why do indian people praise light fair skin over dark skin when there are so many beautiful dark people?

Question

i mean if you see in the US we have white people getting tans that come naturally with indian people....why then in india do we praise and idealize fairness....i mean especially old people ive noticed such as my grandmother-whenever they talk about someone being beautiful they always say first "oh she is so white"
i mean WHAT is UP with that?

on one hand you o critisizing westerners and then you wanna look like them? also arent there many actresses who are dark? dont they look beautiful...i have seen so many beautiful ladies with dark skin and indian people dont look at their features but their color...are we racist against ourselves bc judging from india's climate and our gene pool, darker color is desirable and really genes dont even affect color as much as environment...
but indian people are so against being dark it seems...i am sick of the superficiality...and the business they run on fairness products!

Answer 1

India has the "caste" system. Their skin color (among other things) affects their stature in society there. They can be denied education, jobs etc. We have something similar in this country also. It's called discrimination. When these people arrive in the US where anyone of color is pigeon-holed anyway, the lighter their skin the more they feel they might be able to fit in and become a success in the US. Light skin equals easier transition and a more successful life.

Fear and ignorance makes people "praise" light skin because there are those out there, who want everyone to believe that anglo whites are the chosen people of God. Think of the blonde, blue-eyed Jesus that everyone prays to. Jesus was actually a man of color, not white color either.

Answer 2

England really messed up Indian in terms of Imperialism and self Image. In indian culture light skinned was treated with more respect because it proved that you were more privileged (didn't have to work out in the sun). but that had more to do with having to tan outside rather than your natural skin color. England Implemented the caste system which made fairer people on top with them most respect and benefits and darker propel doing the most degrading,humiliating jobs. they were pitted against one another. Divide And Conquer technique. Even 100 years after England finished with them,there still is a lot of negative connotations with dark skin that has been permanently ingrained in Indian culture.

Answer 3

I have German, black dutch, and Indian nationality's in me.
I do not tan, or think if I was lighter or darker I would be prettier. I think everyone has different features, and that is what makes them an individual. I have seen women with different pigment, and they are pretty to me. I guess some people are raised, if you don't have dark skin... you are too white. If you have dark skin, your too dark? Someone will always have an opinion and beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Answer 4

Your vision is partial - beauty does not on skin. If you are attracted with a person, it is the attraction of the hormones in that person and in you, not not for your eyes. This is also a part of the universal maintenance of God, which quality is inscribed in your mind and body. (emp. different blood groups). external Eyes are not merely the organ, but there is an eye in your brain that supports and give distinction with your external eyes. If you listen a sweet voice over telephone, you would be impressed, and you would say 'a beautiful voice' - how. If you deal with that sweet voice for long and thereafter go to meet the person, you would be having a lot of fond memories, to an ugly or handicapped figure. Neither white, not black is beautiful, but the God's part in them is beautiful and attractive.

Answer 5

I am not Indian nor do i know a lot about it ... but i also heard that on Americas next top model ... the girl who was Indian did not feel she was beautiful because all her life her culture taught her being light skined was what is beautiful. I think its very sad ... butttt I'm guessing the reasoning behind it is just that *everyone wants what they don't have*. Maybe because the majority of Indian women are dark complected... the men want something different. I don't know? Maybe its more deep than that ? I'm not sure.

Answer 6

Due to the Elizabethean Era white skin became a trend, along with other influences throughout the eras.

Elizabeth I became one of Britain’s most celebrated users of cosmetics. During her reign (1558-1603) women used a white lead face paint and mercury sulfide for rouge, but the lead was mixed with vinegar to create a paste called "ceruse." (And when in Rome, do as the Romans do)

Coupled with white powdered wigs, this "ceruse" look became the height of fashion during the 16th century for male and female alike. The ceruse mixture made the skin extremely Pale and white. Pale skin was a sign of nobility, wealth and delicacy. In an age when skin problems and the pox were commonplace and treatments for such out of reach for all but the wealthy, smooth, unblemished and pale skin was a rarity. The ceruse mixture was applied to the neck and bosom as well as the face.

The first record of its use was in 1521, and by the time Elizabeth’s reign was fully established, it was considered an essential item for the fashionable woman and male of the day. Of course this was only for the ladies of the court. The lower and middle classes did not have the time or resources to devote to serious makeup. Thus White skin became a sign of WEALTH, not the sun darkened skins of slaves and maid-sevants.

A revival (of makeup) occurred during the 1800s. During this era, white skin signified a life of leisure while skin exposed to the sun indicated a life of outdoor labor. In order to maintain a pale complexion, women wore bonnets, carried parasols, and covered all visible parts of their bodies with whiteners and blemish removers. Unfortunately, more than a few of these remedies were lethal.

When slavery ended, racism did not end with it, but became a tool by which the wealthy could divide the poor Blacks from poor whites. Racism, in the “golden age” of imperialism at the end of the 19th century and into the 20th century took it's toll and thus
further promoted the white skin is beautiful idiosyncrasy due to there wealth and prominence during those eras.

BRITISH INFLUENCE and settlers came upon India as well as other countries in 1800 and early 1900's. Britain and later on the U.S. (Westerners) are considered prominent countries, and this prominence was ASSOCIATED to the majority race at that time the caucassian race which are pale skin. Thus this coupled with many years of Pale skin influence it has affected the perception of many.

Since people revere Wealth and Prominence throughout the ages it's only natural that through the ages this influence has resonated in less prominent countries alike, this has caused your grandmother and other olders ones alike to have been influenced in this manner to view ONLY Pale skin as beautiful, and attractive.

This day and age, has changed that, and now a tan is the popular trend in the U.S. which signifies you have not only the time but the money to leisure in the sun, travel and take vacation.

Answer 7

English colonization, adapting to the white way of doing things-that was one of the thing the English brought with them.
...and yes, Precious it was wrong, but it is still being perpetuated by people who don't know any better.
They did it in America, they did it everywhere they went. And they could always make 1/2 white babies and show then special favor and make the "trick look realistic", by showing favor to lighter 1/2 white children they created an artificial situation in the culture,t he people felt compelled to respond to . Remember the white controlled the governments, military, businesses, import and export - colonization is a *****...for the colonized people.

Answer 8

see,as the saying goes,the grass is always greener on the other side,in this case,we don't find being dark-skinned a pleasure,because in many parts of India,there is a discrimination between fair and dark people.it is said that it is hard to marry off a dark skinned person.dark-skinned people have been associated with being slaves and always have been looked upon.
i suggest you to read the books uncle tom's cabin and roots for reference.

Answer 9

It's not that Indian people praise fair people but they desire to have a fair n flawless complexion.That's coz most of them think fair is always flawless,tough that's not true.I believe that there is a difference between fair and white ,we Indians like to be fair not white.too fair complexion is also not considered too good.
about the grandmothers now.don't u think they think of sharp features esp. sharp nose rather than fair complexion?

Answer 10

oh yeah it is so true! i hate it too!
white skin is praised a lot in indian society.
you know, i have seen beautiful women with dark skin and i have also heard people saying, "yeah , she looks good within the people who have dark skin." i mean what the hell is that suppose to mean!!!