skin has accorded others,’

TV journalist, Yvonne Okwara has become the latest celebrity to call out colorism in Kenya.

Lupita Nyong’o, once talked about how she would feel discriminated in her own country because of the color of her skin.

In a long post, Okwara decided to take a closer look back home where she dissected one of the problems that has led many young people astray.

Okwara detailed how our society has always made us think that having a lighter skin, equals success, beautiful family and hence more success.

She reminded everyone who’s attention has been turned to the black lives matter movement, to first reflect on our very own African culture.

She wrote :

We are all talking about black lives matter. But we also need to reflect on our own culture in this part of the world. Colourism. Darker skinned girls and women are treated differently. We have to work twice as hard, be twice as smart to get ahead, because, what else do we have going for us, right? Because, inadvertently or otherwise this is the standard that has been set: light skin= beauty= opportunity= work = wealth= good marriage = beautiful children It is these attitudes that have fueled the skin lightening industry , where girls just get tired of fighting the stereotype, of proving themselves, of starting from a disadvantaged position, and so give in to the craze.

She added,

 

We may all like to focus elsewhere, but charity begins at home. Before you stand up for the BLM movement, before you judge men and women for lightening their skin, telling them to love their skin, why not examine what got us here and how we got here?

The Citizen anchor also narrated how she has been made to work twice harder thanks to her skin color in order to reach greater heights.

On a personal note, it’s not been easy for me. Especially in this industry, I’ve seen the privilege that light skin has accorded others. I’ve seen them get away with murder, when I’ve been held to a higher standard. I’ve been expected to be smarter because, “you don’t have the looks so you’ve got to use your brain instead” It hasn’t been easy,
It’s exhausting at times, but it’s also rewarding. But it needs to change.