When the Rainbow was Not Enough: RIP Karyn Washington

In hindsight those who seem to be the strongest, the most inspiring, uplifting, bright individuals and highly regarded by most are extinguishing their own light.  It has been an increasingly common and alarming trend for the ones whose peer's have labeled them "most likely to succeed" to decide to cut their own path short and end their life tragically with suicide. 


In January, celebrities mourned the death of socialite and running enthusiast Yusuf Neville  who jumped off a building in North Carolina ending his life after 27 years. Following that tragedy is now blogger Karyn Washington who was only 22 years young when she committed suicide this past week while grieving her mother's passing. 

Let's not forget to mention last year's announcement of Lee Thompson Young death, best know for his TV show The Famous Jett Jackson, who also committed suicide in August. 

Hampton Grad Yusuf Neville (left) Lee Thompson Young (right)

Why is this happening to our black youth? What will it take to end this unfortunate trend?

I never had the pleasure to actually meet Karyn but she was a fellow blogger and someone worth admiring. She was an extraordinary soul who wanted all women to know that we are BEAUTIFUL no matter what was the shade of our skin. She had a website called ForBrownGirls that celebrated the beauty of brown shades and promoted embracing one's own beauty and exploring ways to defeat insecurities. Karyn also started a movement called Dark Skin, Red Lip after rapper A$AP Rocky made a comment that dark skinned women shouldn't wear red lipstick because it does not look good on them. Karyn had a mission in life to inspire others and uplift those struggling with the effects of colorism in society. My heart goes out to her family and friends in this difficult time. Karyn will be missed and her legacy will be remembered by us.

"And this is for Colored girls who have considered suicide, but are moving to the ends of their own rainbows.

somebody/ anybody sing a black girl's song bring her out to know herself to know you but sing her rhythm scarin/ struggle/ hard times sing her song of life she's been dead so long closed in silence so longs he doesn't know the sound of her own voice her infinite beauty she's half-notes scattered without rhythm/ no tune sing her sighs sing the song of her possibilities sing a righteous gospel let her be born let her be born& handled warmly."  

   ― Ntozake Shange,   

for colored girls who have considered suicide/when the rainbow is enuf

A More Personal Note:

Not that I've thought about it or considered it but I fear the moment that I seriously do because at that point it my life will be over. 

I have never been afraid to set my mind to something and execute it with passion. I am glad that I chose to LIVE and PUSH forward daily. I encourage others to do the same. We deserve that much and owe ourself the opportunity to live. 

Reach out to one another because you can never tell what their struggle is . . . Hopefully this will be a reminder to those who are feeling lost that there are options. 

RIP Karyn Washington 


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