Woman challenges ‘conservative ideals’ with armpit hair
If Sheerah Ravindren's face looks familiar, that is because it is. Sheerah is a creative assistant as well as an activist, but you may know her more for her feature in the Brown Skin Girls music video by singer Beyoncé.
Sheerah Ravindren, whose grandfather was a civil activist, inspired her to be more outspoken about matters that mean something to her.
Ravindren was happy to represent the South Asian and Tamil community whom she believes are not represented on the world stage, especially in the beauty industry. Universally, there is a societal view of what is seen as beautiful and often a lot of groups - including women of a darker shade, are left out.
Brown Skin Girl, is a celebration of these often marginalised women on a bigger scale. In the music video, Beyonce features a few high profile woman of colour who have darker skin tones such as Naomi Campbell and Lupita Nyong'o.
Ravindren has also been making news this week for sharing picture of herself with her armpit hair, something that is seen by many as unclean and taboo for women.
In the above image Sheerah, states the following:
If you don't like what I post , you can unfollow me! No one's forcing you to do anything. I'm not here for that hate, infact that is the exact type of hate and problematic mind set, I am fighting against.
Her post was met with a lot of support from her 32,000 plus Instagram followers. Here are a few:
Sheerah is not the first women to publicly share images of herself in full glory. The days of policing women's bodies and what they choose to do with them are over.
Here is to freedom of expression!
For more from #Stacey&JSbu, check out past episodes below: