I created the idea of writing this article after reading some articles about activists saying that colorism was as discriminatory as racism, which for me is true.
Today, the conception of becoming whiter continues to be one of Asia’s most productive, if not oppressive ideals. Asian's obsession to whitening products hasn’t stop making headlines in recent years. The prevalent idea that fair skin identifies beauty became so deeply embedded over the years.
In many societies, especially in Asia, there is deeply rooted cultural notion that dark skin has long been associated with working in the fields, therefore, rural poverty. On the other hand, white skin is associated with living a more comfortable life, out of the sun, therefore, high socioeconomic status. Thus, skin color is a basis of social class.
In my own country, the Philippines, most people have darker skin, yet society favors those with fairer skin. At supermarkets, you can see entire aisles devoted to whitening products. And people already accepted that, being white is equivalent to being beautiful.
I felt guilty to the fact that, I, myself is also a user of whitening products, but funny though, it isn’t working on me, as I’m still dark. There are some products that actually works when used for a long time, but some doesn’t, the results varies from person to person. Yet, I continue using it, due to stigma associated with darker skin which can mean going to some lengths to become lighter.
Recently, some countries faces backlash over skin-lightening products. In India, the Black Lives Matter campaign sparked by the death of George Floyd while in the police custody in the United States. It has resonated in an unusual area. Skin lightening beauty products that have become hugely popular in India and other Asian countries.
It then followed by Johnson & Johnson’s which stopped selling skin-whitening products. They removed brands that have been criticized for using racist imagery to sell products. Other companies have been criticized for expressing solidarity with the Black Lives Matter movement while still selling whitening products that advertise their skin-lightening effects.
While white-skined people like staying under the sun to get tan, dark-skinned people are obsessed of turning their skin into a whiter one.
As a society we have to understand our past and how it affects our present. The colonial and imperial past affected how we think about ourselves now.
Beauty is a construct and we’re socialized to perceive certain people as beautiful. More often than not pretty privilege is actually just racism , colorism and classism.
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@Ashma if your week 5 started already, I would like to include this in my entry.
Check this link guys if you don't know yet.
https://read.cash/@Ashma/rewarding-points-system-for-get-sponsored-community-6848ff1f
Well said!