Confronting Colorism In India: Unraveling Its Social And Economic Consequences
Colorism, deeply ingrained in India’s social fabric, continues to cast a shadow over millions of lives, perpetuating discrimination and inequality based on skin tone. Defined as the preference for lighter skin tones over darker ones, colorism not only reflects historical biases but also exerts profound economic and social repercussions. Historically, colorism finds its roots in India’s colonial past, where British colonial rulers propagated notions of superiority associated with fair skin. This ideology permeated society, influencing perceptions of beauty, intellect, and social status. Today, this bias persists, perpetuated not only by cultural norms but also by commercial interests keen to profit from insecurities tied to skin color. The beauty industry, particularly through products marketed to lighten skin tones, plays a significant role in perpetuating colorist ideals. Hindustan Unilever’s transformation of "Fair and Lovely" to "Glow and Lovely" exemplifies th