“I realized that beauty was not a thing that I could acquire or consume, it was something that I just had to be. “
Wow.
That’s just one of several amazing quotes from Oscar winner Lupita Nyong’o’s most recent speech to go viral. While accepting the award for Best Breakthrough Performance at the recent Essence magazine awards luncheon in Hollywood, Lupita confesses she grew up wishing her skin was lighter, negotiating with God in the hopes that by becoming light-skinned, she would finally be considered beautiful.
The thing is, you don’t have to be black to be moved by this speech from Lupita Nyong’o. You just have to be female.
Here’s another standout quote:
“What is fundamentally beautiful is compassion for yourself and for those around you. That kind of beauty enflames the heart and enchants the soul.”
If you’ve ever wished you were thinner, or perhaps that your hair was less frizzy, or maybe you, too, grew up wishing you looked like anyone other than yourself, you will be moved by watching this incredible speech that is inspiring women all over the world, of all skin tones.
Watch with your daughters. Watch for yourself.
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