‘Black Barbie’ comfortable in her skin

During periods of her childhood, Breanna Brown questioned the Almighty about the colour of her skin.

Speaking with THE STAR on Monday, the 21-year-old nail technician said that she faced harsh criticisms about her dark skin tone, and used to hope that she was lighter.

"I remember when I was in grade five or six, there was just this one boy who would pick on me every day and tell me how black and ugly I was. He would call me nasty names, and there were times that I would come home crying, and I would tell my mom that I was just not feeling well. I would sit and pray and question God and ask him why He made me look the way I did. I used to ask why I couldn't be a little lighter and have pretty eyes like others. I wanted the long hair, and so on, because I didn't like the bullying," Brown said.

But these days, Brown is having the last laugh as not only has she embraced her rich, dark skin, she is turning heads wherever she goes - in a good way. Often referred to as a 'black Barbie', a bubbly and high-spirited Brown said she is all about self-love.

"I had to sit by myself and realise that even though people would make negative comments about my skin tone, I would just have to accept my own body. I have learnt to embrace and love myself. There were times that I would feel out of place even with some of my friends, especially if people would compliment them and look at me funny. I have dated people who told me that I would look a lot better if I was shades lighter," she said.

"I learned to love how I look and appreciate the fact that I am unique in my own way; and I know that not everyone will find me beautiful, and I just have to accept that," Brown added.

As she joins the world in celebrating and observing Black History Month, the Portmore, St Catherine native said she is extremely proud of her race. She said that as a youngster, she had very little interest in the significance of the month, but learning about the history of the black race, she is super proud.

"This is really a good month for me because I love being black and I just love my skin. I am without a doubt a beautiful black woman, and now I get compliments all the time about how beautiful I am. I will never change my skin tone, and I love the fact that blacks are being celebrated. Our forefathers were strong beings and that's something worth celebrating over. Despite being slaves and facing loads of oppression, our race has managed to excel and are world rulers. I am overwhelmed," she said.