“You look like Miss Uganda” a man leaned in as though divulging a secret he could no longer contain. I exhaled a sigh and fixed my cringe into a smile, hoping that a short “thank you” would save me from this awkward encounter. I knew he meant well but what did that achieve, other than to inform me that he did not care enough to notice the obvious differences between me and her?

This is no new story to many black women; we are often confused with one another. More often than not, we are too caught off guard to address the discrimination head on. Until recently, it felt easier for me to just shrug it off and let it slide, complaining about it to everybody except the accused. But when world renowned supermodel Adut Akech posted a somber series of images to her instagram account, I realized that this was not the solution.

‘Adut Akech’ it read on the glossy printed pages of Who Magazine’s editorial spread, so why was the corresponding picture telling a different story? Adut, who was chosen as the second ever black bride to close a Chanel couture show, has shot many brand campaigns and graced the covers of the top magazines (she landed FIVE September Vogue covers this year) time and time again. Yet, instead of using one of the countless photographs of her, Who Magazine ignorantly published a picture of another black model.

“Big publications need to make sure that they fact check things before publishing them especially when its real stories and interview and not just some made up rumours… Not only do I personally feel insulted and disrespected but I feel like my entire race has been disrespected too,” she wrote in the heartfelt outcry.

Same, Adut. Which is why I have decided that the next time somebody tells me that I “look like” another black woman I am going to ask them, “how, exactly?” Hey, if I have to feel embarrassed and uncomfortable why shouldn’t they? Maybe that little moment of reflection will help them think twice before putting another person in that position.