It Ain’t So Fair and Lovely
Let’s talk about colorism. It’s the discrimination of a person based on the fairness of their skin. And no, it’s not the same thing as racism, and here’s why. While racism compares two different ethnicities, traditions, and of course skin colors, colorism takes place within one racial category. It’s the ideology that people with fairer skin are “better” than those with darker skin. Now, this concept isn’t as prevalent in places with diversity, such as America, but they have other problems to deal with. So to truly understand colorism, we have to look at a place that used to, and still does sadly, have it engrained in its culture: India.
So when did this ideology form? During British-Colonial rule, British officials would favor light-skinned Indians over dark-skinned Indians for jobs and other opportunities. Naturally, it just became a beauty standard for Indians to have fair skin. Even after India achieved its freedom, Indians with dark skin were looked down upon. That’s why you can see the beauty and film industry going by this form of discrimination, even today.
Colorism also leads to companies creating products such as fair and lovely and other skin “brightening” creams. For decades, these products were never recognized as harmful and many famous celebrities even promoted these creams. It wasn’t until recently that fair and lovely started to receive backlash, as people started to understand just how horrible it’s message was. To cover it up, they simply rebranded “Fair and Lovely” to be called “Glow and Lovely.” Still doesn’t change the millions of girls who have been brainwashed to believe that they needed to bleach their skin to be pretty. And no, there’s nothing “fair” or “lovely” about that at all.
It’s clear that colorism has left a harsh impact on India and more. But times are changing, and people are speaking up. My only hope is that we can eventually see that we are all created equally and beautifully.
“My only hope is that we can eventually see that we are all created equally and beautifully. ”
I want people to realize their self-worth and know that they don’t have to change themselves for anyone or to achieve anything. Live your life knowing that you are perfect the way you are!