Since time immemorial, our society suffers from the issue of colorism. Our society is so obsessed with fair skin that we tend to shame people for their skin color. In recent times, many people have raised their voices against colorism. And that’s one of the reasons, why even HUL had to change the name of their fairness cream – Fair & Lovely to Glow & Lovely.
Recently, Shah Rukh Khan’s daughter, Suhana Khan, also opened up about receiving hate due to her skin color since she was 12. While sharing screenshots of messages and comments criticizing her complexion, Suhana shared how some people shamed her skin tone and called her ‘too dark’.
While sharing how she was called ‘kaali chudail’, she further added:
“Here’s a lot going on right now and this is one of the issues we need to fix!! this isn’t just about me, it’s about every young girl/boy who has grown up feeling inferior for absolutely no reason. Here are just a few of the comments made about my appearance. I’ve been told I’m ugly because of my skin tone, by full-grown men and women, since I was 12 years old.”
“Other than the fact that these are actual adults, what’s sad is that we are all Indian, which automatically makes us brown – yes we come in different shades but no matter how much you try to distance yourself from the melanin, you just can’t. Hating on your own people just means that you are painfully insecure.”
“I’m sorry if social media, Indian matchmaking or even your own families have convinced you, that if you’re not 5″7 and fair you’re not beautiful. I hope it helps to know that I’m 5″3 and brown and I am extremely happy about it and you should be too.”
However, Suhana’s post against colorism was questioned by many netizens. Pointing out the irony, people said that her own father, Shah Rukh Khan has promoted fairness creams in the past.
I agree with #SuhanaKhan
— ishu (@ishu35169176) September 30, 2020
But phle India ke logo ke soch badalne se phle apne pitashree (Father) ki soch badalne ki jrurt hai jine lakho youth follow krte
& He is shamelessly Promoting fairness cream #SRK #EndOfColourism pic.twitter.com/O6Oh74KATm
#SuhanaKhan you should be penning a note to your own father Shah rukh Khan to #EndOfColourism ! He is the one promoting skin whiteners for money! Colour prejudiced was created by the likes of your father in the industry! pic.twitter.com/vO8xygzoC5
— JIX5A જીક્સા (@JIX5A) September 29, 2020
Sister , Don’t preach on insta cause your father endorses Fairness cream . Level of hypocrisy ???? #Suhanakhan pic.twitter.com/D97oa0rf42
— TàNåYā || ????????Justice For SSR❤️????|| (@Its_TanayaR) September 30, 2020
While it’s absolutely clear that papa’s fairness cream doesn’t work, it’s also clear that people whose understanding of beauty is limited to colour are mentally blind! #SuhanaKhan
— bhaavna arora (@BhaavnaArora) September 30, 2020
At IFORHER, we are happy that many people are speaking against our unfair obsession with fair skin. It is heartbreaking how society shames people for their skin color and attempt to break their confidence. We hope in the coming times, public figures start taking a stand against colorism and stop promoting skin-lightening or fairness products.
What do you think? Tell us!