Vaishnavi Preshanthe
“One’s skin tone is just the wrapping paper, what truly matters is the gift inside”. Sadly for content and character inside, a book is judged by its cover. Colour discrimination involves treating someone unfavourably because of one’s skin colour. But nature has always stood for “Unity in Diversity” as no matter what one’s skin complexion is, we all bleed red. Existence of different skin tones is due to the presence of melanin which causes pigmentation in our skin providing protection from UV radiations. Genes too play an important role leading us to be different hues.
Colourism has led to isolation instead of acceptance and appreciation of the diverse. Dark skin came to symbolise lower status and stigma, a wound that runs deep. A light complexion is regarded as identical with male and female beauty, racial superiority and continues to have a strong influence on status, marital prospects, employment and income.
India has always been a melting pot of different cultures and identities. It has never been a place of colour, but instead a place of categories. The caste system has divided the society into Brahmins (priests), at the top of hierarchy and in descending prestige, Kshatriyas (warriors), Vaishyas (merchants) and Shudras (labourers and artisans) based on one’s occupation and ability not on birth. Wide variety of caste, race and cultures cohered together on the foundation of “Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam”- the whole world is one family, India upholds its presence on the international platform for its harmony and unity.
The almost 200 years of colonisation of India by foreign White government has left behind legacy of fair skin biasness and derogatory outlook of the darker tones. The dark skinned Indians were less likely to be hired and given tedious jobs while light skinned Indians were closer to opportunities that were offered by white men. This led to a wedge separating lighter and darker shades of brown and leaving behind generations with intuitive desire to be fairer. For instance, Cosmetic Industries promoting products to be fairer and setting shallow beauty standards. Pencil companies selling ‘skin colour’ labelled crayons, far from the brown skin tone that Indians reflect and relate with.
Today India’s national and state governments are working for all round development and welfare of the public without any discrimination on the basis of caste, colour, ge 15, Constitution of India) through different policies and laws. The ‘National Hum Commission’ of India with its motto “Sarve Bhavantu Sukhinah”- may all be happ mission of promoting and protecting human rights. Still colour biasness is seen m rural areas at work places and even in domestic households as the evil is not well abo and dealt with. Indians should take pride in their culture and heritage like in the epic of ‘Mahabharat’ closely entwined in people’s hearts, characters like ‘Krishna’- Avatar of Lord Vishnu and ‘Krishnaa’- Draupadi, Lord Agni’s daughter have enchanting dark toned beauty which must be proudly reclaimed and resonated with.
In the international scenario, UN has its own “International Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination’ fighting injustice and stigma. The ‘United Nations Network on Racial Discrimination and Protection of Minorities’ has provided a platform for global discussions on racial discrimination and its prevention. The whole world has united for the cause and advocating “Inclusivity and Diversity” which is important for creating equitable environments.
The society needs to understand that skin and bones don’t make a person, one need to look beyond the surface and search for the core by being empathetic towards a fellow being and understanding to love the soul. “Beauty is skin deep”, deeper than the eyes can find it.
