Do Pakistanis and Indians have an unhealthy obsession with skin colour?

[MenInG]

Why is this even something to talk about?

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As Americans march the streets against institutionalized racism, a conversation around the topic has been stirring around the globe, especially in South Asian countries that are fixated over fair complexion.

Owing to that, many Pakistani stars who have previously endorsed fairness creams are getting called out over their ‘hypocrisy’ for advocating for the Black Lives Matter movement while still promoting colourism in South Asian societies.

Pakistani actor Zara Noor Abbas became target of immense criticism after posting a video of an African-American girl detailing the struggle she goes through on the basis of her skin.

One social media user was quick to call out the Chhalawa star, pointing out how she has in the past worked for fairness cream ads.

However, Zara came forth to defend herself claiming fairness creams are doing no harm to the world.

“That does not promote killing. Does not promote racism. Stop making this out of context when it is not the agenda. Your word doesn’t matter here. What matters is human life and equality and this is what I am here for. A face wash is killing No one,” she commented.

However, many netizens were quick to correct the star’s beliefs, saying the beauty commercials do lead towards racist ideologies.

“Just apologise for promoting colourism which is an extension of racism and learn better. You can’t justify promoting fairness creams because they didn’t kill anyone directly,” said one user.

“A facewash is killing no one but obviously promoting racism. If Fairness/skin complexion isn’t promoting racism then what else is?” chimed in another.

https://www.geo.tv/latest/291114-za...her-fairness-cream-ads-arent-promoting-racism

 

[Deewana Mastana]

This is not something new either, in the SC it has always been about the fairer skin and dark skin has always been slammed and shamed in public and behind closed doors as well.

This is a well known fact since decades since the countries came into their existence this has been happening where celebs for e.g Kajol from India, and Fahad Mustafa from Pakistan, also go ahead and get whitening injections treatments etc; to change their dark skin to white/fairer then you have fair and lovely playing its role all these years.

 

[IAJ]

This is not something new either, in the SC it has always been about the fairer skin and dark skin has always been slammed and shamed in public and behind closed doors as well.

This is a well known fact since decades since the countries came into their existence this has been happening where celebs for e.g Kajol from India, and Fahad Mustafa from Pakistan, also go ahead and get whitening injections treatments etc; to change their dark skin to white/fairer then you have fair and lovely playing its role all these years.

You just need to watch some pakistani stage shows, also these new ploitical/comedy shows, once there is a man with a dark skin participating, all will be upon him and the audience will have a good laugh and enjoy this. Really don't understand this.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

You just need to watch some pakistani stage shows, also these new ploitical/comedy shows, once there is a man with a dark skin participating, all will be upon him and the audience will have a good laugh and enjoy this. Really don't understand this.

Been there done that.

Totally understand what you're saying.

 

[andy0204]

No doubt about it.

 

[sweep_shot]

A lot of desi folks love fair skin. They dislike dark skin.

It is hilarious and sad.

Prime definition of inferiority complex.

 

[King-Misbah]

We discussed this topic a million times over the years and ofcourse there are many Asian people who prefer to have fairer skin.

 

[Firebat]

A lot of desi folks love fair skin. They dislike dark skin.

It is hilarious and sad.

Prime definition of inferiority complex.

Exactly right, it's the first example I would choose.

 

[Local.Dada]

Yes and not just when it comes to our own people but we are fascinated by white skin in general. Case in point when Trump won I saw some disgraceful social media posts on both Michelle Obama and Melania Trump as to how Melania is going to be an upgrade etc.

No disrespect to Melania but in terms of class, grace,intelligence,education and leadership Is Mrs. Trump even close to Mrs.Obama? Also for the record I think Michelle Obama is an attractive lady in her own right.

These kind of things disgust me.

 

[RickyG]

The subcontinent has a deep rooted inferiority complex problem that is ingrained in our people from the moment they are born.

"Rang saaf hai ya sanwaala hai" defines so much of what happens in your life. It determines whether your in laws like you or whether you're considered "smart-looking".

There's a reason why fairness creams target the people of subcontinent. So many people take pride in being able to pass for another lighter race because being a normal brown person isn't good enough.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

A lot of desi folks love fair skin. They dislike dark skin.

It is hilarious and sad.

Prime definition of inferiority complex.

Don't think it's quite as simple as that. Otherwise how do you explain white people spending money on sunbeds and tanning sprays in an effort to look darker? You could argue that everyone ideally wants to look somewhere in between.

It is often just what is seen as desirable down the ages. A couple of hundred years ago fat people were considered attractive, now you get girls suffering from anorexia trying to look like supermodels.

 

[Swashbuckler]

When it comes to desis, skin colour cuts across religion, caste, clan, gender, region, linguistic background, everything. Our folks as a group are probably the most racist in the world, even worse than the East Asians.

 

[CricketCartoons]

When it comes to desis, skin colour cuts across religion, caste, clan, gender, region, linguistic background, everything. Our folks as a group are probably the most racist in the world, even worse than the East Asians.

That makes us colorists, not racists.

 

[Local.Dada]

When it comes to desis, skin colour cuts across religion, caste, clan, gender, region, linguistic background, everything. Our folks as a group are probably the most racist in the world, even worse than the East Asians.

I was actually surprised to hear that Japan is among the most racist cultures in the world. I know it's good to be self critical and acknowledge our flaws and sure we have some biases a lot of it in fact no doubt about it but I am sure there are worse cultures than us.

 

[Giannis]

When it comes to desis, skin colour cuts across religion, caste, clan, gender, region, linguistic background, everything. Our folks as a group are probably the most racist in the world, even worse than the East Asians.

Then you have limited exposure to the world.

 

[Giannis]

Old subject, discussed to death already.

 

[OldWarHorse]

No not colorists but racist as well. Look how people from the northeast are called and made fun of. As someone said the inferiority complex runs deep in our society.

 

[from_da_lost_dim3nsion]

That makes us colorists, not racists.

splitting hair now

 

[Bilal_103]

100 years of colonialism will do that.

 

[Giannis]

splitting hair now

There's a big difference though. Colorism is more prevalent in south asia.

 

[rockyboy2018]

Well, just watch any American/British tourists travelling to Pakistan and see how locals in India or Pakistan are bowing to them. Similarly, how these white people in their countries treat these brown people when they are arriving at their airports or living there. A total start difference like oranges vs apples.

illiteracy plays a main role here in. Just look at those Pakistanis or Indians who come to live in their homeland after spending sometime living in a developed western country . They act like they are a prime minister of that country and totally look down upon their country men. It comes from an inferiority complex because they get to grow up in a third world country so they have developed this inferiorty complex in their DNA. That's how it goes.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Well, just watch any American/British tourists travelling to Pakistan and see how locals in India or Pakistan are bowing to them. Similarly, how these white people in their countries treat these brown people when they are arriving at their airports or living there. A total start difference like oranges vs apples.

illiteracy plays a main role here in. Just look at those Pakistanis or Indians who come to live in their homeland after spending sometime living in a developed western country . They act like they are a prime minister of that country and totally look down upon their country men. It comes from an inferiority complex because they get to grow up in a third world country so they have developed this inferiorty complex in their DNA. That's how it goes.

Aren't you the one who wanted to associate himself with Germans after moving there from Pakistan?

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Everybody does . Not sure why SC gets singled out all the time. Certain skin complexions are, for better or for worse , considered attractive /desirable etc. Maybe it's because SC folks tend to be the most blatant about it.

 

[rockyboy2018]

Aren't you the one who wanted to associate himself with Germans after moving there from Pakistan?

I have a temporary stay in Germany as a foreign student. I do not associate myself with any foreign nationality. In fact, when I travel to Pakistan I'm more of on the humble side because I realize that the way an average Pakistani acts and lives - it is not their main fault. It is like both culture and system that have programmed their thinking that way. In fact, I have an opportunity to take up a USA citizenship in 5 years time. After living in Germany or traveling to other countries like in Europe or the USA, watching and analyzing the behavior of locals, I am kind of old school now and I will just prefer traveling on a Pakistani passport and will decline any other citizenship even if I have the opportunity.

 

[amax]

Well, just watch any American/British tourists travelling to Pakistan and see how locals in India or Pakistan are bowing to them. Similarly, how these white people in their countries treat these brown people when they are arriving at their airports or living there. A total start difference like oranges vs apples.

illiteracy plays a main role here in. Just look at those Pakistanis or Indians who come to live in their homeland after spending sometime living in a developed western country . They act like they are a prime minister of that country and totally look down upon their country men. It comes from an inferiority complex because they get to grow up in a third world country so they have developed this inferiorty complex in their DNA. That's how it goes.

Lots of vloggers, are visiting pakistan and I dont see people bowing to them also hospitality is part of pakistani culture ,if its bowing than so be it. Pakistan is a poor country ,it is starved for tourism,investment etc , it have to be over courteous at many points , it cant afford to show attitude.Also white privilege was created after dominance of global arts and sciences by certain european countries post renaissance and industrial revolution,these people were also forefathers of usa ,it doesn't have anything to do with skin color of europeans.

 

[amax]

Everybody does . Not sure why SC gets singled out all the time. Certain skin complexions are, for better or for worse , considered attractive /desirable etc. Maybe it's because SC folks tend to be the most blatant about it.

It's even more obvious in middle east ,cosmetic surgeries prevalent thier to alter ethnic features are unheard of in pakistan and india.Pakistan and india are massive countries so they get more limelight, saying that it is a problem which we should address ,saying others have it ,is not the solution.

 

[Syed1]

I posted this on the George Floyd thread, thought I'd share this here as well

Funny how all Pakistani people are filling up their social media with pro-black posts and tweets now, but they themselves are racist on a day to day basis without even realizing it. There is a reason why fairness creams are all the rage and if a girl/guy is on the darker side they struggle to get married. Those Pakistanis living abroad, how many of you have ever seen a Pakistani - black couple. I know of absolutely no one in such a relationship. Heck we were racists against Bangladeshis because of their color, thought of them as inferior and were ashamed to call them as fellow Pakistanis, which eventually led to the fall of Dhaka. So before acting all holier than thou look at your own conduct.

Also to add to this, look at all Pakistani movies and dramas. Overwhelming majority of the actors/actresses specially those in the lead roles have milky white almost European complexion. Our minds have been systematically programmed to think of the lighter complexion as pretty and deride the darker complexion.

 

[blackanhyellow]

Well, just watch any American/British tourists travelling to Pakistan and see how locals in India or Pakistan are bowing to them. Similarly, how these white people in their countries treat these brown people when they are arriving at their airports or living there. A total start difference like oranges vs apples.

illiteracy plays a main role here in. Just look at those Pakistanis or Indians who come to live in their homeland after spending sometime living in a developed western country . They act like they are a prime minister of that country and totally look down upon their country men. It comes from an inferiority complex because they get to grow up in a third world country so they have developed this inferiorty complex in their DNA. That's how it goes.

Lots of vloggers, are visiting pakistan and I dont see people bowing to them also hospitality is part of pakistani culture ,if its bowing than so be it. Pakistan is a poor country ,it is starved for tourism,investment etc , it have to be over courteous at many points , it cant afford to show attitude.Also white privilege was created after dominance of global arts and sciences by certain european countries post renaissance and industrial revolution,these people were also forefathers of usa ,it doesn't have anything to do with skin color of europeans.

I dont deny racism doesn't exist in pakistan. It's an internal problem for the most part, as far as most ethnicities in pakistan are racist to each other when it comes to marrying their children off or feelings of cultural superiority.

Even the majority which are punjabis are often victims of racism. As are the minorities.

Preference for lighter skin and more caucasian features is definitely a problem. However this problem is not limited to pakistan or even south asia. Go to east asia, even western countries they also have this issue in varying degrees.

Also we must give credit where it's due, and I dont agree pakistanis bow down to whites when they visit. It's in our culture to be hospitable.

See video below of a black blogger traveling to pakistan and all the love he got from locals.

 

[JaDed]

Well atleast there is a dialogue on it now.. hopefully in another 30-50 years it would had passed off.

 

[marlonbrowndo]

It’s disgusting

 

[Saj]

Bollywood and Lollywood don't help in this regard.

It means that most want to resemble actors, actresses, they see on the screen.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

I posted this on the George Floyd thread, thought I'd share this here as well





Also to add to this, look at all Pakistani movies and dramas. Overwhelming majority of the actors/actresses specially those in the lead roles have milky white almost European complexion. Our minds have been systematically programmed to think of the lighter complexion as pretty and deride the darker complexion.

Pakistan is not Tamil Nadu. The skin color of Pakistani actors and actress would be the same as at least 25% of the population. Its not like India where the average Bollywood actor skin color is the same like 5% at max of the population. And the milky white complexion for alot of Pakistani females, is because they don't go out in the sun.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Don't think it's quite as simple as that. Otherwise how do you explain white people spending money on sunbeds and tanning sprays in an effort to look darker? You could argue that everyone ideally wants to look somewhere in between.

It is often just what is seen as desirable down the ages. A couple of hundred years ago fat people were considered attractive, now you get girls suffering from anorexia trying to look like supermodels.

Completely agree.

 

[King_Kohli]

Yes
Indian films, commercial ads , stand up comedy shows.. everywhere they troll dark skin people.
Sick mentality

 

[Saj]

Look at some cricketers pictures of when they started in international cricket and look at them now.

Fair and Lovely zindabad.

 

[BreadPakoda]

There's an entire thread on Twitter that has gone viral, exposing the hypocrisy of Indian actresses standing up for BLM and promoting whitening creams.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

I would like to add another factor to consider, wealth and power.

Think about it, what exactly is so lovely about white skin? If anything it looks dull and lifeless compared to more healthy tan tones, and in fact even very dark brown.

We are all affected by the images portrayed by the media, so Hollywood calls the shots, and Bollywood follows along. You don't see powerful roles played by dark people in Hollywood, which is because the powerful people are portrayed correctly as white.

Indian and Pakistani media also fall in line with this narrative which shows how far they have bought into it despite having no real reason to reflect it since their world isn't white.

 

[Saj]

I was watching a show the other day where a young singer was brought back a few years later after winning a singing competition. The difference in his skin tone was incredible.

It was almost like he could only succeed if he was light-skinned.

 

[Local.Dada]

Don't think it's quite as simple as that. Otherwise how do you explain white people spending money on sunbeds and tanning sprays in an effort to look darker? You could argue that everyone ideally wants to look somewhere in between.

It is often just what is seen as desirable down the ages. A couple of hundred years ago fat people were considered attractive, now you get girls suffering from anorexia trying to look like supermodels.

Looking tan is not the same thing as looking dark skinned. Having a tan back in the day meant that someone was working all day in the sun, that’s the real idea and attraction there. Not because they want to look like a different race.

I am surprised living in the “west” for as long as you say you did, you missed this simple concept and are thinking the tan is to look like a different race.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Looking tan is not the same thing as looking dark skinned. Having a tan back in the day meant that someone was working all day in the sun, that’s the real idea and attraction there. Not because they want to look like a different race.

I am surprised living in the “west” for as long as you say you did, you missed this simple concept and are thinking the tan is to look like a different race.

I didn't say anything about looking like a different race. To be honest I had to read your post a couple of times to try to work out what you were saying.

 

[Thomaskutty]

I didn't say anything about looking like a different race. To be honest I had to read your post a couple of times to try to work out what you were saying.

He called you out for your silly observation and rightly so. People do tans as a casual thing, tis a bit like getting a pedicure.. as opposed to permanently altering your complexion a la Michael Jackson bleaching his entire body because he didn't like being black.

 

[Giannis]

Look at some cricketers pictures of when they started in international cricket and look at them now.

Fair and Lovely zindabad.

I don't think that's the reason, people can look different depending on the lighting and angle and whether were playing outdoors recently or were spending more time indoors. Also camera quality has improved a lot over the years, an old 2 mega pixel camera from 2010 will obviously make you look darker/distorted than a pic from an Iphone 11 or Samsung s20.

 

[Local.Dada]

I didn't say anything about looking like a different race. To be honest I had to read your post a couple of times to try to work out what you were saying.

You having to read it a couple of times to get it , is not really a reflection on me is it?

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

He called you out for your silly observation and rightly so. People do tans as a casual thing, tis a bit like getting a pedicure.. as opposed to permanently altering your complexion a la Michael Jackson bleaching his entire body because he didn't like being black.

Working all day in the sun is a casual thing like getting a pedicure? Seems even you didn't understand what he was saying.

 

[Local.Dada]

Working all day in the sun is a casual thing like getting a pedicure? Seems even you didn't understand what he was saying.

Ok since I have to expand on something that was written in plain and simple English as English obviously is my 3rd language and that too to a proud western man, I have no problem giving this another go....

A person with a pale skin is considered as someone who never leaves the house or as the expression goes “getting some sun” which surprisingly you have never heard in Britain, anyways,

Having a tanned look means someone is rugged and works or works out all day in the sun. That’s an added attraction to the look. Of course it is “cosmetic” as most people don’t have those kind of jobs anymore.

Maybe it’s a cultural thing but someone who is an athlete, a working class person who has the tan is considered attractive , it has nothing to do with cultural or racial appropriation.


This is a level 1 attempt let me know if you have to read this a couple of more times as well. I don’t judge.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Ok since I have to expand on something that was written in plain and simple English as English obviously is my 3rd language and that too to a proud western man, I have no problem giving this another go....

A person with a pale skin is considered as someone who never leaves the house or as the expression goes “getting some sun” which surprisingly you have never heard in Britain, anyways,

Having a tanned look means someone is rugged and works or works out all day in the sun. That’s an added attraction to the look. Of course it is “cosmetic” as most people don’t have those kind of jobs anymore.

Maybe it’s a cultural thing but someone who is an athlete, a working class person who has the tan is considered attractive , it has nothing to do with cultural or racial appropriation.


This is a level 1 attempt let me know if you have to read this a couple of more times as well. I don’t judge.

So is someone in India who has a tan from working in the field considered rugged and attractive? I was under the impression they were considered more lowly and undesirable from all accounts. I think I may be getting confused because you are an Indian and I am not sure you are coming from the Indian angle or the white person's POV.

 

[Sirris]

Can it be considered racism, though?

What's the difference between favoring someone with a fair complexion vs someone with a particular height?

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Can it be considered racism, though?

What's the difference between favoring someone with a fair complexion vs someone with a particular height?

Well it depends on the situation. If you prefer to date someone of a certain height or skin color thats your choice. However if skin color would impact your employment opportunities, your chances of being arrested by the police, etc, then its a problem.

 

[uberkoen]

People from India/Pakistan are some of the most racist people you will find across the globe regardless of where they live.

 

[Romali_rotti]

People from India/Pakistan are some of the most racist people you will find across the globe regardless of where they live.

Agreed 100% brother. We are more racists than Caucasians can ever imagine to be...

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

People from India/Pakistan are some of the most racist people you will find across the globe regardless of where they live.

Do you think Pakistanis would rather there daughter marry a Black Muslim or a White non Muslim?
Do you think Pakistanis would support a Black Muslim or a White non Muslim in a sports match?
Do you think Pakistanis would feel more kinship to a Black Muslim or a White non Muslim?

 

[Romali_rotti]

Do you think Pakistanis would rather there daughter marry a Black Muslim or a White non Muslim?
Do you think Pakistanis would support a Black Muslim or a White non Muslim in a sports match?
Do you think Pakistanis would feel more kinship to a Black Muslim or a White non Muslim?

You need to rephrase these questions to:

Do you think Pakistanis would rather there daughter marry a Black Muslim or a White/lighter skinned Muslim?
Do you think Pakistanis would support a Black Muslim or a White/lighter skinned Muslim in a sports match?
Do you think Pakistanis would feel more kinship to a Black Muslim or a White/lighter skinned Muslim?

 

[Giannis]

You need to rephrase these questions to:

Do you think Pakistanis would rather there daughter marry a Black Muslim or a White/lighter skinned Muslim?

Pakistanis would rather their daughter marry someone from the same cultural background, a darker Pakistani would be given higher preference than a white muslim.

Do you think Pakistanis would support a Black Muslim or a White/lighter skinned Muslim in a sports match?

Doesn't matter in sports. Muslims support Muslims, period. Muhammad Ali had a huge following in Pakistan. Mo Salah probably has a much bigger fanbase in Pakistan than Karim Benzema and Salah is much browner than him.

Do you think Pakistanis would feel more kinship to a Black Muslim or a White/lighter skinned Muslim?

To all Muslims, it's not competition. Our mosques have more black muslims than white but even then we're all brothers in faith regardless of pigmentation.

 

[Giannis]

Can it be considered racism, though?

What's the difference between favoring someone with a fair complexion vs someone with a particular height?

Well it depends on the situation. If you prefer to date someone of a certain height or skin color thats your choice. However if skin color would impact your employment opportunities, your chances of being arrested by the police, etc, then its a problem.

People from India/Pakistan are some of the most racist people you will find across the globe regardless of where they live.

I recall a while back Capt Rishwat made a comment on a dark skin over weight Indian fellow, Now this dark skinned fellow was a Hindu extremist who made extremist comments against the muslims. However Captain's sarcastic comments were something like: I see a bright future for the hindutva movement lead by this ever handsome dark skinned leader, along those lines. I cant recall which post it was, however it was interesting to see a Pakistani that lives in Britain thinks the same way as the majority of the sub continental population in regards to skin colour.

It's called Colorism. Colorism and racism aren't neccesarily the same thing. Desis are indeed colorist however racism in the scientific sense that exists and was actually developed in Europe isn't as rampant. Pakistanis and Indians have a immature form of racism, it's about looks and skin color, we're not obsessed with measuring IQs, skull shapes and the other disgusting eugenic experiments that were practiced in European academia and were later by European empires on their colonized subjects. If you read about the history of racism in the Americas and other colonies throughout the world you would think twice before saying South asians "are the most racist across the globe", that's an overstatement and makes me question the persons exposure/understanding of other cultures and their knowledge of history.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

You need to rephrase these questions to:

Do you think Pakistanis would rather there daughter marry a Black Muslim or a White/lighter skinned Muslim?
Do you think Pakistanis would support a Black Muslim or a White/lighter skinned Muslim in a sports match?
Do you think Pakistanis would feel more kinship to a Black Muslim or a White/lighter skinned Muslim?

For the first question yea they would rather there daughter marry a white or a lighter skin Muslim than a Black Muslim. For the last two questions they would be neutral as far as sports and kinship would go.

But i don't think its fair to classify Pakistanis as some of the most racist people in the world, when other groups are far worse. Like the east Asians and Whites.Not saying that Pakistanis cant be better. They can and should, esp to ensure that Black Muslims are not offended.

Do you know in American Slavery the Caucasians made there own children, from the raped Black women, as slaves? Just because of there skin color.

Say what you want about the Pakistanis or Muslims, but they would not have done that.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

It's called Colorism. Colorism and racism aren't neccesarily the same thing. Desis are indeed colorist however racism in the scientific sense that exists and was actually developed in Europe isn't as rampant. Pakistanis and Indians have a immature form of racism, it's about looks and skin color, we're not obsessed with measuring IQs, skull shapes and the other disgusting eugenic experiments that were practiced in European academia and were later by European empires on their colonized subjects. If you read about the history of racism in the Americas and other colonies throughout the world you would think twice before saying South asians "are the most racist across the globe", that's an overstatement and makes me question the persons exposure/understanding of other cultures and their knowledge of history.

Yep, when it comes to getting married or dating desis would more often than not prefer lighter skin options. However what they would not do in the subcontinent, is when they see a darker shade person , assume that person is a thief, or violent, or dumb. They would not be scared of the person because of there skin color, and would not make frivolous calls to the police regarding them.

 

[Giannis]

Yep, when it comes to getting married or dating desis would more often than not prefer lighter skin options. However what they would not do in the subcontinent, is when they see a darker shade person , assume that person is a thief, or violent, or dumb. They would not be scared of the person because of there skin color, and would not make frivolous calls to the police regarding them.

Exactly, scientific racism is the domain of the Europeans. Read about how indigenous kids in America, Canada and Australia were taken away from their parents and put in boarding schools where they would be forced to adopt the white mans culture, way of life and mannerisms because their own culture was/is deemed inferior, same thing happened in Latin America with the Indians. Today Spanish and Portoguese have wiped native culture there due to the inquisition, you also have scientific racists in the west who measure the sizes of "you know what" of the men of different races and stereotype women of certain of races of being "submissive", the whole fetishization of Asian girls but White men (mostly borderline pedos) is rampant and absolutley disgusting.

 

[Romali_rotti]

First of all, I must apologize to Cap, he didn't directly mention skin tone of the person in discussion which I accused him off initially. So again Apologies.

However I did find the post he made, please view the thread;

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...u-are-17-don-t-oppose-CAA&highlight=karnataka

The person Cap was referring to is a dark person and below is his post, post no.4:

What a handsome fellow. I thought I was looking at a Bollywood star before reading the article. If the 80% look like this then India is one well blessed nation.

I do consider Cap's comment to be racist, as he is talking about a person's appearance in a sarcastic condescending manner and that to a fellow with dark skin.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

First of all, I must apologize to Cap, he didn't directly mention skin tone of the person in discussion which I accused him off initially. So again Apologies.

However I did find the post he made, please view the thread;

http://www.pakpassion.net/ppforum/s...u-are-17-don-t-oppose-CAA&highlight=karnataka

The person Cap was referring to is a dark person and below is his post, post no.4:

What a handsome fellow. I thought I was looking at a Bollywood star before reading the article. If the 80% look like this then India is one well blessed nation.

I do consider Cap's comment to be racist, as he is talking about a person's appearance in a sarcastic condescending manner and that to a fellow with dark skin.

He's also fat and has an out of date hair cut. You are assuming I was mocking his skin tone when in fact there is nothing in my quote to suggest that. Anthony Joshua is black and is indeed a very handsome fellow. This guy isn't and it has nothing to do with skin colour.

 

[Romali_rotti]

He's also fat and has an out of date hair cut. You are assuming I was mocking his skin tone when in fact there is nothing in my quote to suggest that. Anthony Joshua is black and is indeed a very handsome fellow. This guy isn't and it has nothing to do with skin colour.

Yeah, fair enough Cap. But I don't buy it though, my gut feeling tells me you wouldn't have made that comment if he was light skinned...

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Yeah, fair enough Cap. But I don't buy it though, my gut feeling tells me you wouldn't have made that comment if he was light skinned...

I would maybe do some introspection on your gut feeling then.

 

[Romali_rotti]

I would maybe do some introspection on your gut feeling then.

I have been on this earth a few more years than you son, my intuition is fine..

 

[Saj]

I don't think that's the reason, people can look different depending on the lighting and angle and whether were playing outdoors recently or were spending more time indoors. Also camera quality has improved a lot over the years, an old 2 mega pixel camera from 2010 will obviously make you look darker/distorted than a pic from an Iphone 11 or Samsung s20.

This doesn't come into it, if I am seeing the players face to face.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Maybe the governments can put a tax on the fairness creams to discourage consumption? Or boycott any person or channel that promotes them? Or if possible ban them all together.

Its one thing to have a preference for a certain skin color. That's a persons own choice. But you don't have to promote it.

 

[Giannis]

This doesn't come into it, if I am seeing the players face to face.

you can look different in person and on camera, it's not unusual.

 

[Sirris]

Well it depends on the situation. If you prefer to date someone of a certain height or skin color thats your choice. However if skin color would impact your employment opportunities, your chances of being arrested by the police, etc, then its a problem.

I am taking about in the context of Pakistan where skin complexion is a problem when it comes to marriages.

There are families where the skin complexion can range from very dark to very fair among siblings.

Another question:

If you were to select someone to take part in a sprinting competition without knowing anything about their fitness history, would the person you choose be likely of African decent or non-African decent?

I'd most likely choose an African.

Am I being racist?

 

[Sirris]

Maybe there are not many female posters here but I find it funny how we all seem to be aware of this problem and acknowledge it but in the end it's the South Asian female who are mostly effected by this problem of discrimination due to skin complexion.

Men can be carefree about this issue to some extent but find me one women who doesn't have anxiety over this issue, mostly due to the pressure of the society.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

I am taking about in the context of Pakistan where skin complexion is a problem when it comes to marriages.

There are families where the skin complexion can range from very dark to very fair among siblings.

Another question:

If you were to select someone to take part in a sprinting competition without knowing anything about their fitness history, would the person you choose be likely of African decent or non-African decent?

I'd most likely choose an African.

Am I being racist?

Yea most guys if everything else was equal would prefer a lighter skin color girl in marriage. Its ultimately a preference. Same way girls prefer guys prefer guys with higher income over guys with lower income. I don't think you can make a preference illegal. the problem would be if a lighter skin person has a higher chance of getting a job or being promoted for a job because of there skin color. Or if skin color causes you to be stereotyped for being a criminal. Or skin color is used to determine your intelligence.

And no not racist to choose the person of African descent to win a sprinting competition.

 

[Sirris]

Yea most guys if everything else was equal would prefer a lighter skin color girl in marriage. Its ultimately a preference. Same way girls prefer guys prefer guys with higher income over guys with lower income. I don't think you can make a preference illegal. the problem would be if a lighter skin person has a higher chance of getting a job or being promoted for a job because of there skin color. Or if skin color causes you to be stereotyped for being a criminal. Or skin color is used to determine your intelligence.

And no not racist to choose the person of African descent to win a sprinting competition.

Why is it not racist?

I am not trying to catch you. I am trying to understand the issue.

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

Why is it not racist?

I am not trying to catch you. I am trying to understand the issue.

Its not racist because you are not discriminating by placing a bet on the person of African heritage to win a sprinting competition. Racism would be if you deny the opportunity to non Africans to compete because you don't think they are good.

 

[Sirris]

Its not racist because you are not discriminating by placing a bet on the person of African heritage to win a sprinting competition. Racism would be if you deny the opportunity to non Africans to compete because you don't think they are good.

I am not the one who organizes the competition, I am just selecting my favored candidate. I have no other information available besides a list with the name of the candidates and their ethnicity.

Is my thought process racist for thinking that the African person would be better than the others solely because of his ethnic background?

In other words, am I being racist for thinking the Chinese candidate doesn't have it in him to win the race because of his ethnicity, since that's all the info I have?

Shouldn't I be picking any random candidate, regardless of their race and think anyone could make it?

If I do not want to live in a neighborhood where Africans are the largest inhabitants, am I being racist?

 

[Gharib Aadmi]

I am not the one who organizes the competition, I am just selecting my favored candidate. I have no other information available besides a list with the name of the candidates and their ethnicity.

Is my thought process racist for thinking that the African person would be better than the others solely because of his ethnic background?

In other words, am I being racist for thinking the Chinese candidate doesn't have it in him to win the race because of his ethnicity, since that's all the info I have?

Shouldn't I be picking any random candidate, regardless of their race and think anyone could make it?

If I do not want to live in a neighborhood where Africans are the largest inhabitants, am I being racist?

In terms of betting its not racism. Its your money you can put it on whoever you want.

As far as where you live, it should be your choice of where you live. Its racist if you stereotype that because its African majority it has more crime, or that its dangerous. But if you just dont want to live there its your choice.

 

[Cpt. Rishwat]

Maybe the governments can put a tax on the fairness creams to discourage consumption? Or boycott any person or channel that promotes them? Or if possible ban them all together.

Its one thing to have a preference for a certain skin color. That's a persons own choice. But you don't have to promote it.

I don't know if it's true or not, but I heard that skin bleaching treatments will actually damage the skin over the long term. That should be reason enough to ban them.

 

[MenInG]

Several Bollywood stars have been labelled "hypocrites" after speaking out against racism to lend support to global protests while promoting products in India designed to make people's skin lighter.

The actors were also trolled and accused of "cowardice" for their refusal to call out the attacks on India's minorities, mainly Muslims, while protesting against the killing of George Floyd in the United States.

A series of A-list Bollywood actresses, including Priyanka Chopra, shared posts on social media to protest against the death of Floyd who died in police custody after a white officer knelt on his neck for nearly nine minutes.

"End this race war here in the US, and around the world. Wherever you live, whatever your circumstances, NO ONE deserves to die, especially at the hands of another because of their skin colour," Chopra, 37, posted on Instagram.

⁣⁣People were quick to call her out on social media for previously promoting an "intense fairness moisturiser".

They also pointed at her role in a 2008 Hindi film, Fashion, in which she is ashamed of having sex with a black man.

"Thanks for speaking out for black lives. But, maybe also stop supporting a skin bleaching cream which promotes anti-blackness," one user replied to Chopra's Instagram post.

Chopra, a former Miss World who became a star in both Bollywood and Hollywood, has said in past interviews that she regretted endorsing such a product as a young actress and that she is proud of her dark skin.

She was not immediately available to comment.

Actresses Sonam Kapoor Ahuja, Deepika Padukone and Disha Patani also faced criticism for their anti-racism social media posts while having featured in ads for skin fairness products.

India's multibillion-dollar skin lightening industry has a host of products appearing to offer dark-skinned Indians a lighter, fairer and ostensibly "better" version of themselves, often endorsed by the Bollywood's top actors.

After years of criticism and campaigns against such products, many brands moved to calling them "skin brightening", "whitening" or "lightening" creams and face washes.

"Most brands no longer want to be associated directly with being termed as 'fairness creams'," said actor Abhay Deol, a vocal critic of fairness products and Bollywood's support of them.

Critics say the film industry helps feed India's obsession with fair skin and bias against darker faces, with many pointing out it fails to represent the diversity of Indians.

For example, actors from southern states where most people are darker-skinned are rarely seen in mainstream Bollywood films.

Last year, the film Bala featured the story of a woman who suffered discrimination because of her complexion, and actress Bhumi Pednekar had her skin darkened to play the role.

Social media users also questioned why Bollywood continued to write lyrics and dialogues that equated fairness with beauty.

Kangana Ranaut, a noted actress, spoke out against her Bollywood colleagues for promoting fairness products.

"These people, especially Indian celebrities, the successful ones ... have been endorsing all kinds of fairness products and today shamelessly they stand and say black lives matter - I mean how dare they?" she told the BBC in an interview.

Indian-American comedian Hasan Minhaj took on Bollywood for the endorsements as well on his news-comedy programme Patriot Act on Netflix.

'Cowardice to the fore'

Meanwhile, many in India also criticised the Bollywood actors for their silence when Indians face police atrocities and other forms of violence.

"So much respect for all the celebrities tweeting #BLACK_LIVES_MATTER. It takes courage to bring your cowardice to the fore when you tweet for American lives but can't tweet for Indian lives," tweeted Omar Abdullah, former chief minister of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir state, now divided into two federal territories.

Others asked why the Bollywood actors do not take a stand on contentious issues such as the "anti-Muslim" Citizenship Amendment Act (CAA) passed by the government late last year, or the protests and violence that followed after the passage of the law.

The CAA allows Indian citizenship for non-Muslim minorities from the neighbouring Pakistan, Bangladesh and Afghanistan. Critics say the law violates India's secular constitution.

"So our starlets who did not even whisper about the anti-Muslim carnage in Delhi, the spate of lynchings, the citizenship bill, the arrests of academics and intellectuals are outraging with the hashtag #BLACK_LIVES_MATTER. PUKE," journalist Rana Ayyub posted on Twitter.

Many social media users also called out the "hypocrisy" behind Bollywood actors expressing outrage over the death of a pregnant elephant in Kerala state, while maintaining silence on the imprisonment of activist Safoora Zargar, who was arrested in April despite being pregnant for protesting against the CAA.

The animal died last month after it reportedly ate fruit filled with explosives. Its death triggered a political controversy after right-wing forces attempted to communalise the issue by suggesting the culprit could be a Muslim, forcing Kerala Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan to flag a "hate campaign" over the issue.

Zargar, 27, is accused of being a "conspirator" behind the February violence in the Indian capital, in which 53 people were killed.

She has been charged under the Unlawful Activities Prevention Act, 2019 (UAPA), a stringent "anti-terror" law and has been denied bail thrice so far despite her health condition amid the coronavirus pandemic.

"Where has the outrage and empathy we rightly felt at the death of the elephant in Kerala gone in the case of Safoora Zargar, the Jamia student held in an overcrowded jail at COVID time?" asked filmmaker Bedabrata Pain in a column titled Human Cruelty and a Tale of Two Pregnancies for The Wire news website.

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2020...ammed-george-floyd-stand-200608032042418.html

 

[amax]

Looking tan is not the same thing as looking dark skinned. Having a tan back in the day meant that someone was working all day in the sun, that’s the real idea and attraction there. Not because they want to look like a different race.

I am surprised living in the “west” for as long as you say you did, you missed this simple concept and are thinking the tan is to look like a different race.

I agree white people dont tan to look non european , they want more sunkissed skin in their spectrum , similarly it goes the other way as well, I think most Pakistani/indians that want to look lighter skinned , like lighter skinned in pakistani/indian racial spectrum , i doubt they want to look straight up brits/germans lol.

 

[CricketCartoons]

I agree white people dont tan to look non european , they want more sunkissed skin in their spectrum , similarly it goes the other way as well, I think most Pakistani/indians that want to look lighter skinned , like lighter skinned in pakistani/indian racial spectrum , i doubt they want to look straight up brits/germans lol.

When an indian is told he doesn't look indian, he takes it as a compliment.

 

[amax]

When an indian is told he doesn't look indian, he takes it as a compliment.

not sure about this tbh, i have very limited experience with indians and didnt felt like this.

 

[El Generico]

Unilever to rename Fair & Lovely skin-lightening cream in India

The Indian arm of the consumer goods group Unilever says it will change the name of its skin-lightening cosmetics range Fair & Lovely and stop using terms such as “whitening” in its marketing, but will continue selling the popular product.

Hindustan Unilever announced the change on Thursday in response to years of calls to drop the branding or stop selling the creams, adverts for which have featured Bollywood celebrities and in the past promoted their ability to dramatically whiten complexions.

India’s skin-whitening creams highlight a complex over darker complexions

The company said the “evolution of its skincare portfolio to a more inclusive vision of beauty” would include removing the words fair/fairness, white/whitening and light/lightening from packaging and marketing and changing the brand name from Fair & Lovely over the next months.

We recognise that the use of the words ‘fair’, ‘white’ and ‘light’ suggest a singular ideal of beauty that we do not think is right, and we want to address this,” said Sunny Jain, a company executive. “As we are evolving the way we communicate the skin benefits of our products that deliver radiant and even-tone skin, it’s also important to change the language we use.”

The Unilever line is one of a range of skin-lightening and bleaching products that are popular in India, where pale skin continues to be listed as a desirable quality in marriage ads and pop singers entice imaginary lovers by boasting of their “white wrists”.

The preference for light skin in the subcontinent is often traced to hierarchies established during the British colonial era, but some scholars have found evidence for it in the Vedas, a collection of religious hymns and texts that influence the beliefs of many Hindus, as well as to caste divides and rivalries between north and south Indians.

More on: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2...lovely-skin-lightening-cream-inclusive-beauty


This is a good start and hopefully this change isn’t restricted to just India and is applied wherever this product is sold.

 

[sweep_shot]

They should change the name. I agree with this move.

 

[BreadPakoda]

It’s amazing that Unilever has been able to get away with this all these years.