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It's been repeatedly shown that lighter skin is equated with higher status, even within Asian and Indian communities. Skin color hierarchies have appeared just

It's been repeatedly shown that lighter skin is equated with higher status, even within Asian and Indian communities. Skin color hierarchies have appeared just as prominently in other races and ethnicities. In Japan, members of the upper class have lighter skin tones than do members of the middle or lower classes; the author of this study concludes that “social selection for light skin color has had some genetic effect” in a nation that was genetically isolated for almost 1500 years (Hulse 1967, quotation in abstract). According to an ancient Japanese proverb, “white skin makes up for seven defects” (quoted in Wagatsuma 1968: 129). In India, “this preference for light-skinned spouses can be easily verified by the matrimonial columns of some of the Hindu dailies. Among the most desirable traits a bride can have are virginity and light skin, as evidenced by those placing ads.” (Hall 1995: 179). - Hochschild, J. L., Weaver, V. and Burch, T, 2004. "Effects of Skin Color Bias in SES on Political Attitudes and Activities" http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/0/5/9/3/4/pages59347/p59347-5.php http://www.allacademic.com/meta/p_mla_apa_research_citation/... Basically, if you don't think skin color plays a significant role in what people consider a minority, you're just ignoring the evidence.

cwan 17y ago
This doesn't explain how you could confuse the darker skin of an Indian (who is actually from India) with that of an actual (sounds odd when I say that) White person. I am also darker than most white people and I am ethnically Chinese. If that's what you're saying, then Indians should have lower status than Chinese people/hispanics/even some Blacks. Unless you are saying that it's ok to generalize all Chinese people and Indians as an "average" (which frankly, I think is insulting to everyone). The article isn't talking about prejudice within races, it is talking about classifications between races and why it is odd to consider Asians (Indian and Chinese - not just the lighter ones) as "White".

cwan 17y ago

This doesn't explain how you could confuse the darker skin of an Indian (who is actually from India) with that of an actual (sounds odd when I say that) White person. I am also darker than most white people and I am ethnically Chinese. If that's what you're saying, then Indians should have lower status than Chinese people/hispanics/even some Blacks. Unless you are saying that it's ok to generalize all Chinese people and Indians as an "average" (which frankly, I think is insulting to everyone). The article isn't talking about prejudice within races, it is talking about classifications between races and why it is odd to consider Asians (Indian and Chinese - not just the lighter ones) as "White".