Skin lightening is not only about 'looking cool'. It is speculative also to try to leave the impression that people who bleach their skin have a "poorer than most" self image.

When dark-skinned Blacks are trapped in desperation economically and/or emotionally as a result of systematic oppression, many options will be considered viable that would not appeal to those in a different set of circumstances. But even among those who have access to more material resources, many still yearn for their false idea of upward social acceptance. Among these are many who also bleach their skin.

The complicit white controlled media deluges the public with images that continually instill their ideal of the successful and beautiful Black person. The media usually portrays light-skin Blacks as positive and successful, and dark-skinned blacks as negative, unsuccessful and criminal. Often, the few dark-skin Blacks that have the opportunity to share a more positive image are required "for technical purposes" to use cosmetics to conceal their darker skin.

If some claim that they find light-skin ones to be more insecure (than the most insecure people on the planet, whites) because they do not know where they fit in, I still do not see them blackening up to fit in with dark-skin Blacks. As insecure as they may feel, they still know what shade gets the most advantages. Many light-skin ones also use "whitening techniques" to gain more privileges and opportunities.

Dark-skin Blacks are castigated the most for using skin lighteners because it is more obvious when they do so, and also, because it reminds many of a shame in the system. Many would like to pretend that the system is all fair and they dread having to face the reality that even dark-skin Blacks are aware that in this system ‘light makes right’.

Skin lightening is also the result of not properly addressing racism and colorism. Those who go for skin lightening are not necessarily more deranged than others. People resort to different self-debasing acts in hope of getting better economic opportunities and false upper social acceptance.

People need to deal with all of these issues, and not expect those who have a measure of power (influence/privilege) over others to voluntarily give way.

Conscious dark-skin Blacks do not want privileges, but it is important to be aware that dark-skin kinky-hair Blacks pay the most for the privileges that others are given. Dark-skin kinky-hair Blacks, like all others, have to inform themselves and also to take charge of representing themselves on all fronts as a means of correcting this injustice.

Realize - “Who feels it the most knows it the most.”

I am certainly not asking for permission for conscious dark-skin kinky-hair Blacks to take charge of the issues that systematically, negatively impacts us the most; I am simply informing others of OUR decision.