Colour-based discrimination, Dark or Fair

DR. SHWETHA RAHUL, 

CONSULTANT DERMATOLOGIST AESTHETIC PHYSICIAN, 

KAUVERY HOSPITAL, CHENNAI

In our country, even today, there is widespread judgement and prejudice based on skin color. Ever since the baby is born, it is ingrained in their head that being fair is only accepted and dark skin tones are not. There is a myth that the consumption of saffron in milk by carrying mothers, will form fair babies despite both the parents being dark. The moment a child is born, relatives start comparing siblings’ skin color, a fair skinned baby being labelled “beautiful” and a darker one not so. This fair skin bias reflects on the child throughout their entire life. They are subjected to a battery of fairness creams, beauty therapies, dermatological procedures, with an illusion of a miraculous fairness transformation.

      This creates a sense of insecurity and lack of confidence in the children, and they carry this scar lifelong. This feeling of insecurity is perceived even by high flying officials, excellent sportspersons, academicians with illustrious careers, especially when they confront clients and during important presentations. This color-based inferiority always remains at the back of their minds. This situation is still prevalent in our country. In this context, Dr. Shwetha Rahul addresses this issue and advises all the parents to teach their children how to love themselves. Introduce your child to this everyday activity by looking into the mirror and appreciating themselves as soon as they wake up in the morning. Dark is beautiful must be the mantra. This is to every dark, dusky, black child out there. We glorify dark skinned Superstars and Gods described dark in Puranas. So, love yourself and don’t let anybody put you down, based on your skin colour.