What the hell have you done with yourself? I screamed with horror.
Before you scold me for over-reacting, I must tell you the whole story. Jane,
my old friend from high school was the prettiest dark-skinned girl I had ever
seen. I still have a picture of her in my mind, all dark-skinned and willowy.
But the vision before me could not be denied. Jane was totally
light-skinned!!! Well, except for very dark knuckles, elbows, knees and ankles
that were in sharp contrast to her face and arms. I could not believe this
transformation or the reason she decided to destroy her skin this way. Of
course, I could not let it slide. Being my curious self, I asked why.
With a sigh, she explained that the period when she was dark-skinned
was a very difficult time for her. She could not seem to get a good job, meet
the right people or even get married to the right guy. She explained that even
though she was more qualified for some jobs, light-skinned girls always got the
job because of their complexion.
She went on to give me a scenario that can only be from a dumb
Nollywood movie. Her account goes thus; “in my desperation for a job, I went
for an interview to dance in a music video. I have always fancied myself a good
dancer and pretty one too. *she smiled* While we were waiting, the director
came to the reception and said that only light-skinned girls would be
interviewed. This meant that all dark-skinned girls regardless of their beauty
and abilities did not stand a chance. That was the day I knew I would never be
in that position of being dismissed again.”
Having heard her ordeal, I asked how things are now that she is
light-skinned. She was grinning from ear to ear when she said she now had a job
as a PA to the GM of a bank. She did not fail to mention that she has also
‘landed’ the ‘right’ guy.
As she walked away, I could not shake off the feeling of disbelief. In
a country where dark and brown-skinned people are predominant, only
light-skinned people are given a chance? While I pondered about this, a friend
drew my attention to the fact that Nigerian women seem to be more light-skinned
compared to the men. It sounded really funny at the time but I have noticed
that it is indeed true.
In the past and maybe in some countries, light-skinned people are
thought to be more successful, influential and smarter than dark-skinned
people. However, we all know that is not the case in this modern day. That is
why I am so puzzled that pretty and influential women will stop at nothing to
practically turn themselves white through skin lightening creams. Even South
Africans who have gone through apartheid know better than to make skin colour a
criterion for a job!
Have you heard of the saying that all light skins are not the same?
Well, I am sure you haven’t because I just made it up. The point is, no matter
how pretty the chemical-aided light skin looks now, it will still suffer the
consequences. The other shades will come to play when eventually all the melanin
has been eroded by harsh chemicals. The skin will eventually begin to burn in
the sun giving it a red and unsightly look or it will begin to age leaving
young women with drooping jowls and green patches. This is to mention only a
few things that can happen not even mentioning the dreaded skin cancer.
I am not here to preach about the reasons why one should not lighten
their skin. But remember that no matter how light-skinned you think you are,
you will never be like the light-skinned people in the cold part of the world
where it is natural to be that way. I already know this, you might say. If you
do, then why hurt yourself knowingly?
No matter how dark-skinned or brown skinned you think you are, you
have a bit of colour in you. It might not be obvious but it is there. Besides,
even if you are as dark as coal, the unique qualities that you possess is a
light to your world not necessarily to your skin. That is why I am very
positive that when you have abilities, skills and a great personality, fickle
things like the complexion of your skin will give way to more important ones.
If one thinks that being light-skinned alone will help one land a good job,
then I must say, that person is living under a delusion.
As always, I would love your thoughts and views as always. Can it be that I am
naïve? Is this really the case?
Love
Sharon
