Cantik
When I was a kid, I dreamed of the day I would finally transform into a tall, slender woman like Minky Momo. But the truth is, my height barely increased since the sixth grade. When I turned 20, I thought, Is this it? Momo, you are a scam! Throughout my life, I have spoken to many women about beauty. Someone with an endearing smile hates the shape of her lips, and someone with beautiful legs despises the skin on her knees. Some wish they were born with lighter skin, while others battle persistent acne. Many of these self-resentments stem from class-mate teasings in middle school, while some of it originate from the very spaces they sought comfort in, forcing them to spend their lives proving they possess other qualities to compensate for their perceived lack of beauty. At one point, I was furious at whoever decided there should be a narrow definition of beauty—one that was far from inclusive. Yet, I eventually realized my anger was futile. Sure, I could blame the beauty industry and c...