FreeWrite: How Light Can You Go?

Light

Oh look the woman said, she didn't get your colour
Did I not tell you? She'd end up looking like her father!
Mother sighed, dark, fair, light, does it really matter?
Of course it does, now who is going to marry her

Colour was a big thing. The fairer you are, your chances of success especially marriage was higher. Like that was the ultimate thing. Like women were born for one thing, and one thing only. To be good wife materiel.

Many things have changed, but skin colour seems to still be a concern or at least a comment. It is okay for the man to be dark, but heaven forbid if the woman is dark.

So much so, it's a lucrative business. Use this cream, use that lotion and you will be fairer in 2 weeks. The man of your dreams, who never looked at you before, will run after you with a bouquet of flowers after. During pregnancy, eat the right food so the baby will be born fair. Saffron and Rose Petals in Milk is on the list.

Many, many moons ago, I was shortlisted for a cigarette commercial. This is back in the day when they were allowed on TV and the cinema. As we all know, make-up and lighting can do wonders, and so they were expecting someone who could carry the clean, fresh look of the brand. The irony right? The stick that kills wanted someone who looked refreshing. When they saw me, even before the Hello, came "Oh, you looked fairer in your picture." No prizes for guessing that I didn't get the job.

You'd think in this day and age, colour would just be a word to describe and not one to define. Not quite. It's not as prevalent, but hey check the pharmacy counters and you will find that cream that makes you beautifulfairer. Sun Block is used religiously. We even have arm socks for driving. And of course, the faithful umbrella.

Oh, and if you think this is only amongst the Indians in the country because of the many shades we come in, I have actually heard it mentioned even amongst the Chinese. Yes, we all want to be white 😉

In case you are wondering, yes that is the picture that got me shortlisted.

All images taken with my trusty iPhone 7 Plus, edited with my favourite app Photofox

A FreeWrite has the power to bring forth stories you didn't know resided in your head! It can be dark and sad, it can be creepy and frightful, it can be joyous with a happy ending. It can be fiction, an idea, a thought, an experience. To read what the prompt light did for other authors head on over to @mariannewest and then over to the @freewritehouse for more goodies.

’Til we meet again over text, pics, videos, maybe even coffee - Steem On!!

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