Thanks to all who repiled to my request.

I seemed to have upset a few people which was never my intention.

Just for those who are wondering:

firstly I'm asking about this topic because I think it's an extremely damaging practice, not only for the individual but for us as a Black race (yes, I am Black, Black African in fact).

Secondly, I'm asking because I've just returned from Ghana (my homeland) and there is a real probelm there and the government has just rolled out a major awareness campaign against it. I thnk its a problem in this country too and the only way to tackle it is through awareness and education.

Thirdly, I like being Black and I live in an area where there aren't that many of us. I think it's important not to sell-in to the Western ideals of beauty or feel we have to look European to be accepted as beautiful. It's important to create awareness of certian issues in order to learn from and move away from certain practices.

And lastly, I have a beautiful Black daughter who I don't want to see grow up and think she isn't as beautiful as her white counterparts. I grew up mainly in this country in a time where the only beautiful woman according to society was Naomi Campbell and even then that wasn't widely accepted. I don't want my daughter to grow up in a world where she thinks she has to go to such extremes as to bleach her skin. We both have wide noses, kinky afro hair and I have a gap in the front of my teeth, how non-European can you get?