It seems like we are not the only ones weary of all gender-related stereotypes and social norms standing in the way of our happiness.
Grammy award-winning singer, Alicia Keyes stunned the world when she announced her decision to stop wearing makeup last spring (2016), recently announcing that it was all an effort to liberate both males and females from the pressure of beauty standards.
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In an interview with Allure magazine, the singer expressed her disapproval on how society has indoctrinated us to find gender-related stereotypes as normal.
“One of the big ones is that I was so sick of the way women were forced to feel inadequate in many different circumstances or forced to feel insecure by the way we’re portrayed or the way we look.
“Another one: I am so annoyed at the way we force boys to be fake strong – ‘Don’t cry, don’t be soft’. Let a boy be able to dance! Let a boy paint his nails… Who cares! All these strange, oppressive ideas.”
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The Girl on Fire singer broke some of Hollywood’s unspoken rules by walking several high-profile events, such as the BET Awards and the MTV Video Music Awards, without any makeup on, but revealed that she hasn’t completely deserted her cosmetics.
“I’m not a slave to makeup,” she declared. “I’m not a slave to not wearing makeup either. I get to choose at (any) given moment. That’s my right. I am all about a woman’s right to choose.
“I think a woman should do anything she wants as it relates to her face, her body, her health. Whatever mode of expression that empowers you, that’s what you should do. What I am not down for is this ridiculously high, unrealistic expectation about appearance that we as women are held to.”
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Stressing her stance on cosmetic freedom, Alicia concludes: “I think makeup can be self-expression. I have no intention to shame anyone at all (who chooses to wear it). No one should be ashamed by the way you choose to express yourself. And that’s exactly the point. However, if you want to do that for yourself, you should do that.”
Now those are some real inspiring words from a brave singer’s heart!
Picture credit: E!
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T.Nkabinde
