Growing up, I have always received many comments regarding my 'light skin'. In fact, nearly all of the time, when I introduced myself as a Sri Lankan woman, I was met with gasps and shock from others. I was frequently told that I was too light skinned for a Sri Lankan and that I was pretty for a Sri Lankan woman. Initially, I perceived this as a compliment. As a result, it made me drift away and dislike my Sri Lankan identity. Typically, Sri Lankan individuals have a dark complexion which was viewed by society as a negative trait. Many of my Sri Lankan friends and family members have not been able to love and embrace both themselves and their culture due to this. My experience has taught me to see the beauty in all skin tones. Ultimately, beauty is defined by you, not by anyone else.