List of Indian actors who are speaking on BLM and their fairness cream ads, a thread :

This is very vague but let's count it

It's not that their views can't change or that they shouldn't speak up for what they want, it's about selective and performative activism especially when they have at some point propagated a colorist attitude in their own country

Also just the fact that we make songs like chittiyan kalaiyan and gora gora mukhda and stuff... This needs to stop too!!

I think I need to say, that in no way do j think we should target just these actors. It's the whoeld amn industry. Ones staying silent are arguably even worse if not consistent. This is just the result of internalised colorism in a society which values fair skin

Please let us not forget those who haven't even said anything, is that worse?

"how true is your fairness?"

Just because I've been hounded by stans - some actors like Priyanka have actually apologised for their endorsements (not that I think this makes it okay because their actions leave an irreversible impact), while MOST have not addressed it at all.

Just a few things because this blew up :
1) this is in no way to take away from racism and understand that colorism is a different issue. It doesn't sit right with me that back home one promotes fairness creams while speaking about how all colors are beautiful. Its opportunistic

2)Yes, one must blame companies but no one held a gun to these actors to endorse them. I expect individuals to have a moral compass, corporates not so much.

3) I'm not making statements about whether we forgive everyone or not. This isn't a 'them' problem, Indian society itself is extremely colorist. I believe this does lead us to even treat races who are dark-skinned different (read : the beating up of African students in noida) too

4) yes, there are several other actors (kajol, yami Gautam, etc) who endorse such products. I don't have the time to compile everyone but it's a quick search away. This was just to start a conversation and not an attack on these individuals and others.