adminCool Lifestyle Writer
THE holiday is almost over and guess what, a lot is happening. Well, a walk around town will tell you how many teenagers are imitating what they see on television. Skin bleaching is a topical issue especially with many fun activities lined up. Many teens want to look like Miley Cyrus, Vybz Kartel and Chris Brown, but, NO, protect your identity.
You were born original do not die a photocopy.
In his best-selling book “Black Skin White Masks”, author Frantz Fanon is at pains to show how the black man is overwhelmed by an inferiority complex which makes him feel inadequate in relation to the white man.
It appears the book was originally authored as a tool to combat oppression.
“Watch out for the chemicals you put on,” said a 19-year-old Precious Moyo.
The author shows how embedded in our minds the problem is, even from an early age through the use of comic books and cartoons which cement the idea that the colour black is associated with evil and inevitably attaching blackness with anything bad.
The book speaks volumes of the craze, which is skin bleaching, that has gripped a large number of black girls.
Young black girls are possessed by the thought that being light skinned is the true definition of beauty.
So big has the problem become that just last month the BBC carried out a documentary on the ever increasing craze of skin bleaching among black people.
It appears everyone wants to be lighter by any means possible, oblivious to the dangers and consequences of such.
My teenage son told me that dancehall singer Vybz Kartel is the pin-up poster boy for skin bleaching.
The singer, who also bleaches his skin venerates the craze and has taken advantage of the craze by setting up a self named line of skin lighteners ranging from cake soap, lotions and even sunscreen.
It appears most “bleachers” are either un- aware or do not care about the health risks inherent in skin bleaching. The Medicines Control Authority of Zimbabwe has banned the manufacture and/or imports of the so- called skin lighteners into the country.
However, this has not stopped the hordes of smugglers who are evidently making a killing as the creams are abundant to the extent of being readily available on every street corner in the city centre.
Most of users of skin lighteners know very well of the potential dangers of using such as they run the risk of having their skin damaged or developing cancer but alas to them these dangers are far-fetched as most seem to be gripped by the “it will not happen to me” mentality.
The skin bleaching is a manifestation of a deeper problem, black people are facing which needs to be urgently addressed through entrenching a sense of black pride and appreciation.
It appears the skin bleachers are not happy in their original skin colours, they would rather be the white man’s ghost.
Online Reporter