Since Rene is out & about with us on the weekends...I count on that time to get the camera out and capture India. Unfortunately, this weekend, I didn't have the camera with me much to capture anything. Sorry!
So, I thought I would discuss an issue in India...Skin Color!
In India (and apparently throughout Asia), skin color is a status symbol. There is a huge desire to have lighter-skin color. I read an article in the newspaper written by a mother. She started the article very angry at a very successful actor that was starting to promote skin-whitening creams. She asked the question: Are their bank balances not big enough to avoid supporting such an awful trend?
She is especially upset that the children become aware of this push for light skin at such a young age. Some examples:
- light-pink gods portrayed in cartoons, comics, & picture books.
- the light-peachy-pink stick in a crayon box being labeled as "skin color"
She describes her daughter as a lovely berry-brown 6 year old, who has already started to ask her mother "why am I dark?" A boy from her class actually said "My mom has a skin clinic; come to my house, she will make your skin light." Another classmate explained that: She eats to much junk food, that's why she is dark.
This mother sits with her daughter and draws moustaches on the female models in skin-lightening advertisements. They have also adopted Disney's Princess Jasmine as their favorite princess.
Maybe this is one of the reasons why my very light-skinned child is a "star" wherever we go. The people want to touch him and take pictures of him. While the Indian's are focussing on lightening their skin...I will be focusing on darkening mine before my wedding.
So, I thought I would discuss an issue in India...Skin Color!
She is especially upset that the children become aware of this push for light skin at such a young age. Some examples:
- light-pink gods portrayed in cartoons, comics, & picture books.
- the light-peachy-pink stick in a crayon box being labeled as "skin color"
She describes her daughter as a lovely berry-brown 6 year old, who has already started to ask her mother "why am I dark?" A boy from her class actually said "My mom has a skin clinic; come to my house, she will make your skin light." Another classmate explained that: She eats to much junk food, that's why she is dark.
This mother sits with her daughter and draws moustaches on the female models in skin-lightening advertisements. They have also adopted Disney's Princess Jasmine as their favorite princess.
Maybe this is one of the reasons why my very light-skinned child is a "star" wherever we go. The people want to touch him and take pictures of him. While the Indian's are focussing on lightening their skin...I will be focusing on darkening mine before my wedding.
Crazy that most Americans strive to have the healthy tan glow and they are looking for the opposite...when will we all be happy with the way we are?
ReplyDeleteBTW-Benjamin is a star regardless of his color!
I remember that from my geography class way back then. Sorry to hear it still exists. But I believe it is that way with all dark skinned cultures. But skin lightening clinics?! That's unfortunate.
ReplyDelete