"Unearthly: The Beauty of Blackness"

 

Unearthly (/ˌənˈərTHlē/): To be unnatural or mysterious, especially in a disturbing way.

 

These words have often been used by oppressive powers to disparage, belittle, and underestimate Black people for centuries. There has always been an extensive history of referring to the Black body as an alien type being, one that should forever be placed at the bottom of racial hierarchies. In this project, I wanted to address the idea of Blackness as alien. I want to express that although it is seen as primitive or unnatural to oppressive powers, these various brown hues, kinky hair, and rich culture are a beauty not meant to be analyzed by the white gaze. It is alien because the natural beauty of Blackness is indescribable, never meant to be hidden or made insignificant.