Picture this. It’s 2026. You’re a Black woman who is talented in all the ways. You can sing. You can dance. You can act. In other words, you’re blessing the world with your gifts via art and spreading much needed joy, beauty, and light in dark times. You post a video of yourself on social media, smiling and laughing, with skin glowing, and teeth pearly white, while on vacation. And you get criticized because you’re seen not wearing makeup, in the middle of the ocean, while living your best life.
Sounds like a nightmare, right? Well, it’s currently 12:34 AM in NYC as I write this, and it’s legitimately keeping me up at night. Because this isn’t just a dream or some weird horror flick—it’s a reality. Chloe Bailey is literally going viral this week—not for her talents or gifts. But because people were mad she was seen carefree, barefaced, and happy?
And let’s not get it twisted. Even if she wasn’t successful, objectively beautiful, and talented, this would still be egregious behavior, as bullying is never okay. Either which way—it still begs the same question: What do you want from Black women?
Maybe you’re thinking, ‘it’s really not that deep,’ as you read this. But, after a certain point, it really is. We live in a time where Black bodies are disappearing (which is sadly nothing new) and Black joy is constantly under attack. We don’t have time to waste on hating on a Black woman for simply smiling and laughing with the natural face that God gave her. I love that she clapped back at those who had something negative to say. But the fact that she even had to at all for this, is wild to me.
We’re constantly told we have to work twice as hard as everyone else to be taken seriously, to be successful, and to be deserving of the “soft life.” But even when we play by these antiquated rules, we’re still torn down, and sometimes even by our own–like in this situation—when we get our slices of heaven.
We’re picked apart for being “too boring” if we’re all bundled up, or too salacious if we show a little skin. We are torn down when we rock our natural hair, or when we rock extensions. We’re told to “smile, baby,” when we’re walking down the street, or that, in this case, “we’re showing too many teeth,” when we feel genuine joy. Why can’t we just feel what we feel and that be okay? Why are we forced to do anything that isn’t authentic to us? Why do we feel so entitled to how Black women naturally express themselves?
You say you want a woman with a natural body and face. And then when she has one, it’s a problem. We’re talked down on when we’re wearing too much makeup. But also for not wearing enough. I can guarantee if she had had a full face of makeup on in the middle of the ocean, people would’ve tried to dissect that, too. At the end of the day, either way, it’s not hurting you… so why spend time on it? Use that time instead to find your own peace and lit-from-within glow that she so effortlessly embodies.
Of course, these are all hypothetical questions. I know the answers. Racism. Internalized racism. Misogynoir. Miserable folks who hate seeing anyone truly happy and at peace. I can go on and on. But, when does it stop? When do we finally start celebrating the fact that some of these moments are our ancestors’ wildest dreams? When will it be enough?
Below are a few of the many times Chloe Bailey looked stunning with and without makeup.
Author: Akili King
Read the original article on Essence.
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