What is Colourism?
This article will take approximately 2 minutes to read
Published 18 May 2022 in Raising Awareness
Read our update today from EmbRACE working group member, Mandy Kaur, who shares an insight into 'colourism' and its recent media spotlight on the Netflix Bridgerton series.
How Edwina Sharma the brown-skinned debutante played out my childhood fantasy as she takes the romantic lead in Bridgerton
When I was a child, the concept of meeting prince charming was nothing more than fiction. Cinderella was my all-time favourite story, but she looked nothing like me, a blonde-haired angelic figure with beautiful bold eyes, so how could I compare? But I related to her story because she emerged from scarcity with the power of magic and a fairy godmother, transforming into a princess. But who was my fairy godmother and when would she arrive?
As a South Asian woman, I struggled with my complexion. My mum would tell me not to stay out in sun too much because I might tan, “okay mum”, as I stayed inside and watched other kids laugh and run around in the luminous world outside.
Of course, there were comments, but I never paid much attention, I followed the rules, so this only magnified as I got older I remember my nan returning from her trip to India, and I thought “yes! Presents”! And then she hands me a tube of Fair & Lovely cream. Yes, that’s right...it meant exactly that, claiming to “brighten” and “lighten” your face. Of course, she sold it to me with her smile and the promises of beauty. In fact, I think about it now and I remember all the times I would stay out of the sun, dye my hair blonde, wear different coloured contact lenses and perhaps this was my subconscious effort to be Cinderella?
With this, as I sat completely captivated watching Season 2 of Bridgerton*, my heart glows from seeing the representation of two brown-skinned debutantes, my skin beams shades of a proud brown. I am a Punjabi woman, my heritage is rich with vibrant stories of love and hope, spirited aromatic spices fill my home.
Colourism**, I’d never heard of it but when I understood the magnitude of the theory, I know that there is work to do, in empowering people like me, us, you.
* Actresses Simone Ashley and Charithra Chandran make a lasting impression as they play Kate and Edwina Sharma in Bridgerton.
** ‘Colourism is the practice of favouring lighter skin over darker skin. The preference for lighter skin can be seen within any racial or ethnic background.'
Article Written by Mandy Kaur – Embrace Group Member