The Colorism Issue

There are so many things I take for granted. Colorism in Asian communities is one of them. Slathering on SPF, always wearing a hat, staying out of the sun, applying mudpacks to my face; very good things with sinister reasoning. You should absolutely take sun safety precautions - but to keep your epidermis healthy, not to keep your skin light. The roots of colorism in Asian communities are myriad, ranging from lighter skin being a status symbol to simple proximity to whiteness. The solution is equally multifaceted. Educating yourself on the roots of colorism. Refusing to use skin whitening products. Starting difficult conversations with your friends and family. Calling out colorism when you see it. Embracing a different standard of beauty. Realizing it's alright to be unfair and lovely.

Colorism can feel as Asian as rice sometimes. We can change that; we *have* to change that. The Asian community has much bigger issues than representation - this is one of them. Put down the fairness cream, and for the love of god, stop squeezing lemon on your face (it'll burn your skin off!). Let's leave colorism in 2020.

Yours,

Rehana Paul

Founder, Editor-in-Chief