Melanin is a natural skin pigment. Melanin is a molecule that functions as the body's built-in UV protection. Everyone, regardless of skin tone, has melanin molecules in our skin. In fact, hair, skin, and eye colour in people and animals, mostly depends on the type and amount of melanin they have.
Special skin cells called melanocytes make melanin. Melanin is a type of complex pigment that, in humans, is responsible for producing the pigmentation in our hair, skin, and eyes.
Embrace Melanin. Support skin positivity. Share #EmbraceShades
The celebration of diversity should extend far beyond designated months, transcending the confines of Black History Month. Melanin, the pigment responsible for skin, hair, and eye colour, is a beautiful and integral part of human diversity. However, the bias against highly melanated individuals, known as melanophobia, has pervasive effects, systematically sidelining their histories and contributions while perpetuating inequalities in schools and organisations.
Understanding Melanophobia: Melanophobia, often subtle and insidious, is a form of bias rooted in the fear or dislike of highly melanated individuals. This bias permeates society, shaping attitudes, decision-making processes, and perpetuating stereotypes. The consequences of melanophobia can be severe, affecting educational opportunities, career advancement, and overall quality of life for those who are highly melanated.
The Systematic Erasure of Histories: One of the distressing outcomes of melanophobia is the systematic erasure of the rich histories of highly melanated communities. From ancient civilizations to modern contributions, these histories have often been sidelined or overlooked, perpetuating a distorted narrative that undermines the immense influence and achievements of highly melanated individuals throughout history.
Contributions Overlooked and Undervalued: In schools and workplaces, the bias against melanin can lead to the systematic undervaluation and underrecognition of the contributions of highly melanated individuals. From scientific breakthroughs to cultural innovations, the impact of individuals with highly melanated skin tones has been immense, yet these contributions are often overshadowed or dismissed.
Confronting Melanophobia: Confronting melanophobia requires a collective effort to challenge biases and foster a culture of inclusivity. Schools must integrate diverse perspectives into their curricula, ensuring that all students see themselves reflected in the lessons they learn. Organisations should actively work to dismantle biases in hiring, promotion, and everyday interactions, fostering an environment where talent is recognised regardless of skin colour.
Promoting Diversity and Inclusion: Celebrating melanin and promoting diversity involves acknowledging and appreciating the unique qualities of each individual, irrespective of their melanin levels. Beyond token gestures, schools and organisations should implement robust diversity and inclusion initiatives that go beyond rhetoric, actively fostering environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued.
Taking Action Against Melanophobia: Individuals can play a crucial role in challenging melanophobia by actively engaging in conversations about bias, privilege, and inclusion. Educate yourself and others about the diverse histories and contributions of highly melanated individuals. Support initiatives that amplify melanin celebration and advocate for policies that address systemic biases in schools and workplaces.
Conclusion: A United Stand Against Melanophobia: As we celebrate melanin, we must also acknowledge the challenges faced by highly melanated individuals due to bias and systemic inequalities. It is a collective responsibility to dismantle the structures that perpetuate melanophobia, ensuring that every individual, regardless of their skin colour, is afforded equal opportunities and recognition. Let us stand united in saying no to melanophobia, fostering a society that celebrates the beauty of diversity in all its forms throughout the year.
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To embrace something means to accept something enthusiastically. If you embrace a change, political system, or idea, you accept it and start supporting it or believing in it. If something embraces a group of people, things, or ideas, it includes them in a larger group or category.
All of the above applies to embracing melanin!
But what is melanin? I hear you ask...
Melanin is a natural skin pigment.
Melanin is a molecule that functions as the body's built-in UV protection. Everyone, regardless of skin tone, has melanin molecules in our skin. Hair, skin, and eye colour in people and animals mostly depends on the type and amount of melanin they have. Special skin cells called melanocytes make melanin. Melanin is a type of complex pigment that, in humans, is responsible for producing the pigmentation in our hair, skin, and eyes.
Everyone has the same number of melanocytes, but some people make more melanin than others. If those cells make just a little bit of melanin, your hair, skin and the iris of your eyes can be very light. If your cells make more, then your hair, skin, and eyes will be darker.
So now, we can piece both words together to create Embrace Melanin. The simple idea of accepting, supporting and including people with melanin-rich skin.
You will may ask why this is necessary? Well, simply put, some people in society have negative attitudes and behaviours towards people just because they have an abundance of melanin in their skin. People who have melanin-rich skin may be called Black, people of colour, BME, BAME, and perhaps other categories you have heard of. Generally, race and ethnicity is a protected characteristic due to the known prejudice and discrimination against people in this group.
There is also a behaviour and practice called colourism or shadeism whereby people with lots of melanin in their skin are treated worse than those with less melanin in their skin. They may not be given opportunities to thrive, have less access to leadership positions, have a lack of positive narratives portrayed in society, erased, denied or ignored contributions and history, and not have regular provisions suited to them that those with less melanin in their skin have. i.e. inadequate lighting on photos or in media, nude skin coloured items that do not match their skin colour, and other everyday micro and macro aggressions which reduce the sense of belonging for highly melanated people. It is difficult to account for this in the modern age, but it is a real and present problem.
#EmbraceShades
Browse and support #EmbraceShades and Embrace Melanin
Embrace Shades Lanyards and badges
Embrace Shades social media templates
Browse and support #EmbraceShades and Embrace Melanin
Embrace Shades Lanyards and badges
Embrace Shades social media templates
Embrace Melanin. Support skin positivity. Share #EmbraceShades
Browse and support #EmbraceShades and Embrace Melanin
Embrace Shades Lanyards and badges
Tube Videos on Colourism to understand the importance of MELA and Embracing Melanin to create a better, safer society:
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