Ruth's Truth
Tell me about yourself.
Rutherford: My name is Rutherford and I am a first generation Haitian American. My passions include fashion development (creating outfits), art, and philanthrophy. I have an art project coming out soon about the Haitian and Black experience. One of my goals is to create a prototype city in Haiti which is basically a city where people can live to their fullest potential. I want to create access to self sufficiency. For example, having to fetch water from the well shouldn’t stop someone from writing the next award winning novel. I am also the founder of Black Power Brunch and Prjct August and I am the senior editor for Black Girl Fly Mag!
What are your beauty struggles?
Rutherford: For a veerrrrrrrry long time, I was self-conscious about my forehead. I wore bangs and I hated the wind because it would blow my bangs out of the way of my forehead lol. Even when my hair stylist would cut my bangs too short, I would still wear my bangs out. I always kept a comb with me. I finally grew out of my insecurity.
I have always had an issue with foundation. I didn’t start wearing makeup until recently because all of the options made my skin look greasy or it didn’t last long. I look back at pictures and my makeup looked so ashy! It is hard to find a good foundation that is affordable. Bobbi Brown is one of the only makeup companies that tries to include all skin shades but it is quite expensive.
What does beauty mean to you?
Rutherford: There are multiple layers to that question. There is a kind of aesthetic beauty which I define as “what the world tells you to want”. I love the antithesis of what society tells you to believe is beautiful. I love darkness! I love the way I look in the summer months when I get really dark and even. Beauty is existence. It is the way you move and operate in the world. Beauty is the things that make you experience happiness and joy. Beauty can be seen in actions like when people are nice to others. It is beautiful. I love bare bones blackness!
Do you encounter things that others do not?
Rutherford: I feel like I constantly have to double check myself. As the senior editor for Black Girl Fly Mag, people expect us to create a space for Black women. I don’t ever want to let Black women down. I know that sometimes I have different views of Blackness and Black movements. We always try to make sure we are doing a good job by Black women. Other publications don’t have as much on their shoulders. We make sure we do not support anyone who accomplishes things at the expense of Black people. We also feel like it is our duty to include Black people who look racially ambiguous. Just because they don’t fit the general notion of what blackness is doesn’t mean they are any less Black, but I do understand the stigma that darker skinned people have endured.
Dating is also very difficult for darker skinned women. When your counterpart–Black men– don’t want you and only like lighter skinned women, it hurts but you have to decide that you just don’t care anymore.
What is your self-care routine?
Rutherford: If I’m being completely transparent, I am still trying to convince myself that I deserve one. Sometimes, I’ll take extra time in the shower lol. Other times, people will try to convince me that I need a break but as a child of immigrants there is some sort of validation in struggle. There was a point every Sunday where I would make sure my work schedule didn't start until 1. I would do my hair and exfoliate my skin and just take my time. I love getting dressed blasting music. I’ll put on my 80’s Michael Jackson music and dance while I get ready.
I always try to remind myself that “you can’t pour out of an empty cup”. I’ve also started saying NO more often. Even to myself. I had chosen a day and was like this is gonna be a me day and I’m gonna work on me then my friend called me and said he was feeling lonely so even though I wanted to focus on myself, I went over to his house. I was so mad at myself for not saying no to myself. I am learning that I have to stop putting people before myself.
I’ve been listening to the best of Janet Jackson and a lot of old-school reggae. My favorite song right now is Jaspora by Wyclef Jean!
Keep up with Rutherford: on her journey:
Personal Instagram: @lesocialnomad
Business IG: @BlackPowerBrunch and @PrjctAugust.
Senior Editor of Black Girl Fly Mag
BGF IG: @blackgirlflymag.
Website: www.lesocialnomad.com coming soon.