Why is skin lightening stigmatized so heavily? (attractive, European, jobs)
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When celebrities get boob jobs, butt implants, Botox, chin lifts, nose jobs etc, people will think they are vain but I don't think I've ever heard someone say they are a self hater.
However when the ordinary black person in the US to black celebrities want to lighten their skin, They are suddenly self haters. People say they have self esteem issues.
Why? Why is it not valid for a black person to lighten their skin? I know creams like hydroquinone have been shown to cause cancer in rats but what about safer methods. I feel like it would still be stigmatized if it was safe. Why is this?
If you "never" heard anyone criticize a black celebrity for lightening their skin, then you must never have hear of a guy named "Michael Jackson". He received wave after wave of criticism.
If you "never" heard anyone criticize a black celebrity for lightening their skin, then you must never have hear of a guy named "Michael Jackson". He received wave after wave of criticism.
You supposition of a double standard is invalid.
I don't believe the OP indicated he had "never heard anyone criticize a black celebrity for lightening their skin."
My understanding is that the double standard exists due to the fact that people who get surguries like "boob jobs, butt implants, Botox, chin lifts, nose jobs etc" are considered vain.
However only people who get skin lightening surguies are considered a "self-hater". The double standard comes into play because all of these are physically altering your appearance in an attempt to be something that you consider more attractive.
As a simpler example, blonde hair is more typically found in those of northern European descent. It's very rare(I'm not sure if genetically even possible) for those of African descent to be naturally blonde. However, no one calls people a self hater for dying their hair blonde.
It is interesting to realize the strong connection between skin color and "self" that doesn't exist with any other part of the body.
OP, feel free to clarify I've I'm mistaken in my assumptions.
I don't believe the OP indicated he had "never heard anyone criticize a black celebrity for lightening their skin."
My understanding is that the double standard exists due to the fact that people who get surguries like "boob jobs, butt implants, Botox, chin lifts, nose jobs etc" are considered vain.
However only people who get skin lightening surguies are considered a "self-hater". The double standard comes into play because all of these are physically altering your appearance in an attempt to be something that you consider more attractive.
As a simpler example, blonde hair is more typically found in those of northern European descent. It's very rare(I'm not sure if genetically even possible) for those of African descent to be naturally blonde. However, no one calls people a self hater for dying their hair blonde.
It is interesting to realize the strong connection between skin color and "self" that doesn't exist with any other part of the body.
OP, feel free to clarify I've I'm mistaken in my assumptions.
I don't believe the OP indicated he had "never heard anyone criticize a black celebrity for lightening their skin."
My understanding is that the double standard exists due to the fact that people who get surguries like "boob jobs, butt implants, Botox, chin lifts, nose jobs etc" are considered vain.
However only people who get skin lightening surguies are considered a "self-hater". The double standard comes into play because all of these are physically altering your appearance in an attempt to be something that you consider more attractive.
As a simpler example, blonde hair is more typically found in those of northern European descent. It's very rare(I'm not sure if genetically even possible) for those of African descent to be naturally blonde. However, no one calls people a self hater for dying their hair blonde.
It is interesting to realize the strong connection between skin color and "self" that doesn't exist with any other part of the body.
OP, feel free to clarify I've I'm mistaken in my assumptions.
Quote:
Originally Posted by croftylot24
Yep...exactly what I was saying. Thanks
I read it again, at first I read it as skin whitening: celeb OK vs. people NOT OK... So, I retract my comment. Sorry, I mis-understood.
But I will also say that I do think there is a difference between boob jobs, butt jobs, chin lifts, hair coloring, and botox. Those are the fad of the day and done mainly to enhance those qualities that people find more desirable across the races.
But skin bleaching, hair straightening, and nose jobs (again, look at MJ who hit the trifecta) to me can indeed be thought of as denial of who you are because you are altering the features common with your race. This is why I personally would say that these latter qualities (especially when they are all combined) can be thought of as self-loathing or simply trying to make yourself look less like your own people.
But even with that note, I would say. If that is really what you want to do to yourself, you are not harming me so - have at it.
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