" I mean in the community that I grew up in, you know, a very, you know, mixed, almost entirely African Diaspora community, one of the things that we were not ever supposed to say was how much self-hatred and colorism determined and guided what we would call our desire. In other words, what we would consider beautiful. "
- Junot Diaz

In the quote, Junot Diaz discusses his experiences growing up in a community where discussions about self-hatred and colorism were discouraged. He describes how individuals in this environment often had an unspoken understanding that their preferences for beauty or attractiveness were influenced by negative attitudes towards their own appearance or skin tone.

Diaz's statement delves deeper into the social dynamics of communities with a predominantly African diaspora background, where acknowledging self-hatred and colorism is considered taboo. This silence around such issues can perpetuate harmful stereotypes and prejudices within the community, impacting how individuals perceive themselves and each other. By pointing out this unspoken rule, Diaz highlights the importance of addressing these uncomfortable truths to foster healthier social relationships and self-esteem among community members.

Junot Diaz is an acclaimed Dominican-American writer known for his novels and short stories that explore themes of identity, immigration, and cultural assimilation. His works often reflect on the immigrant experience in America and the complexities faced by those navigating multiple cultures. Diaz has won numerous literary awards, including the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction for "The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao," which is a novel that intricately weaves together magical realism with the history of the Dominican Republic and its diaspora community.