A woman was utterly surprised when her Uber driver offered her an unsolicited tip on how to care for her remarkable skin.
Celebrating her striking beauty, the fashion icon, famously known as the “Queen of the Dark,” responded with laughter, dismissing his remarks with ease.
Read on to discover what the Uber driver said and how she transformed the situation into a learning opportunity!
Having spent her early years in refugee camps in Ethiopia and Kenya, Nyakim Gatwech envisioned America as a “heaven on earth.”
However, upon arriving in Buffalo at the age of 14, Gatwech found herself often alone, crying over the harsh judgments she faced due to her deeply pigmented skin.
Based in Minnesota and originally from South Sudan, the model endured years of bullying for her radiant dark complexion, with comments like, “You don’t take showers. That’s why your skin is dirty,” or, “Smile so we can see you, Nyakim. We can’t see you.”
“In class, for example, the teacher would ask a question and say, ‘Oh, Nyakim, can you answer that?’ A kid would say, ‘Who are you talking to? We can’t see her. She’s not here.’ The whole class would start laughing, and I would just cry,” the now 31-year-old woman shares with Cosmopolitan.
As a young girl desperate to fit in, it was tough when random men would bet on whether she was wearing leggings or if her skin was genuinely that dark.
“At one point, I did consider [bleaching my skin]. When I came to America from a refugee camp in Africa [at age 14], I lived in Buffalo, New York. I would cry myself to sleep after being bullied [about my skin],” she says. “There are so many beautiful dark-skinned Sudanese women who bleach their skin.”
Gatwech revealed that her own sister was among those who bleached their skin. “My own sister did it. But when I told her I wanted to [after living in America for a few months], she told me no. ‘I’m not going to let my daughter do it, or you, nobody.’”
Queen of the Dark
Now hailed as the Queen of the Dark, this woman – who has faced discrimination from designers, makeup artists, and even fellow models – feels empowered by overcoming negativity.
Gatwech’s confidence and profound love for her deep chocolatey skin are supported by her 962,000 loyal Instagram followers.
“My chocolate is elegant. So is what I represent… A nation of warriors,” she writes in one post.
Fans are captivated by her striking beauty.
“Omgggggg I love your skin and melanin,” one fan comments, while another says, “love your beautiful skin tone so much! God makes beautiful creations such as you to remind us of His magnificence!”
Responding to the overwhelming support, Gatwech states, “I grew to learn to love myself… Now, I am not bothered by it [the negativity]. I accept my skin, I love myself, and I’m not insecure about my skin anymore. I don’t think I’m ugly anymore. I have confidence in myself.”
‘Stupidest questions’
A few years ago, Gatwech recounts an encounter with an Uber driver who asked if she’d ever consider bleaching her unique skin.
“He said, ‘Wow, you’re dark,’” Gatwech tells Cosmopolitan about her conversation with the driver. “I just laughed. I wanted to know why he thought I should. He said because life would be easier for me. It would be easier for me to be in a relationship, or guys would be more attracted to me if I was lighter. If I was going to a job interview, I would get the job opportunities because I’m lighter. I just said, ‘[Even if] being lighter would make my life easier, I’d rather take the [hard] road.’”
She adds, “I’m accustomed to people asking the most absurd questions about my skin.”
Gatwech then shared her story on Instagram, accompanied by a stunning photo of herself with three other dark-skinned Sudanese women.
She wrote, “A nation with people so dark you won’t believe your eyes… skin so rich and teeth so bright. Gosh, how I love my country, my people, and everything that comes with it.”
She detailed her encounter with the Uber driver: “[SIC] I was asked by my Uber driver the other day, he said, ‘Don’t take this offensively, but if you were given 10 thousand dollars, would you bleach your skin for that amount?’ I couldn’t even respond; I started laughing so hard. Then he said, ‘So that’s a no?’ and I was like, ‘Hell to the f*cking yeah, that’s a no. Why on earth would I ever bleach this beautiful melanin God blessed me with?’ Then he asked, ‘So you see it as a blessing?’”
Her followers quickly responded with praise and support.
“I guess he didn’t get the memo… black is beautiful,” one fan commented.
“I love you for loving you,” shared another. A third added, “Why would we ever want to mess up something so beautiful?”
When asked by Yahoo Beauty what advice she would give to young black girls facing similar challenges, she said, “You are beautiful, you are unique, and there are people who love you just the way you are. They say the darker the berry, the sweeter the juice. Embrace your darkness!”
Here’s what your favorite color might reveal about your personality.
Psychologists think your favorite color can say a lot about your personality.
The color you like might reveal your strengths, weaknesses, and how you connect with others.
If you have a favorite color, keep reading to find out what it could mean about you and your emotions.
Color Purple
If your favorite color is purple, you’re someone who trusts your gut instincts. You’ve learned that listening to your intuition usually leads to the right choices.
You have a big heart and like to help others when they need it. At the same time, you’re a perfectionist who seeks emotional balance. You’re also a keen observer who doesn’t miss a thing.
People see you as a visionary with the power to draw others in with your strong charisma.
You’re unique in everything you do and never worry about fitting in. Your creative spirit pushes you to follow your own path.
Color Black
Black might not be the flashiest color, but it stands for confidence and purpose. People who love black are often natural leaders who like to have control over their lives.
You’re independent, strong, and classy. You prefer to keep your life private and only share personal details with people you really trust. You speak with confidence and authority, and your self-control can sometimes make you seem a bit intimidating.
You’re polite, well-spoken, and have a traditional, above-average style.
Color Red
You’re someone with a lot of motivation and determination. You’re not afraid to take risks and take the lead.
If red is your favorite color, it means you’re passionate, outgoing, and confident. You can be a bit impulsive and have a strong personality. You’re driven to reach your goals and won’t give up easily. While some may see red lovers as quick-tempered, they are generally positive, loving people.
Color Pink
If pink is your favorite color, it’s all about love!
You’re compassionate and caring, and people know they can always count on you for support. You have a big heart and often put others’ needs before your own. Your kindness and encouragement help you build strong, lasting friendships.
You tend to see the world in a positive way, like the saying about looking at life through “rose-colored glasses.”
The lovers of pink wear their heart on their sleeve and are delicate and sensitive human beings.
Color White
If white is your favorite color, you’re seen as organized, independent, and logical.
You tend to be reserved, but you have high standards for yourself and others. You respect boundaries and value clear thinking in everything you do. When you’re disappointed, you might struggle with it, but you’re good at showing control over your life and emotions, even if you’re feeling differently inside.
Color Orange
You enjoy being accepted and part of a group. Your social life is really important to you, and you love being around people and going to social events.
You’re fun to be with and live in the moment.
If orange is your favorite color, you’re a problem-solver who loves to inspire others. You spread positive energy and make people feel good.
You don’t shy away from challenges but you can also be irresponsible at times.
Overall, the lovers of orange are considered warm, friendly, and inviting.
Color Blue
Blue is often linked to water and the sky, which brings feelings of relaxation and calm. People who are drawn to these feelings are seen as empathetic, honest, reliable, and good at solving problems.
If you’re attracted to blue, it means you’re thoughtful and guided by your heart. You tend to be more spiritual and have a creative side.
You usually have traditional beliefs and like to find peaceful places when things get stressful. You care for your relationships and value your close family and friends.
In chaotic situations, you stay calm and keep things organized. Because you believe in fairness, people see you as trustworthy, friendly, and approachable.
Color Green
People who love green are known for being moral, trustworthy, and sensitive. They’re often guided by their emotions and seen as loyal and supportive friends.
You’re a lively, down-to-earth person who seeks harmony and values acceptance.
Green is often linked to health and balance, and those who like this color tend to be very intelligent and strive for perfection.
You feel a special connection to nature and love being outdoors. You also seek balance and try to avoid chaos as much as possible.
You’re good at seeing the bigger picture and understanding different viewpoints. Others admire your clarity and ability to see things broadly.
Green is often linked to prosperity and financial success.
Color Grey
Grey is often seen as a color of calmness, reliability, and practicality. It suggests a preference for balance and moderation, avoiding extreme actions or feelings.
People who love grey often prefer a minimalist style and appreciate depth and subtlety instead of flashy choices.
Those drawn to grey tend to have a calm and steady personality. They like to stay grounded and avoid being influenced by strong emotions. They value stability and consistency and choose a balanced approach to life over chaos and extremes.
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