Cornelia Amoussou,
Des Moines, IA
I chose these six words because they capture how my identity as a Black woman is often reduced to stereotypes. Growing up as a first-generation American with Togolese parents, I experienced the weight of others’ assumptions early on. My body was judged and sexualized before I even understood what that meant. Friends envied me, strangers stared at me, and men fetishized me, leaving me to question my worth beyond appearance. These words highlight how race, gender, and body image intersect to create a complicated reality, one where intelligence, strength, and heritage can be overshadowed by objectification and judgment. People always talk about pretty privilege, which does exist, and I know a lot of people deal with the opposite. Sure, I was liked by lots of guys. But people rarely address the dark side of pretty privilege. People always want it all, but let me tell you: being smart, pretty, strong, and Black is hard, and you have to be truly mentally strong to deal with all of the judgment, stares, and everything that comes with it. I am now determined not to judge or envy others without knowing the person inside. I’m still judged, but I’ve learned how to manage it. Those experiences left scars and trust issues, but they also shaped my resilience, independence, and empathy. I fight to protect other girls from the same pain. This card is my reclamation: I am more than envy, judgment, or objectification. I am intelligent. I am strong. I am whole. I am proud of my heritage, my body, my mind, and my voice.
School that introduced me to The Race Card Project: DMACC or Des Moines Area Community College.
