Why do people have the bad attitude that white is the only beautiful?

Question

Well, my family and many others have a bad attitude that white is the only beautiful and being dark is ugly. It's stupid and it's a terrible attitude. My family is really pissing me off with that. I had my 6 year old nephew come up to me and say, "I'm going to paint my skin white and I'll be handsome." It's terrible because it makes people feel bad and it makes them think they are ugly and that they have the need to become white. I try to correct him but he's like "No, I want to be white, I'm whiter than you." It really gets me mad, my family is Guyanese and we're very fair, or at least me, my mother, father and brother. My grandmother too. I've gotten dark this summer because I've been out a lot and active and they think that I'm ugly because I'm dark. It's not true and it's shallow. I just need your advice.

Answer 1

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

Sounds like you're going through low self esteem and confidence over this, and your family certainly isn't helping. Try to get them to get in touch with their heritage and culture and the history of your ancestors.

All the skin tones on earth can be beautiful, if the person feels the beauty of life within themselves. How dark or light a person's skin tone is means nothing.

Answer 2

Don't waste so much time worrying about what they think. As for the 6 year old, let it go. It was A SIX YEAR OLD. They probably don't even know what they are saying.

Answer 3

I am Afro Trinidadian and as some of you may know we have a melting pot of people. In fact a line in our National Anthem says " ....here every creed and race find an equal place." I see people as just that, people. I have friends of all races, and I appreciate them all. My advice, just be yourself and the less energy you give to the topic the sooner you get over this.

Answer 4

I don't think you should even worry about it! What some people see as beautiful, others do not. The fact remains that to some people pale skin is attractive, and to others it isn't. Some people don't even care. It's all about personal preference. I think your nephew just needs to learn as he gets older (as we all do). It sounds to me like he's just talking silly-talk (he's only six, after all). Besides, in my opinion, if you look anything like your avatar, you don't have to worry about being "ugly" ;)!

Answer 5

Well--this is an opinion for a white girl.  All the white girls I know (including myself) would like to be darker.  The trend right now is to look more olive colored.   Personally, I don't think white is the most attractive race.  I think there are beautiful people in all races.  I would LOVE to have straight, dark oriental hair. I would also love to be more dark skinned and look more exotic.

I think everyone has their own idea of beautiful.  I personally think that biracial people (any 2 races mixed) are the most beautiful people on earth.  

Love yourself! I am sure you are beautiful!

Answer 6

Lack of education would be my guess.

Answer 7

I don't know anyone who feels that extreme but if that is what your family feels then there is nothing you can really do to change that. Just continue to like people for who they are regardless of the color of their skin.

Answer 8

First, I had to look at the Guyanese people, and for the most part I see that the Guyanese range in different skin tones. So I can see why your family has some mixed perceptions of what people are supposed to look like.

So how can you deal with your family? School them on why they are so greatly offending you, that would be the main thing to do. Let them witness from the mouth of a child how unenlightened they are being amongst the family. It's terrible. That is the main reason why people are still not excepting of the differences of others. I don't know you, but some people would want to end ties with their family because of their beliefs.

It would be great if you can become the leader for your family. Show them that there is more to shunning people who are darker. There is no one beauty in this world. You should become the enlightened one. I hope that all goes well. 1  

Answer 9

Thats just not true. Just try to get into a tanning salon! It is loaded with young ladies darking the skin to be "beautiful"!  

Answer 10

Well unfortunately white is the standard of beauty all over the world because of European and USA influences. White models,white actresses,white beauty queens etc. have reigned supreme for so many years that it's become the standard of beauty. Why is it when people think of Americans they think of blond hair and blue eyes?