When we hear the term "exotic beauty" several images begin to form in our mind. Usually they are full lips, tanned skin, dark, wavy hair, and eyes cat like or almond like in shape. Mind you these are not words that I comprised, no, I read that this is what people perceive to be "exotic".
A bit of a lesson shall we~
Exotic definition according to Merriam Webster~ strikingly,mysteriouly different or unusual.
Beauty definition according to Merriam Webster~ a particularly graceful, ornamental, or excellent quality
Sounds very lovely to be called that doesn't it? I thought so too, until I did a bit of research on the term. Come to find out that some psychologists think it's a microaggression. Microaggression "Simply stated, microaggressions are brief, everyday exchanges that send denigrating messages to people of color because they belong to a racial minority group. These exchanges are so pervasive and automatic in daily interactions that they are often dismissed and glossed over as being innocuous" ~Psychology today.
Well...is being an exotic beauty a good thing then? I did futher reseach and came across this article from Ezine~
"As a psychologist, I am going to offer a more subconscious definition of exotic beauty that taps into the collective consciousness of universal beauty that most humans share that involves our basic instincts of mating and attraction. An exotic beauty is a woman who arouses and stimulates the raw, unconditioned, natural base of human sexuality. When you think of an exotic beauty you probably don't think of a woman with perfect eye shadow, lipstick and blush wearing a beautiful dress and designer high heel shoes. If you take a quick moment to think about an exotic beauty what will probably come to mind is a woman that society has trained you to think of as being overweight, unattractive and far from what most Americans think of as being representative of classic beauty.
The exotically beautiful woman who comes to mind is probably naked, with dark long, flowing hair, brown skin, voluptuous breasts and nipples that advertises nourishment to a baby and comfort to her lover; round, generous hips, buttocks and thighs that cushions and envelops her man; and soft full lips that beg to be kissed. Exotic beauty is sexy and enticing without clothes and shoes and it surpasses cultural expectations and standards of beauty. Many people are usually embarrassed by their attraction to women who exhibit exotic beauty because they have been conditioned to find their beauty source in products and mainstream media propaganda ~Cassandra George Sturges
Two very different views of what exotic beauty is, both from psychologists. Hm....
It just reminds me how all of us only have to see with our own eyes and only have our perspective.
I think I will take being called an "exotic beauty" in the context I believe it was given, which was always complimentary.
Besides I keep some very good company. For example,Rochelle Aytes, Michael Michelle, and K.D Aubert. If you don't know these women, give them a look and I'm sure you would be happy to be called an "exotic beauty" as well.
Namaste
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