March 4th 2024.
Melissa Orijin will never forget the moment that left a lasting impact on her as a mother. It happened while she was out shopping for toys with her young daughter, Esi. As they perused the aisles, Esi's eyes lit up when she spotted a doll with blonde hair and fair skin. Melissa couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern, as she had always encouraged Esi to embrace her cultural heritage from Cabo Verde and Ghana in West Africa. But as Esi began to attend a new school where she was the only Black girl in her class, Melissa started to notice a change in her daughter's attitude towards her own appearance.
It was a heartbreaking blow for Melissa to see Esi starting to shy away from her beautiful skin tone and curly hair. As a mother, she had always made it a priority to instill a sense of pride in Esi for her identity and roots. And yet, here she was, watching her daughter struggle to fit in with her peers and feeling like she didn't belong. On top of that, Melissa couldn't even find a doll that looked like Esi, which only added to her daughter's diminished self-esteem.
Melissa knew she had to do something to help Esi feel more confident and comfortable in her own skin. She started to have conversations with her daughter about the importance of diversity and representation in the media and toys they played with. Together, they researched and found dolls that looked like Esi, with beautiful brown skin and curly hair. Melissa made sure to surround Esi with positive images and role models that reflected her own identity, and slowly but surely, she saw her daughter's confidence begin to bloom once again.
As Esi grew older, she never forgot the lesson her mother taught her about embracing her unique cultural background and being proud of who she was. And now, as a successful and confident young woman, Esi looks back on that moment in the toy store as a turning point in her journey towards self-love and acceptance. Thanks to her mother's unwavering support and guidance, Esi never had to feel like she didn't belong or that she needed to change to fit in. And that, Melissa will truly never forget.
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