i think the issue with blackfishing is deeper than a lot of people think it is, especially for darker women.

imagine growing up shamed for your skin color almost daily, by friends, by family, even by people the same skintone as you. imagine the toll that takes on your self esteem. imagine being a child hearing that you’re too dark or being told that you cant take a joke when it upsets u

imagine never being able to truly accept a compliment without doubt because as a child you’ve had it instilled in you that your skintone, something that you cannot change, is ugly, that its unappealing. imagine having to hear that someone you like isnt romantically

interested in you simply because of your skin color, either because their parents dont want them bringing home a darker girl or because they just find them unattractive. now imagine going through all that for damn near your entire life just to see a non black person

capitalize on your skintone. to put your foundation shade on whenever they wanted to increase their likes and comments on social media. imagine going online and seeing someone get praise for something you were constantly bullied for.

imagine seeing someone casually apply and remove your skintone like its an article of clothing when you dont have that “privilege”. when you grew up struggling to love yourself and feel loved because of how people viewed your skintone.

thats the issue with “blackfishing”, at least for me. people who dont care to understand the pain that often comes with growing up darker can wear your skintone whenever they like for praise and attention, when you grew up criticized for it.