why Indians (from India) are sensitive about their skin?

Question

I have a friend that have a son.. One time he, while sitting down with his Indian friends, commented about someone who was having dark skin passing by. He said... "His skin is like Indians..." Then their friend suddenly got angry and told the parents about it. Their parents got angry also until they brought it up to the faculty.. Why?? Why it bothered them so much? I am here, in International dormitory, with many people from 21 country.. I never..never.. think about our race differences. But when that issue came, I am becoming aware of some "sensitive part" that some race have... Can you, I really appreciate if you know for sure not just guessing, help me to understand this? Thx

Answer 1

Race is very deeply embeded in cultures.
Depending on the culture and the value system, colour rasism on colour is stronger or weaker.

The difference is more or less tdependant on how we differentiate ourselves in terms of status. (cultural system is about that mainly)

In US for example the first multicultural society, the status criteria are based on money and possessions. Things you earn during your lifetime mainly becouse of yor actions.Remember the American Dream? So colour in these days is not basis of racism as has being substituted by poverty.

In India and generally in countries where the societies are still agaritarian (agricultural), people status is based on their physiological features: a) colour, b) body structure, and social cast. So that explains why Indians are so obsessed with colour.

I hope that helps a bit.
dp