Skin bleaching is a sin against God

For some reason, a lot of the young people around me are always looking to me for solutions. And not too long ago, a young lady whom I shall call Yaa, came to me with what was for her a very serious dilemma. You see, Yaa's one true desire is to act. In films. O yes, those that know her say from the day she was born, that has been Yaa's only destiny. Anyway, recently she went to audition for a new Ghanaian film and left the place so distraught. The reason? Maybe if I put it in the words of the director, it would be easier to explain. “You see that girl over there? The only difference between you and her is that she is fair-skinned. Actually, that's not true. You are a better actress, but we like to work with fair skinned women in our films. Now, if you can tone your skin, we can consider you for future films.” And there, dear reader was the reason for Yaa's dilemma.

Here she was, a very dark skinned woman. Following her heart's desire. Yet, it looked like for as long as she maintained her natural God given colour, she would not be able to pursue her dreams. So this young lady came to me for advice. What should she do? Should she tone a little?

I was aghast. How could she even consider bleaching her beautiful black skin? How? Call it toning, skin cleansing, skin clearing, give it whatever fancy name you want, it is skin bleaching. It is disgusting. It is an insult to all Afrikans worldwide (by Afrikans I'm referring to every black person who accepts their Afrikan heritage). It is a health hazard. But above all, it is a huge insult to our Maker. O yes, a huge insult. Because how can we turn around and tell God we know better the colour we want to be? My goodness, when are Afrikans going to get over this skin colour thing? Look, as Afrikans God created us in a myriad of colours. We come in shades from caramel brown to dark chocolate. We are beautiful in our various shades.

As I sat listening to Yaa lament, I began to think about the origins of skin bleaching. I don't even know who invented bleaching creams. But it looks like they are here to stay. I tell you, it never ceases to amaze me that a country such as Ghana should proudly advertise skin-bleaching agents on huge billboards.

No matter what, I will never advocate skin bleaching. I think it is a weak character that gives in to the social pressure of looking “light”. I just don't get it. I mean, have you ever seen a bleached person? They look like a human tye and dye, a human batik. They look ugly and smell really awful. O yea, it's true.

So what is it that drives people to bleach? For women, I understand they want to be seen as beautiful. But, what will drive a man, a man I say, to bleach? What indeed?

My people, skin bleaching is very dangerous. If you are doing it or know someone who is please encourage him or her to stop. I know we live in an increasingly superficial world. I
know the world view of a beautiful woman tends to look more like Beyonce and Tyra Banks than the average dark woman you see daily.

I know on international catwalks, there are very few representations of the dark skinned woman. And even when there is it tends to be the likes of Alec Weac, who I'm sorry to say does not represent the beautiful dark Afrikan at all. It's funny. The world will not promote dark-skinned people, but when they do, they pick the ugliest amongst us as the Afrikan look.

No people, we have to change this. We have to redefine what beauty is and not sit passively while fashion houses in Milan and Paris tell us what is beautiful. We can no longer leave the definition of beauty in the hands of international, non-Afrikan movie makers, advertising agencies and music video directors. As Africans we have to accept whatever shade of black we are.

But above all, we need to start looking for the beauty in individuals and not in the colour of their skin. It's all nonsense to say just because someone is not as light as another, they are not as worthwhile. It's utter and complete nonsense.

For Africans living outside the continent of Africa, I guess the pressure to look like Beyonce or Tyra is more persistent than those of us here. Right? Wrong. Because these days in Ghana, we too are being slowly bombarded with images of what is considered beautiful. I know young girls who want to look like the characters they watch in these B rate Mexican soaps the TV networks insist on pushing down our throats. Admittedly, apart from the stories I've heard about casting for Ghana Films, we do not have the problem in Ghana of only portraying our lighter skinned brothers and sisters. Thankfully we can still turn on our TVs and see all shades of natural beautiful African people. From milk chocolate Nana Ama McBrown (Actress) to dark chocolate Blakofe (the Presenter of Amazing Ghana. By the way whatever happened to that programme. It was actually very good and certainly taught me a lot about Ghana), we can still turn on our TVs and appreciate all shades of black. And that is beautiful.

Skin bleaching is a disease. A mental disease that aims to destroy the black race. O yes, I'm very serious. I mean, how can people hate themselves so much they would want to burn their flesh? The pathetic thing is, no matter how much flesh burning they do, they will never be beautiful. Just look at Michael Jackson. Now tell me truthfully you believe he looks better now than in the “Off The Wall” days…yep, you get my point I think? I have yet to see anybody who looks better after bleaching. And no matter what you do, your genes will always remain African. You can burn your flesh all you like, the minute you have a child, believe me, it will be its natural unbleached self.

That reminds me of a family I saw recently. There was an African woman, with a white man and a couple of mixed raced children. O… my people come see my Afrikan sister. In an attempt to look like her husband and children, this woman had bleached and burned her flesh to such an extent that I couldn't help it. I followed her to the toilet and asked her what bleaching cream she used. Initially she tried to deny bleaching, but hey, the eyes don't lie. Just one look at her and I knew. A further examination of her knuckles, knees, mustache and feet already confirmed this fact.

After flattering her that she was beautiful and I too wanted to use the same cream as her, she admitted to bleaching. Imagine her shock when I then turned around and said “my sister, I know you want to look like your husband and children, but please, stop bleaching. You don't look nice at all. I don't know you, I don't even have the right to say this to you, but please, you look bad. Everybody out there is looking at you with disgust and laughing.”

O yes, I told her. And I will continue to tell everyone I come across who is deluded that beauty is all about the colour of the skin. To all skin bleachers, stop it now. You look ugly. To those that have the power to do so, stop the importation, marketing, promotion and sales of skin bleaching products.

To manufacturers, I know you are making tons of money, but please, stop producing these poisons, especially if you too are Afrcan. To young ladies like Yaa , don't even think about it. Skin bleaching is no guarantee you will be considered the most beautiful. And to all the sisters keeping it real….Ayeekoo.

Before I leave, let me remind you, our Creator believes all shades of our black skins are beautiful.

But hey, these are just the reflections of an ordinary Ghanaian woman.