The Skin I'm In by Amaiya
Amaiya's entry into Varsity Tutor's October 2023 scholarship contest
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The Skin I'm In by Amaiya - October 2023 Scholarship Essay
A book that has deeply impacted me is "The Skin I'm In" by Sharon G. Flake. Themes like colorism, bullying, self-esteem, and discovery are all discussed in this book. The exceptional story focuses on the journey of dark-skinned seventh grader Maleeka Madison, whose life changes through the inspiration of a new teacher. Maleeka is constantly made fun of for her Black skin, being tall and thin, and the ill-fitting clothes that her mother makes for her. While dealing with bullying, Maleeka has to learn to love and accept herself regardless of what others may think. Her new teacher, Miss Saunders, helps Maleeka develop her creative writing talent and learn to appreciate herself.
Growing up, I experienced bullying and self-confidence issues like Maleeka. I was made fun of for being skinny and wearing my natural hair. The bullies were ruthless, and I hated going to school. I remember reading this in middle school; I had my nose stuck in the book from the first page until the very last page. This book helped me realize that what others think of me does not matter. "The Skin I'm In" is the perfect book for the youth to gain self-confidence and self-assurance. Although this book embraces dark skin, children of all colors can gain something from this.
The theme of accepting who you are and the skin you wear, no matter how people perceive you, is what we need to incorporate in our classrooms. Constantly, society has a way of making people feel insecure or uncertain about their physical appearance; it's time we help our youth embrace themselves and one another. "The Skin I'm In" is one of my favorite childhood books that encourages young people to be themselves regardless of what others think. This book taught children to empower themselves, love themselves, and that it was okay to be unique. I strongly believe everyone should read this book to instill a sense of self-assurance in addition to respect for others. Thank you for considering my application.
