Skin bleaching a growing problem in Jamaica slums

Hello,

As sad as this story may appear, in some instances, I am able to understand both sides. As a dark-skinned African American growing up in the 50's to 60's I was surrounded by a lot of "color issues". In addition, I was the darkest child in my household.

Fortunately, I was referred to as mother's "chocolate bunny". This made me special in a positive manner (it always got smiles and laughter). I was not singled out as being different, though my best friend (who was also dark) used lighteners and married a very light skinned male. She never (even today) felt acepted by his family due to her skin color. And, her children did not turn out very light (closer to her complexion).

To tell the truth, I think growing up thinking that I was " positively special" made me like myself, despite being different (color-wise), and it made me able to face the prejudices that I later encountered, because I have never wanted to be another color.

i m from french wi and i m black maybe they are not proud of them color that s all.it s sad they want to look like people from st elisabeth. black skin shine ...use nivea cream not so white cream

what u say.. ppl from st.elizabeth are light skinned..i know there is light skinned ppl there but not all ,,my baby is black as can be and he is fine as he// from head to toe..and as for the natural light skinned ppl..they should be proud too..look at all the light and white skinned ppl who lay out in the sun to get dark..what is wrong with them..some ppl dark or light are just not happy with what they was born with...

Mabe I can order some

nett727 wrote:

what u say.. ppl from st.elizabeth are light skinned..i know there is light skinned ppl there but not all ,,my baby is black as can be and he is fine as he// from head to toe..and as for the natural light skinned ppl..they should be proud too..look at all the light and white skinned ppl who lay out in the sun to get dark..what is wrong with them..some ppl dark or light are just not happy with what they was born with...

what the Fck does pride have to do with it..
we humans chop down trees all the time and build houses.. and ruin nature all the fckin time..
why the fck would we wanna stay with the same skin color.. hel i'd be happy to be fckin silver..

bring out the ultimate bleaching cream that actually works and doesn't kill you and works permanently..

ah well bring out darkening cream in case we decide we wanna go back..

ha!

Be proud of who you are and love yourself no matter what your complexion..

If someone does not like you because of you skin colour the issue is theirs and not yours so don't take it on.

What can I say about the bleachers it does not look appealing!!!

i bleach so what??? lighter skin is better looking!!

Nanny, please enlighten me?? Why do black women bleach their skin.. I find it quite concerning? I am open to your rationale.

Nanny wrote:

i bleach so what??? lighter skin is better looking!!

That is your opinion, though I guarantee you that everybody doesn't share your belief, and more people would be horrified if they realized that you bleached yourself to what you are now, rather than being normally born the colour you are trying to be...Good luck on finding someone that knows that you're bleaching to accept you for who you really are, Nanny...

@ nubian queen...the reason that Nanny likely bleaches her skin, is that she does not want to be known as a Jamaican...did you see what she wrote about Jamaicans, about how they are thieves, cheats and lazy? Let Nanny bleach herself out of existence...she thinks that she will be socially accepted if her peers knew about her daily practices...and they say that bleaching is only a problem in Jamaica...seems that Nanny disproves this belief all on her own!

A new compound is now under research which can neutralize melanin. This compound in pill form, would enable darker skinned people to eventually turn white. I'm sure the drug company that produces it will make quite a fortune.

People shouldn't be ashamed of their race. Nationality, race, ethnicity can't be chosen. You are what you are. Decreasing crime is something more important.

I am not sure I will ever understand why black women bleach. However, the media does not help and as a child of the 60's the fair skin children with good hair (as it was called back then) were accepted more and had better opportunities. Trust me I know what I am talking about.

The other issue is some of (I did say some) our black brothers are not so keen dating or marrying a dark skin woman. Brothers I got news for you the bleachers are not true to themselves so what does that say about you??

As a black woman who experienced the above I have never considered bleaching my skin and never will. To my fair/light skin friends and family members my dark skin got me very far, way further than you expected, because I loved me and was determined to work hard for what I wanted to achieve and I am still working. Being dark skin with locs has not been easy but I have not been one to bow to the pressure of the 'status quo'.

To the bleachers how long are you going to continue destroying your skin. Just remember everything is for a season and try being proud of who you are.

nubian queen wrote:

I am not sure I will ever understand why black women bleach. However, the media does not help and as a child of the 60's the fair skin children with good hair (as it was called back then) were accepted more and had better opportunities. Trust me I know what I am talking about.
The other issue is some of (I did say some) our black brothers are not so keen dating or marrying a dark skin woman. Brothers I got news for you the bleachers are not true to themselves so what does that say about you??
As a black woman who experienced the above I have never considered bleaching my skin and never will. To my fair/light skin friends and family members my dark skin got me very far, way further than you expected, because I loved me and was determined to work hard for what I wanted to achieve and I am still working. Being dark skin with locs has not been easy but I have not been one to bow to the pressure of the 'status quo'.
To the bleachers how long are you going to continue destroying your skin. Just remember everything is for a season and try being proud of who you are.

We only like White women because the Black celebs date them!

If the black celebs jump off a bridge would you do the same.. I guess not.. Stand up and be counted.

Many of the bleachers have become vampires, they can only come out at nights. What a hot mess in JA.

why bleach. be proud of your colour and stop faking white. bleaching only exposes you to cancer, loss of self esteem. if you are bleaching to be white, who w is bleaching to be black?
black is beautiful

vivicole wrote:

why bleach. be proud of your colour and stop faking white. bleaching only exposes you to cancer, loss of self esteem. if you are bleaching to be white, who w is bleaching to be black?
black is beautiful

Some people tan, some people fake and bake, and some have gone as far as 'tarring'(dyeing) their skin to appear darker.