PHILADELPHIA, PA - JULY 25: First lady Michelle Obama waves to the crowd before delivering remarks on the first day of the Democratic National Convention at the Wells Fargo Center, July 25, 2016 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Philadelphia, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Democratic National Convention kicked off July 25. (Image: Getty)
Michelle Obama joined Laverne Cox, Viola Davis and thousands of social media users in supporting a 4-year old who called herself ugly.
On March 5, Atlanta-based hair stylist Shabria posted a video, which has since gone viral, of an exchange with 4-year old Ariyonna as she styled her hair.
“I’m so ugly,” 4-year old Ariyonna said.
“Don’t say that! You are so pretty,” Shabria responded, continuing to give the girl compliments. “You have this beautiful chocolate skin … You are just so gorgeous.”
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“It broke my heart into pieces because she has the GREATEST energy and the most beautiful smile and heart!” Shabria wrote in the caption. “She comes from a great home & loving mother. I just think when kids go to school they learn and pick up sooo much different things that they don’t know the definition but they know the feeling!”
In an Instagram story, former First Lady Michelle Obama joined the thousands of people sending compliments and uplifting words Ariyonna’s way.
“Ariyonna, you are gorgeous. In a world that sometimes tries to say otherwise, I want to tell you — and every other beautiful, intelligent, brave black girl — just how precious you are” Obama wrote.
Other celebrities supporting the 4-year old girl include actresses Laverne Cox and Viola Davis.
“We are fighting hundreds of years of brutal conditioning of being considered less than,” Davis said, adding that “I’m speaking life into Ariyonna. From a sista who looks a lot like you….you were born worthy therefore you were born beautiful!”
Cox said she was “inspired by her words” and hopes to teach brown girls like her to see their beauty and worth.
“Inspired by her words I have said loving transness is a revolutionary act,” Cox said. “My trans politics are rooted in intersectional feminist politics taught to me by black women like bell hooks through her books. Teaching stunningly beautiful brown girls like this one to see her profound beauty and worth is our work. Let’s get busy.”
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