I've always been a glamorous mum and I still am. This is part of my identity and I'm not changing it for anyone. If people have a problem that's their problem not mine. I look good for me not anyone else. When you look good, you feel good. And when other women judge you this says more about them then you.
I can totally relate to this negative racist narrative. As a Māori woman living in New Zealand, I have had comments said to me such as, "You're quite attractive for a Māori" or "You don't speak like a Māori- you sound educated". I get tired of listening to such ignorant comments. I can also remember as a teenager wanting to white wash myself because I got tired of all the negative comments made by people I knew, teachers and even strangers. One secondary school teacher said, "Oh you'll never amount to much. You'll leave school early, go on the dole (benefit), get pregnant and join a gang". Prior to this time, I was in extension classes for everything. It took me years to get over comments like this and they had a real impact on my self esteem and confidence. I am reminded of the rhyme we used to say as kids, "Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me". Unfortunately, when you're a kid- words do hurt and they stay with you a long time. Fortunately, I was able to write about my experiences of racism and unpack these as part of my PhD which was really cathartic.