There's a Little Bit of "Precious" In All of Us

If y'all haven't seen this movie go and see it--I repeat--GO AND SEE IT! I'm not going to lie, it was a tear-jerker and a bit depressing, but it shed light on a story that was untold to many. I'll try not to give away any spoilers, but dark-skinned, morbidly obese, Precious was a girl that suffered a lot of parental abuse. Her fantasies were the most intriguing part of the film; they were a form of escapism and covertly revealed the self shame Precious may have developed due to the abuse she suffered.

I want a light-skinned boyfriend.

I want to be skinny.
I want long hair.

These were some of the things Precious dreamed about. However, what irks me is that some of us sistahs have dreamed of some of these things and have not endured half as much as Precious. What does light skin represent in society? How many of us sistahs are bulimic or anorexic on the low? Have we waited for everyone to fall asleep only to gaze into our mirror and whisper, "Grow hair, grow?"

If there's a little bit of Precious inside you, HEAL HER! Tell her its okay to be as dark as midnight. All skin tones are beautiful. Show her healthier ways to lose weight and keep it off. Teach her patience and how to care for her natural hair and love it, no matter the length. Finally, show her some love; after all, she is Precious.