What is the big deal in black women lightening there skin?

Question

Okay so basically..i c a big double standard.

Asians, indians, and even white people lighten there skin and it is just seen as another beauty regimen.

but when a black person lighten there skin it is a disgrace?

isn't it the same thing as whites wanting that golden tan?? SOme will fry themselves until it reaches that color..KNOWING that they will eventually turn back to the original color?

What is the big deal..?? Why is there such a stigma on black folks who lighten?

I'm black by the way..just asking out of curiosity??

exactly what's the big deal in caucasion tanning?

but it's not like caucasions also don't try to live up to the european standards of beauty.

They are just as molded. They just already have the skin color down!

There are alot of more lightening by women than men. so my perspective is that women are constantly conforming to what most men deem attractive..USUALLY light skinned.

Men feel the pressure when women start to make big deal out of certain type of guys..as now you seee alot of metrosexuals walking around now..

so, when u really think about it..everyone is trying to get that standard beauty..

If you are straightening ur hair..isn't that a form of betraying africanness?

Why can't it be as simple as some people do it some people don't who cares?

Also, A lot of white people wish the the tanning color would be perfect. Often making a weekly routine...even some do tanning more than once a day!

So it's not really becuz whites know they can go back to that color..

CORRECTION: *permenant" NOT perfect! LOL

I think alot of black people are using CHEAP whitening products..or products not even designed to whiten.

If black people use more quality products, it would probably not seem so horrible! Not enough research is being done on how to properly and safely lighten skin!!

Alot of people don't even think about being "white" when lightening. More so having a nice even complexion. There are alot of beautiful dark skin people..and they are beautiful because of there clean smooth glowing skin. However, alot of people don't have that attractive skin and these products help to eliminate marks, even skin tone, and give an overall glowing complexion..

I think that's what most people are yearning for. However, if someone is unsatisfied with there skin complexion..its seems wrong..but so what? As long as it is done safely and with quality products its not hurting the person at all. The same goes for tanning! It's just as simple as relaxing the hair..no harm done..

Answer 1

I agree with you honey. Its hypocritical. I am white and freckly and I use fake tan to even out my complexion (Its far better than risking skin cancer by tanning)- so if someone with darker skin wanted to lighten it, more power to them! Its like the saying 'We always want what we don't have'. Its human nature.

Answer 2

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Answer 3

Well all I have to say is, it would be odd if someone is against "colorism" & for lightening their skin. I would hate for that to become more of a trend, considering all the dark complexion girls (& boys-yes-believe it!) already with self-esteem problems. Is that really the solution or should we introducing the appreciation of the beauty of dark skin into our culture. This is already a problem in some parts of the world.
http://www.jamaicans.com/articles/primecomments/0902_bleaching.shtml
Plus when you have children they still are going to come out your original skin color. At what age should a parent start bleaching their children's skin? Then where does it stop? Trying to marry different races or ethnicities to lighten your gene pool? There are already ppl like this now. I don't see how its not a self-esteem issue, but I'm sure many disagree.

As far as tans go, I always thought it being such a big part of caucasian ppl's culture was odd, being that the world mostly follows a caucasin standard of beauty. Maybe darker complexion caucasians like Italians are seen as more attractive or something. Tho to me they look really similar to Latinos sometimes.

Answer 4

As you probably already know, the skin lightening potions came out of the Asian countries and made their way to Africa and the Caribbean. The Japanese, in particular have always had a fondness for very white skin. While many of those countries seem to find the skin lightening process acceptable, black people generally have a sense of shame about it. Many black people who lighten their skin won't confess to it because they are ashamed to let anyone know that they have caved in to the European standard of beauty.

Black people have never been traditionally shown as beautiful. Therefore, it should not surprise anyone that many blacks are more attracted to lighter skin. It is the standard of beauty they have been exposed to. That's why it seems perfectly normal and acceptable for white people to to get a tan, since they can choose to revert to their light complexion as they choose. Once you are born black, that's it and you have to deal with all the prejudice that goes along with it. As a black person, I, too, would be ashamed to ever consider lightening my skin. It would seem like a betrayal, and an insult to people of African heritage. Be who you are and accept the fact that every race has its own beauty.

Answer 5

The big deal is that it stems from the wrong sort of thinking that darker skin is less attractive or somehow hideous. In India, it is kind of a controversial thing among some people, because they understand that it is problematic thinking. Even though the skin-lightening cream market in india is huge, some people see that it is kind of sad that darker people feel that they have to go to such great lengths to be "more beautiful." People should just be who they are.

Also people who tan do not usually tan to a "chocolate brown" color (dark skin ) it is usually just that tan, orangy, light brown color. And this is something that is considered to be a more healthy look.

Answer 6

I think black women should lighten their skin, if they feel the need too or if would make them more attractive. I see it as a beauty treatment. People who would criticize you for making yourself more attractive feel threatened. Men and women because they prefer you to remain unattractive so you would remain at a severe disadvantage and exploitable. It's about control. My thing is, all women need to do what they need to do to be more attractive. If you can do it safely without harming your health, then have a field day!

Answer 7

Good question.It all has to do this low selfesteem.
Some black women think that if you are "lighter" you will do better in life...since they probaly always see the media displaying light skinned women.But,they need to realize just because you are light or dark skinned,you are still counted as black.

This is the same thing for the tanning question.They see stuff on the media and get discouraged for who they are.Yes,the tan is not going to stay forever,so what is the point?

Well,to sum it up...people should just accept who they are.It is what makes us all diverse and unique.

Answer 8

Honestly, it is the exact same when a dark Eastern Indian woman, Mexican, etc feels pressure to darken their skin. Why would black ppl be exempt from this behavior? It is stemming from an overall global emphasis on the value placed in being of European decent. Either way, ppl are denying a part of who they are to change for some outside pressure.

Answer 9

Sure... some black women lighten their skin to be "lighter"... but most lightening creams are supposed to be used for blemishes. Whenever I get a pimple and it heals, that spot stays dark for MONTHS!! I used to use a lightening cream on those spots only, but now I don't even bother. Because of the increased melanin in our skin, cuts and pimples and crap like that leave dark spots. Also, our elbows and knees can get darker for some reason. Of course, we'd like to be the same color all over! I think that's the whole intention of the lightening creams in the first place... no women I know use those creams so they can be lighter in complexion. I know that happens, but I think its rare. But that's an interesting point your bring up when you compare it to tanning... I never even thought of it that way.

Answer 10

well i do not know many people from different cultures but i feel that when someone who is black lightens him/herself as in bleach out as in no melanin/// they want to be white and wanting to be white is holding on to the days of slavery when white people were seen as 'better' and in many cases gods.

apart from that many chemicals that Jamaican women use are very hazardous and will not only damage skin but breathing. bleaching makes us more vulnerable to skin cancer and some people bleach and have to wear umbrellas all day and thick layers of makeup to prevent their skin from rolling away.

i mean you an use lighteners to make ur complexion more even because many times we have spots and sometimes our faces are darker than the rest of us but totally whitening your body, black women is going too far.