A Last Note on Colorism/Race in India

Dear Friends & Blog Readers:

I have been receiving e-mails regarding my posts where I discuss the preference for light/white-skin in India. I want to point out that I have travelled to 25 countries as of Feb. 1, 2006 (at various times in my life). I've only felt that skincolor was a serious issue in 1 (India) out of the 25 countries I've visited. The fact that I felt comfortable in my Black skin in the other 24 countries says a lot.

I've also learned that a traveler's nationality usually trumps the color of their skin. Some people abroad like or respect Americans and some people hate us. However, I'm usually treated very well based on the passport I carry. Please note that this has a nasty side because I've seen people who hold non-Western nations passports being treated very shabbily.

I have no intention of allowing how other people may preceive the color of my skin as factoring into how I live my life or where I go. I was saddened by some of my treatment in India. (Please note that I also meet some wonderful Indians too.) However, my biggest sadness came when I realized that some Indians regarded Europeans as being better than themselves. However, I see India's self-esteem issues as being their problem and not mine.

Therefore, I'm continuing my quest to see as much of the world as I like. I do want the world to embrace me but sometimes that doesn't happen. And it is ok since I know who I am and have a whole bunch of people who love me.

Happy Travels!

P.S.- Please note that I've lived in Japan, Italy, and London, U.K. I've travelled to Australia, Taipei, Taiwan, Malta, France, Czeck Republic, Netherlands, Scotland, Turkey, Eqypt, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Spain, Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, Hong Kong & Macau, Austria, and Greece. 

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The south pole I think is where Atlantis is buried, there are evidence of this been true, many ancient texts depicts antarctic without the ice, with mountains, rivers, almost like a warm place.

[vivek vijayan]

im an indian born and lived 18 yrs in india now in toronto.
I know exactly how you fell, I was waiting for this particular moment . As i grew up in india i had this similar kind of thoughts and living in toronto made me realize how bad colorism was. I always wondered how would a african-american feel is they travelled to india and i read ur experience. This is such a big problem in india right now it has to be stoped.

[abnontert]

I went to see RUSH HOUR 3 and I regret that I had to spend extra dollar on it! Movie was a failer!~

[blackgirl]

I am a black girl planning on visiting India in the near future.
Hmmm...isn't it ironic that Ms World 2001 (from Nigeria) was crowned by Ms World 2000 (from India). Just goes to show that beauty and brains has nothing to do with skin color

[wily]

It embarasses me to hear the race specific comments you made about my country, largely because theyre quite true. India is very divided regionally. For a S.Indian visiting anothre state is a little like visiting another country. Youll understand what I mean if you look over my travel blog. regds

[moi]

Well, I'd have to say that the problems in parts of India go a whole lot deeper than just minority groups who appreciate lighter skin to "darkies". I think the caste system and a colonial mindset is the problem there. I mean, there are over 300 million people in India who are considered less than dogs. I have to agree with Diva Chinita that in all of my travels (and I've been to every continent now except Antartica), India was the most color/race conscious. I don't think it has anything to do with weight, etc, as I'm what most people consider to be acceptably slim and trim. I heard "darky", "blacky", and poorly-pronounced "nigger" more in Bombay than in any other place I have ever visited. I think its weird that this attitude exists so heavily in a country full of such dark-skinned people. I swear that the darkest people I've ever seen in my life were in places I visited in India. While most of the remarks usually came from lighter-skinned Indians, the funny thing is that in some cases it came from people who were blacker than me. Either way, it didn't stop me from enjoying my stay and I went on to meet a lot of cool people, and to travel further north to Delhi and Agra. Overall, the majority of the people were great, and it was only the few insecure, jealous, vocal ones who caused any problems. India Rocks! and I still rate it high on the list of places to go to, and I'll be going back to see the south sometime next year.

[Atlantean]

Very true. This happens a lot in this country but it is rarely talked about. Maybe it is not much talked about here because it isnt perceived as a problem. How can it be perceived as a problem when everyone is too eager to lick white butt?

[Mama]

Race / Culture is an amazing thing. God made us different but different is intended to be good. It has been the abuse of those differences that cause people to be disrepected by other HUMAN BEINGS.

One day we will understand that the only way this world will be a better place is when we see each other as HUMAN BEINGS, uniquely and wonderfully created.

[Zenitra Gee]

When a People or a person has an issue with the nationality, race or skin color of another, it really points to a deep issue that they have with acceptance of themselves. Thanks for being a strong, outspoken, intelligent, Black, woman traveler. Continue doing what you do!

[scorps1027]

i think it's wonderful that you wrote so freely and openly about your experiences. for me personally, you talked about an issue that is very prevalent in India and other parts of the world.
i'm sure that even if a traveler cannot relate to what you have went through in india, they might have experienced it elsewhere. i know i have experienced racism in certain parts of europe. i agree with what chai wrote above, i hope ppl dont' take these words and think that they apply to every person and situation. south asian women like myself LOVE YOU!
if you dont' speak freely about your experiences and are able to share how it enriched you, the purpose of the journey is half defeated.

[chai]

skin color is very important in the south asian diaspora. from what my colored friends say, its very much like any minority group who appreciates the lighter skinned folks than the darkies.

i'm sorry you felt uncomfortable in india. that makes me very sad. i've travelled in several parts of europe, asia, and africa. and there were several parts in europe where i felt uncomfortable. just like i feel very uncomfortable when i go to the south. i'm neither black or white, and that is hard for people to chew on in parts of this country and other countries where i felt and told i was different.

in many countries trying to reel with colonial attitudes, i imagine issues you felt in india are the same.

i hope people don't corrolate your words with indians EVERYWHERE. that's the scary part of writing about race, its hard for people to keep it to that person's experience with those people that you (unfortunately) were in contact with.

I hope my ramblings makes sense....just know that this south asian woman loves you, skin color or not.

also, when you come back to the states and live in DC near me?!? ;)

[sistak]

you are wonderful!! i love you!!