Mathia Griffith
While being in South Africa we have visited many markets, specifically while in Johannesburg. In each market visited there were many women selling skin bleach and other skin whitening and brightening products. Upon reflecting on this it has made me consider how globalization and westernization have negative impacts on people of color specifically in this context and what that does to the community.
In every market, as I've stated skin bleach could be found, there were different brands as well as lotions, soaps, and different creams. When asking a tour guide of ours about the skin bleach he shared that skin bleaching is popular among the women because they want to be lighter. This is an idea also popular in the United States where those deemed the most beautiful are white and this creates colorism within the black community. South Africa the majority of the population is black, and for this reason it was difficult for me to grasp the self hate within the black community in the country, however, in both the US and South African context those in power who hold the standard of beauty are white.
In addition to the racial makeup of the country globalization also makes it so that black Africans receive the same anti black messages as the US. Eurocentric beauty standards are spread internationally which leads to things such as skin bleaching in black communities, comparatively countries like Jamaica where the population is mostly black there is also an increase of skin bleaching as countries become more westernized and the people get connected through social media and T.V. seeing these negative messages.
While countries being connected on an international level due to globalization is positive one cannot ignore the negative affect is has on non white people. Feelings of self hate arise when they cannot and do not fit into the mold of this European white standard. More than just receiving negative anti-black messages from media, little black children are seen with princess backpacks with solely white princesses with long flowing hair and I have seen children as young as six having braid extensions. Young black children also receive these negative messages and also receive toys and accessories not representative of their culture or appearance. I saw many princess backpacks with Ariel, and Cinderella but not one of Tiana, the only black princess, however that back pack is hard enough to find in America so it only makes sense that it wouldn't be around as much as the other backpacks.
Overall globalization, while though it does good, proves harmful to non white groups. Anti black messages are so powerful where in a majority black country black skin is still deemed ugly. They are not beautiful due to dealing with racist minority in their country while also receiving these messages from western and European messages and from there stems self hate, tied in with the lack of representation from other countries as well. In this way globalization negatively affects black people.
While being in South Africa we have visited many markets, specifically while in Johannesburg. In each market visited there were many women selling skin bleach and other skin whitening and brightening products. Upon reflecting on this it has made me consider how globalization and westernization have negative impacts on people of color specifically in this context and what that does to the community.
In every market, as I've stated skin bleach could be found, there were different brands as well as lotions, soaps, and different creams. When asking a tour guide of ours about the skin bleach he shared that skin bleaching is popular among the women because they want to be lighter. This is an idea also popular in the United States where those deemed the most beautiful are white and this creates colorism within the black community. South Africa the majority of the population is black, and for this reason it was difficult for me to grasp the self hate within the black community in the country, however, in both the US and South African context those in power who hold the standard of beauty are white.
In addition to the racial makeup of the country globalization also makes it so that black Africans receive the same anti black messages as the US. Eurocentric beauty standards are spread internationally which leads to things such as skin bleaching in black communities, comparatively countries like Jamaica where the population is mostly black there is also an increase of skin bleaching as countries become more westernized and the people get connected through social media and T.V. seeing these negative messages.
While countries being connected on an international level due to globalization is positive one cannot ignore the negative affect is has on non white people. Feelings of self hate arise when they cannot and do not fit into the mold of this European white standard. More than just receiving negative anti-black messages from media, little black children are seen with princess backpacks with solely white princesses with long flowing hair and I have seen children as young as six having braid extensions. Young black children also receive these negative messages and also receive toys and accessories not representative of their culture or appearance. I saw many princess backpacks with Ariel, and Cinderella but not one of Tiana, the only black princess, however that back pack is hard enough to find in America so it only makes sense that it wouldn't be around as much as the other backpacks.
Overall globalization, while though it does good, proves harmful to non white groups. Anti black messages are so powerful where in a majority black country black skin is still deemed ugly. They are not beautiful due to dealing with racist minority in their country while also receiving these messages from western and European messages and from there stems self hate, tied in with the lack of representation from other countries as well. In this way globalization negatively affects black people.
Comments
Post a Comment