Comments on: White Sells, and It’s Toxic

By: Ekua

Ekua — Thu, 17 Mar 2011 03:31:00 +0000

I am well aware of the fact that in certain Asian countries, the origins of skin lightening lies in having the luxury to stay out of the sun. As I was writing this article, it’s something that definitely came up, especially because that history is comparable to tanning in the U.S. today. As Tieg says below, tanning can also indicate status by showing others that you have time to go on vacation or lay out in the sun.

But the focus of this article veered more towards how race impacts the present of skin lightening. I’m with you on how the yearning to have light skin originated in certain places, but I would say that currently, the main thing that perpetuates it is a more global and racial bias about what “beauty” entails.

By: Lucyloo4

Lucyloo4 — Tue, 15 Mar 2011 05:36:00 +0000

You need to do your research!
In Asia, having a darker complexion is akin to having a tan i.e. working outside, such as in a field or farm yard, which traditionally was a job reserved for the lower classes. The upper echelons of society were usually shaded and/or fully covered as having a tan or ‘colour’ was seen as common, or giving away one’s status in life. The skin lightening creams, such as the Oil of Olay brand, are to get rid of the class revealing shade that having a tan would indicate. No doubt many would say that this is one and the same, however, the darker the skin indicates the more common the class. And yes, studies show that there is a prominent link between the social determinants of health and race, however, in the case of skin lightening, race is not just a factor.

By: tieg

tieg — Fri, 11 Mar 2011 18:32:00 +0000

It could also be compared to tanning in that Westerners desire a tan to show they have the luxury to lay around on the beach all day, etc. While, people in East Asia prefer light skin to show that they aren’t low-class workers, working up a tan in the fields all day.. (just as Westerners used to prefer light skin for the same reason.)
I wonder how much this plays in to the desire for lighter skin vs. historical racism/colonialism.

By: Elvischild76

Elvischild76 — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 09:29:00 +0000

its a complete disgrace and shows not just historical racism but also the power of the media to manipulate and enforce ‘ideals’ on women. the same is happening in the west with the ‘ideal’ of being deeply tanned leading to many fair skinned women risking skin cancer via sun/sunbed exposure. and it is often the ame companies (eg l’oreal) selling the fake tan to the west and the skin lightening to the south…

By: Wendy

Wendy — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 01:08:00 +0000

Great article! It reminds me nylons that claim to be “nude” but they’re only “nude” for white women. Racism is everywhere even if it’s unintended.

By: Katherine

Katherine — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 00:10:00 +0000

I’ve been wanting to write on this for so long, am glad you did. Great article!