The Naturally Fair Skinny Bitch

Out of cultural customs and social norms, a lot of accepted discrimination has arisen. Skin Colour has forever been a topic privy to much subjectivity in various cultures and societies worldwide. Weight issues are plastered all over the media, driving marketing campaigns, health concerns and image perceptions.

In Trinidad, (as would any culture) we have our set "preferences" when it comes to what the ideal woman should look like. It is an image created from our ethnic composition and geography I would say. We generally like our women curvy- Kim Kadashian style- with smooth fair skin. No harm in that- People can like whatever they like. However, the openness in which we discriminate against people who do not fit into this mold, well it's pretty disturbing.

Most times people are unaware that they are being prejudicial. I come from an East Indian background, and it seems like bashing darker complexions is acceptable! I hate it. I am in the medium- dark range when it comes to colour, an God forbid I go to the beach! I automatically am an outcast. I feel compelled to apologise for my tan when I meet people because I know they see me and think condescending thoughts. We have archaic terminology like "High Colour". Really? Is it Apartheid? There is no Caste System in Trinidad! Yet mothers make sure their offspring marry fair-skinned spouses to guard against brown grandchildren. I am most appalled when people check a newborn's knuckles to gauge the richness of their complexion. This is not only in Indian families, don't get me wrong! I have a beautiful darker skinned friend (of African Descent) who was head over heels with a Nigerian boy. Her mother forbade it, saying that she was not to date anyone "blacker than she" was! NO LIE! I really don't get it. Not why people prefer fairer complexions- that is purely a matter of opinion- What I don't get is the openly biased treatment to the issue, as though it's okay. It's not.



There are products made to lighten your skin like Ashe and Naturally Fair. What kind of name is "Naturally Fair" anyway? There are people who are Naturally Dark- are we telling them that something is wrong with that? In the advertisements they talk about getting rid of "unsightly tans". Having your skin be evenly tinted is unsightly? Close friends of mine, who I love dearly by the way, would slather on sunblock or avoid the outdoors completely in fear- and I mean FEAR- of "getting black". I am too often an observer in the group conversations about who "pretty despite she dark".  Ummm.. I AM DARK! Don't you see me sitting here? What you are saying is offensive!

Another socially acceptable slanderous behaviour is towards thin girls. We can easily call someone a "skinny bitch" but dare they even call us a "fat fuck". If you prefer a rounder body, go ahead! I myself am VERY far from being bony, but if someone is slim it does not give you permission to ask them if they are anorexic! (trust me- I have witnessed this) You don't see anyone walking up to full-figured women and asking them if they are suffering form any of the ill-effects of obesity. I saw a meme go up on Facebook that received a lot of Likes. It said "Real Women have Curves". So... slim women who are straight up and down must be men then, right? WRONG!

Some of it is about the fox not reaching the grapes and calling it sour. You know it's true. Whatever the reason for your dislike towards women with a little less meat on their bones, keep it to yourself. I have a lot of friends who feel personally attacked and insulted by people's mean-spirited attitude towards them for being thin. Most of these women cannot help it! I know girls who are desperately trying to gain weight and cannot, and the stress of it all makes it that much more difficult.

Bottom line is, women (and men) come in all sorts of shapes, sizes and colours. You definitely can have your preferences whether you inherited them from your parents' ideals, you have been brainwashed by the media or you just simply like one type over the other. That is totally fine and up to you. However, keep it to yourself! You live in the real world, and everyone looks different. Don't be offensive! Be careful what you say! Chances are someone does not like the way you look either, but would you like if they shouted it from across the room?