Physicality And Relationships | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Politics and Activism

Physicality And Relationships

Understanding that people are more than their physical appearance

123
Physicality And Relationships
Emile Turner

I often forget that I have a richer pigment in my skin tone than most, and likewise, I forget that others have more or don’t. Yet, often times when I went out with someone, they would say,” I’ve never been with a brown girl before.”

Now at first I thought this was an innocent comment, which in certain ways it is. Although when I got older, I started to question it. Why do you need to tell me? If I was another skin tone, would you say something else along those lines? Am I so vastly different than every girl that you know simply because of my skin tone?

I never knew how to respond to those comments because they weren't said maliciously, but they were odd. It pointed to the fact that I was being categorized by my skin tone and it was an interesting moment when I realized this. For a romantic partner, you want someone to see you for more than just what you look like. When I get these comments and others like them, I am just reduced to what I look like. I’ve come to realize that everyone innately processes each others physicality, but people are more than their appearance. However, this is an opinion not recognized by everyone, and a whole list of stereotypes are associated with your physicality.

The people who make these comments, whether they realize it or not, see me physically, and they associate me with a different 'type' of person, and the stereotypes that come with that 'type.' I have found that the most meaningful relationships that I’ve made, are ones where these comments were not made. These are the relationships where I am seen for more than my skin tone or ethnicity.

There is a part of me that realizes that these comments are innocuous, but another part of me realizes that these comments suggest that this person, on some level, holds a view of me that is overly simplistic and insensitive, and purely physical. We all have physical bodies, of which certain stereotypes have been ascribed, but we need to look beyond each other's physicality and appreciate each individual based on their personality because that is what truly what defines a person.

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over
reference.com

To those who celebrate, you just spent an entire day cooking an elaborate meal with all of your favorite foods. You probably ate your body weight in pumpkin pie and mashed potatoes. What happens now? Oh yea, Christmas. It’s time to take out all of the decorations and Christmas themed things that have been sitting in the attic since last year; it’s time to make a reappearance. So, here are 10 things that happen the second Thanksgiving is over.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

18 Things I Want To Do Now That I'm 18

I'm technically an adult, so I'm legally required to live a little, right?

2653
Happy Birthday Cake

For the entirety of my high school career, I was always seen as the goody-two-shoes. I never got in trouble with a teacher, I kept stellar grades, and when I wasn't doing extracurricular activities, I was at home studying. Even when I did go out, it was usually with a bunch of fellow band geeks. The night would end before 11:00 PM and the only controversial activity would be a fight based on who unfairly won a round of Apples-to-Apples when someone else clearly had a better card (I promise I'm not still holding a grudge).

Now that I'm officially an adult, I want to pursue some new things. I want to experience life in a way that I never allowed myself to do prior to entering college. These are the years that I'm supposed to embark on a journey of self-discovery, so what better way to do that than to create a bucket list?

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics

The holiday classics that shaped my life

1577
10 Life Lessons from Christmas Classics
Flickr

The holiday season is full of stress, debt, and forced conversation. While we rush through the month of December, it's important to take a step back and enjoy the moments before they're gone. Most families love to watch Christmas movies, but these beloved films provide more than entertainment. Here are 10 life lessons that I've learned from the holiday classics we watch every year.

Keep Reading...Show less
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

200837
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

21296
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments