Class is in session and Meagan Good is teaching a lesson on why the idioms, “you don’t have to look how you feel” and “don’t look like what you’ve been through” are widespread phrases in the African American community. Ms. Good’s visual story as told through her recent social media posts shows her glowing skin, blonde bob, bright smile, and fit physique which all illustrate the strength that comes from caring for your beauty amidst trying times. The importance of beauty as a means of self-care during tough times is nothing new for Black women. In many early West African cultures if a woman’s hair was “undone it would signal that something was wrong… the woman was bereaved, depressed…” according to Tharps and Byrd in Hair Story. Following the notion, that there’s a connection between wellbeing, visual representation, and beauty for Black women, here are 3 lessons from Meagan Good that might help you heal through a breakup and book that beauty appointment to look and feel better amidst trying times.
- At a football game Ms. Good gave us a smile and some Janet Jackson nostalgia as she sported her custom jersey which read “MS GOOD IF YA Nasty”. Fashion and liberation collided in this post where her caption was simply a goat emoji, and why shouldn’t a woman remind herself of how great she is, especially during a breakup?
2. Quoting an unknown author Ms. Good captioned this physique-fashioned photo “be proud of how you’ve been handling these last few months. The silent battles you’ve fought, the moments you had to humble yourself, the times you’ve wiped your own tears. Celebrate your strength.” This post is a reminder to take care of your body, acknowledge your progress in the process of healing, and that you can get dressed up and glammed up if you want to for any activity.
3. In a reel captioned “Back to work kids” we see Meagan sporting a freshly retouched blonde bob, fitted teal dress, and natural minimalist makeup while hearing Tierra Whack’s lyrics “I’m doing Meagan Good” from the song “Meagan Good”. This post shows inspiration between artists and serves as a reminder to show up from head to toe as you engage in the work that you enjoy.
Healing is certainly a journey and while there is no requirement to share it via social media, there is encouragement in the story of Meagan Good and a reminder to show up for yourself during trying times.