Colorism

How does colorism take shape in South Asia, and how can we combat it?

Colorism

Colorism in India, or discrimination based on skin tone, can be traced back to the history of colonialism and caste. The association of fairer skin with wealth, power, and social status has entrenched socioeconomic disadvantages and resulted in biased attitudes. Darker-skinned individuals face discrimination in various spheres of life, including employment, marriage prospects, and social acceptance. This prejudice is reinforced by the media, advertising, and popular culture, which consistently promote fair skin as the epitome of beauty and desirability.

It is crucial to challenge the deep-rooted systems and stereotypes that fuel colorism, and promote an acceptance that celebrates the richness of India’s diverse skin tones.

This lesson guide aims to equip Hindi teachers with the tools and resources necessary to initiate critical conversations about colorism in their classrooms. Through engaging activities and discussions, students will be encouraged to question colorist norms, confront their internal biases, and develop a broader understanding of the adverse impacts of colorism.

This page is inspired by and adds to content from Inclusive Hindi. For an in-depth case study of teaching about colorism in Hindi, visit the Inclusive Hindi website.

Activities

Task 1.1 (for teachers)

Divide the class into two groups. Ask one group to search for Hindi songs celebrating fair skin and the other group to search for Hindi songs celebrating dark skin. After five minutes, ask the students to share the song lyrics they find with the other group. AI can be used.

Task 1.2

Provide a 2–3 minute response to one of the following prompts. Base your response on information from 1–2 of the articles below:

Prompt 1:

Is there an emphasis placed on fair skin in American society? What about in Indian society? Focusing on the Indian case, has anyone ever become Miss India who is not proverbially “fair”? Why, even today, are descriptions of skin color included in major newspapers’ matrimonial ads? Why do social media users make negative comments about darker-skinned actresses, models, and ordinary people? What negative traits are they associating with darker skin?

Prompt 2:

Where does the enthusiasm for fair skin come from? What are the reasons for this cultural preference, and what role do Bollywood films, storylines, actor castings, and songs play in encouraging this way of thinking?

Contemplate the case of “Fair and Lovely,” a particularly popular skin-whitening cream among the many skin-lightening products in Indian society. What effect do advertisements for skin-whitening products have on social customs? What are the social consequences of not conforming to light-skinned beauty ideals?

Prompt 3:

Hindustan Unilever, which manufactures “Fair and Lovely,” has rebranded the product as “Glow and Lovely.” How meaningful is this step? Will it have any effect on mitigating colorism in Indian society?

Similarly, matrimonial sites have removed skin tone filters in the face of criticism. Will steps like these be successful in breaking negative associations with dark skin? What role do the media and government have in breaking these associations?

Colorism

Colorism

Activities

Further Reading