Your Friendly Philosopher & Guide

One way I am happy that Shilpa Shetty, who didn’t have any other option but to shake her panty less butt on the silver screen to make a living, was shot to international fame just because some European commented on her skin colour. But then it happens in India day in and day out for all the people – who are darker than the other.

“How do you find women in Chennai?” I asked one of my North Indian friends, a fair guy, and he replied, “fat, dark and ugly.” I understand from him that he doesn’t prefer fat women. Ugly – yes who don’t look good. But then why DARK!! Why is dark still used as a derogatory comment?

The ad campaign says - a girl might not get a good groom or a good job until she uses Fair & Lovely cream to become fairer. And a man might not attract many women until and unless he uses Emami’s Fair & Handsome cream. And this happens in India – where from international standards all are considered black. Why is this rat race towards becoming fairer still on?

If we really love our colour, and accept ourselves as we are – then why is fairness cream a multimillion business in India?

I have seen few top stars out of fad saying they don’t like fair complexion, they prefer darker people – then why there is not a single cream that promises to make you darker? The truth is – we still have this craving to become fairer and we still look at Europeans and Americans with awe!

I know many a people who have been subject to racist attacks in foreign nations. In Belgium they say – those white skinned people won’t sit next to you if they understand you are an Asian. Ask yourself – how many times have you stared at a Niger in India the same way you have stared at an American? We need to accept that the colour Black is considered bad, and still used as a derogatory term - all over the world!

At the corner of my heart I feel a lot happier when an Indian, who is considered fair in India, is called Black in foreign countries. At least by this he will understand, how the real blacks of India feel at the hands of fair Indians!