“Omgggggg I love your skin and melanin,” writes one fan, while another says, “love your beautiful skin tone so much! God makes beautiful creations such as you to remind us of His magnificence!”

Responding to the overwhelming support, Gatwech says, “I grew to learn to love myself…Now, I am not bothered by it [the negativity]. I accept my skin, I love myself, and I’m not insecure about my skin anymore. I don’t think I’m ugly anymore. I have confidence in myself.”

‘Stupidest questions’

A few years ago, Gatwech details an encounter with an Uber driver who asked if she’d ever consider bleaching her unique skin.

“He said, ‘Wow, you’re dark,’” Gatwech tells Cosmopolitan of her conversation with the driver. “I just laughed. I wanted to know why he thought I should. He said because life would be easier for me. It would be easier for me to be in a relationship, or guys would be more attracted to me if I was lighter. If I was going to a job interview, I would get the job opportunities because I’m lighter. I just said, ‘[Even if] being lighter would make my life easier, I’d rather take the [hard] road.’”

She adds, “I’m used to people asking the stupidest questions ever [about my skin].”

Then Gatwech shared the story on Instagram, along with a jaw-dropping image of her and three other dark-skinned Sudanese beauties.

She writes, “A country with people so dark you won’t believe your eyes…skin so rich and teeth so bright. Gosh how I love my country my people and everything that come with it.”

She then goes on to detail her run-in with the Uber driver: “[SIC] I was ask my uber driver the other day he said, don’t take this offensive but if you were given 10 thousand dollars would you bleach your skin for that amount? I couldn’t even respond I started laughing so hard. Than he said so that a no and I was like hell to the f*king yeah that a no, why on earth would I ever bleach this beautiful melanin God bless with me Than he said so you look at it as a blessing?”

Her followers quickly jumped in with their praise, offering Gatwech their support.

“I guess he did not get the memo…black is beautiful,” writes one fan.

“I love you for loving you,” shares a second. A third adds, “Why would we ever want to mess up something so beautiful?”

When asked by Yahoo Beauty what advice she can offer young black girls who are facing similar obstacles, she said, “You are beautiful, you are unique, and there are people who love you just the way you are. They say the darker the cherry, the sweeter the juice. Embrace your darkness!”

Gatwech’s message is a powerful reminder that beauty comes in all shapes, sizes and colours!

What do you think of this stunning woman and how she responded to the Uber driver? Please share your thoughts with us and then share this story so we can hear what others have to say!