I wanted to write about an article that came in “The Hindu” some weeks ago, for a long time. So here goes.
This article (the name I’ve forgotten as I am of the long term and short term memory loss kind, atleast with names, dates, times, phone numbers, etc…) was about the fascination Indians have over “FAIR SKIN“. I am using some of the words from the article because they were exactly my words. It almost sounded as if I had written some of the paragraphs.
Look at the TV ads for ‘fairness cream’ products. They apparently show how their products will increase the fairness of one’s skin. And the emphasis, sometimes blatant and sometimes subtle, is on “FAIR”. Everybody knows that Indians are generally dark skinned. So why is this fascination for fair skin? I have no idea. It probably was a misconception born when with Aryan, Muslim and British invasions. I am guessing here. But whatever reason it is, I don’t care and neither should every Indian. Brown, black, white and yellow are just colors. How can you discriminate because of color when the blood that runs inside anyone is still red?
This article talked about the Matrimonial pages where you can find ads like “very fair skinned beautiful girl…” (girl? shouldn’t it be woman atleast) or “wheatish” (euphism for dark skin) etc… Where will this end? I say, abolish arranged marriage and let every one find his or her mate. I am sure at one point of time this fetish (yeah, it is definitely a fetish) for fair skin will come to an end when everyone is left to fend and find for themselves.
My StumbleUpon Page
you will be even more enraged when i tell u that there is this absolutely ridiculous serial on zee tv that is called saloni ..something something…its abt a girl who is wheatish and how her parents are struggling to find a suitable groom for her ..i was so aghast that a popular channel was broadcasting such a (racist )serial…they try justifying the serial by sayin they want to bring forth the injustice committed by society against a weatish complexioned girl.i mean they show stuff like how the girls mom is ready to pay 50 lakhs to a sick guy who will marry the girl despit her colour.its sick i tell u …makes me wanna throw up….
cc(Quote) (Reply)
Geez…50 lakhs? I am sure this is not just a serial and is the case in so many places all over India and not necessarily in rural India alone.
First, the woman has to stand on her own legs. She should be self-supportive.
Second, she should be able to say no to “dowry”
Third, the family should be supportive. What they perceive as ‘good’ for the woman in society’s eye may not be the as good as it seems to the woman’s personal life.
I do see many women nowadays who walk out of the norm and demand what they want and not giving in to some foolish demands from men or family. It is good. But, not possible if the woman has not learnt to take care of herself without anyone’s help.
Life is a struggle!!!
Anwin(Quote) (Reply)
Hey there dude…..i was thinking of posting something on the same lines……yeah so damn true….when u can get away with such blatant RACISM, you can get away with anything, even dowry deaths!!!! I mean, I am certain that the recent fad with “fair” skin has to do with useless mindsets…..and the worst part is that I saw on ad the other day for a “fairness” skin for MEN!! Comeon, be real!! and what is with this word fair anyway?? Isnt that also a play on the word itself and has a hidden meaning….really….just compare “Fair” and “Dark”?? man, am i PROUD to be brown!!
Naveen(Quote) (Reply)
Yeah dude!!! A ‘fairness’ cream for men? Yeowwww!!!
I can’t believe how blase these people’s mentality are?
Anwin(Quote) (Reply)
yea saw that advertistment.instead of giving fairness cream ad for men they should get a cream that protect skin from harsh sunlight (uv rays can lead to skin cancer)..then they are talking ..coz men tend to be very careless when it comes to skin care and a healthy glowing skin is good ..doesnt mean it has to be fair …it should be protected from pollution and harmful uv rays ….which ppl dont pay attention to.
cc(Quote) (Reply)
Hi all,
I’ve just found this blog. You people were talking about fairness cream for men. Although all the postings are very old but I want to say something. I have used this fairness cream for men called Fair and Handsome and found nothing wrong in it. I’m a man and using a fairness cream which is made for men only. Then where is the problem? Several products you people can get like Talcum powder for men, perfume for men, body spray for men. Then what’s wrong in a fairness cream which is branded for men. Men has a skin (just like women, but slightly differ in nature) and if any man want’s to make his face fair, then I don’t think that is a bad idea. So many film heroes and male celebrities use different creams and lotions for making their skin healthy and glow. Do we think they are not manly? I’ve found a website http://www.fairandhandsome.net/ where you could see this cream is also helpful for protecting skin from harmful UV rays.
Praveen(Quote) (Reply)