The Afro Hair and Beauty Show apparently celebrated 30 years this year. ( Happy 30years!) I've always felt this show has been a way of celebrating Afro Hair and well errr...Beauty.. ;-) and that said - it hopefully provides a source of inspiration and pride. I was quite surprised therefore to hear that the organisers felt that a skin bleaching stall was an appropriate stall to have at such an event..
A move that in my opinion..was..quite frankly... disrespectful.
To say that you're catering for the needs of all is a cop- out. An event such as this is an ideal opportunity to send a positive message that dark skinned people do not need to bleach their skin. This is not about acne. from what I can see the stall didn't have a banner saying "Get rid of your acne here!!".. No - it's saying 'Fair and White'.
Most people who have problems with acne go to the doctor.
Those who feel the pressure to conform to the misinformed ideology that lighter is better - those who want to fit in - think it will make them prettier or more handsome - bleach.
Now - I'm not saying that the Afro Hair and Beauty Show should fix all the ills of the BME community - what I am saying however is they should be responsible in the message they send out.
30steps forward - 30steps back!
big issue this moment what with Vybz Kartel and all that cake soap business. big dutty shame on Afro Hair and Beauty Show for being co-opted by the machine (probably always has been)
ReplyDeleteShame indeed. Generation after generation this nonsense is passed down.
ReplyDeletePass down a strong work ethic.
Pass down the value of education
Pass down nice manners and respect
Pass down self worth
Pass down how to treat your fellowman with love
Isn't it time for those who do - to stop peddling this form of self hate? Wake up - wise up - and wear your colour with pride I say.
Thumbs down to AH&B for giving it the thumbs up!