Why do some East Indians think light skin is superior to dark skin? Brainwashed? Or just plain crazy?

Answer 1

This phenomenon is hardly limited to East Indians. Many racial groups practice internal discrimination based on more subtle differences in appearance; for example, rifts in the black community between light and dark-skinned people (or those with straightened hair versus natural hair) are well-known and have been much discussed.

Answer 2

Is it not ironic that white people agonise over racism, especially in Britain where we tip toe around calling a black board a chalk board so as not to offend the darker chap in the third row.
Yet in India and also amongst Africans, many try and lighten their skin to look like white people. Michael Jackson went the whole hog and became a new species!
It looks like every race has its prejudices, and it is not only white people. The most racist people I have come across are the Japanese, and they don't see it that way. They are just proud to be what they are and don't want mixing of others in their society, something we are not allowed to think about in Britain anymore.
People should not get so hung up on race. Call a spade a spade I say...Oh no, I can't because that might offend.....

Answer 3

They sell skin lightening creme in China. Made by major cosmetics companies too. Certainly has to do with westerners and world media.

It can also be what is different and exotic to them. Many westerners like asian women and it's only natural for this to be reciprocal. We try to tan and look dark and they want to lighten themselves. Not racial or anyone thinks another race is superior but just a sense of exotisicm.

Are white people just plain crazy for wanting a tan? Have they been brainwashed? Is it self hate of thier race? of course not. Just trying to look good.

Answer 4

You know every one feels that the grass is greener on the other bank of the river. Trust me , the lighter skinned guys and gals spend their time and hard earned money in their efforts to darken their skin, while the dark skinned one spend equal effort in lightening their skin colour. So its plain crazzy . Man BE happy with what u have coz u never want to know the afflictions of the other guy.

Answer 5

It may hav something to do with the caste systems. Brahmins tend to be paler becoz they didn't need to go out and labour in the fields. It establishes hierarchy by providing a physical sign of superiority of one group of ppl. over another.

Another thing is that in India A man is very judged by his woman as the woman is by the man. But more specifically by the woman's appearance. If a man possess a fair wife he is more highly regarded than a man who posses a darker one.

Its pretty superficial thinking, but it all goes back to this tendency of humans to establish hierarchy where ever they go. It just keeps our minds occupied and gives us something to aim for.

Really, its just another way to create some kind of meaning and purpose out of our lives using superficiality. Which we all know at the end of the day is only a novelty and not necessarily important or vital.

Answer 6

East INdians? What about blacks here? The lighter the better. I get so many black guys/white/hispanic/Indian guys looking at me only because I'm light and have different features. People are prejudice everywhere. Light skin is seen as better than dark.

Answer 7

Basically, their skin colour difference came about because of their lifestyles. The northern/eastern people were more wealthy and hence were able to avoid heavy labour under the sun. Whereas the southern people were less well off, having to work long hours in the sun (manual labour) . This is where the "divide" began.

Answer 8

Several of the eastern hemisphere countries have cultures who equate dark skin with farm and rice paddy workers, light skin means you are well to do or educated like an office worker.
They say only in America do rich people have boats (recreational) and go out to get tan / darker on purpose .

Answer 9

As all of us else right here referred to, you submit a %of common looking darkish Indian farm women folk next to easy skinned Indian women folk in bikinis and makeup. the easy skinned ones are in all likelihood fashions. Yeah honest assessment there guy. that's like choosing some common Jane White women folk from rural Alabama and stacking them against California hottie White chicks. not honest. there are a number of beautiful darkish skinned human beings accessible, regrettably they have a tendency to be below represented.

Answer 10

I don't know. Most South Asians feel that way though. I'm from Bangladesh and my skin is also darker that many peoples'. My mom is extremely fair and she's always mourning the fact that my skin is dark ...