Comments on: Such anger over the antics of idiots

By: Student

Student — Mon, 22 Jan 2007 12:39:09 +0000

To me, racism is to consider people of different races to have different capabilities - to not believe that we’re all equal as God’s people - to think one person can do something better than another because of their race.

Bollywood acting is partly modelling. It isn’t just dark skinned people who are excluded but also all the other people that don’t fit the people’s conventions of beauty e.g. overweight people

Bollywood hasnt produced a single dark skinned actress due to racism

The actress whose name begins with K is very dark in real life without all that makeup. And I imagine her cousin actress is pretty dark as well without all the makeup. (I don’t want to say their names, as I don’t want guys who don’t know who they are to now look up their names on Google images.)

Anyway, most of Bollywood films, particularly modern-day ones, are trash so it’s a blessing for all the darker people who are excluded and I certainly won’t be campaigning for their rights to be in these films :)

By: leila

leila — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 18:22:32 +0000

Student, what is your definition of racism? To me refusing someone a job, an opportunity, education etc due to the colour of their skin is racism becuase its direct affect on their life. Bollywood hasnt produced a single dark skinned actress due to racism. The industry is reflective of consumers, that doesnt mean its not racism, there was a time also when white people didnt not want to see black people on their screen, it was a reflection of a racist society and attitudes. Going back to the point denying a dark skinned woman to be the next shilpa and ashwaria is racism. I never had a problem seeing the expressions of whoopi goldberg or eddie murphy, do you? Its just silly excuses.

By: George Carty

George Carty — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 11:41:23 +0000

Almost all societies historically favoured light skin, as it was a sign that the person involved didn’t have to spend long periods of time working outdoors in the fields (and was thus a status symbol).

This traditional prejudice was reversed in the West by the industrial revolution, which meant that most workers (even the lowliest ones) worked indoors. From then on a tanned skin became a status symbol, as it was a sign that the person could afford ample holiday time in warm foreign locales.

By: Student

Student — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 09:03:29 +0000

Leila, it’s not racism as nobody is saying that black people are any different in their brains or can’t act as good. Simply the asian audience likes lighter skinned people on its screens and that is what the industry gives them. Maybe it works the other way around as well, but either way, I don’t see why you think I’m a racist or why my comment is ignorant.

There are dark-skinned people in Bollywood, but they put on a great amount of foundation to make themselves look lighter when filming. It is sad and unfair but not necessarily racist.

Also I said perhaps it is the case that it is harder to see their expressions. As it is often the case for me when the skin is extremely dark, but then again I am myopic so I don’t assume to know for everyone.

And please, instead of labelling me a racist, try to make some excuses for me and give me the benefit of the doubt as per the hadith of our Prophet (saw).

Salaam aleikum

By: leila

leila — Sat, 20 Jan 2007 17:34:20 +0000

That is such an ignorant comment Student. Ofcourse they consider them to be less capable if the industry considers some jobs are not suitable for dark skin people. Racists like you will look for silly excuses such as the one you made in your last sentence.

By: Old Pickler

Old Pickler — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 23:46:06 +0000

When complete nonentities say stupid things, why not just ignore them? To do otherwise is to give them more respect than they deserve.

By: Craig

Craig — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 20:08:50 +0000

What I don’t understand is, that while the world goes nuts over Jade Goodings subliminal racism, theres hardly a response to Jermaine Jacksons use of the term “WHITE TRASH” in the B.B. House. Surely thats in the same ballpark as the N Word or Pk. Maybe its more to do with the fact that some cultures don’t automatically pressume the worse & then totally over react. In contrast to burning effigies in Mumbai or Race Hate Demos over Danish cartoons!

By: Student

Student — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 19:32:54 +0000

Yusuf, I’m disappointed to read this post of yours… it’s ironic that you denounce racism but quote other personal insults. I only say this because I read your blog and like it mostly.

And please don’t admit to have started watching Big Brother :)

An industry where you can be a leading actress if you are fair and light skinned

Yeah but what can you do if fair-skinned is what Asians think is beautiful. As long as they don’t consider dark-skinned people to be any less capable, it’s not racism. Perhaps also they just find it easier to see the facial expressions of lighter skinned people.

By: ummabdulla

ummabdulla — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 18:35:30 +0000

Assalaamu alaikum,

Some Bollywood actress is insulted. It’s an international incident, they’ve burned effigies in India, everyone is outraged - and I think most people can understand why.

But they couldn’t understand why over a billion Muslims would be upset when their Prophet was insulted?

By: leila

leila — Fri, 19 Jan 2007 15:39:02 +0000

Shilpa Shetty is a product of a racist industry ‘bollywood’. An industry where you can be a leading actress if you are fair and light skinned, to this date i havent come across a famous bollywood actress who is dark skinned, beauty and being fair go hand in hand. I hope the industry and the people of India that accept this form of racism to look at their country first and give talented dark skinned actors a chance.