| Author |
Message |
    
Libralind2
Veteran Poster
Username: Libralind2
Post Number: 516
Registered: 09-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 10:16 am: | 
|
http://www.bbc.co.uk/caribbean/news/story/2007/01/070122_skinbleach.shtml
Last updated: 22 January, 2007 - Published 22:06 GMT
Jamaica says Black is Beautiful
Jamaica has gained international attention this past
week for plans that have been announced by the
island's Health Ministry to crack down on skin
lightening products.
Recently the use of often dangerous chemicals for skin
lightening has become so popular among Jamaica's youth
that health officials have been driven to launch a
campaign highlighting the dangers.
The 'don't kill the skin' campaign will begin in
February to coincide with Black History Month. The
Health Ministry hopes to increase awareness through
talks and advertising.
Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Affairs
Valerie Germaine is the acting director of
Pharmaceutical and Regulatory Affairs which is a part
of the Standards and Regulations Division within the
Jamaican Ministry of Health.
“Many more persons are turning up at our health
facilities.
“We also know that many of the adverse effects that we
have seen really come because of the use of illegal
prescription steroids,” Mrs Germaine said.
According to doctors, apart from the more traditional
skin lightening creams some Jamaicans use toothpaste,
curry powder, milk powder, household bleach and
cornmeal to lighten their skin.
Stretch marks, atrophy and bruising
Dr Clive Anderson, an executive member of the Jamaica
Dermatologists Association, explained some of the
problems encountered when people use certain skin
lightening products.
“Stretch marks may occur; atrophy of the skin; the
blood vessels become more visible; the skin is more
easily bruised; it is more likely to become infected
with fungal and bacterial infections,” the doctor
warned.
“There can be long term, permanent effects,” he added.
"Accept yourself"
But, the General consensus among the Jamaicans that
the BBC Caribbean Service spoke with was that skin
bleaching was not something that they would do.
“You must learn to love yourself and accept yourself,”
said one.
“I like my skin. I’m black and I don’t have a problem
with it,” declared another.
The Jamaican Ministry of Health says it hopes that
this latest campaign will help to counteract the
current trend of skin bleaching among both Jamaica's
young men and women.
|
Jackie
Regular Poster
Username: Jackie
Post Number: 369
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 01:07 pm: |
|
Good start ! I wish countries in Africa would implement the same type of campaign. |
Dahomeyahosi
Regular Poster
Username: Dahomeyahosi
Post Number: 170
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 01:20 pm: |
|
Many African countries have already made such products illegal but, like drugs, they have an addicted audience that will get them by any means. |
Jackie
Regular Poster
Username: Jackie
Post Number: 371
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 01:27 pm: |
|
Dahomey: Many African countries have already made such products illegal but, like drugs, they have an addicted audience that will get them by any means.
Are there campaigns explaining "why" the bleaching creams are illegal or are the creams "just" illegal ? In other words, are they just illegal because of the side effects ? What productive efforts are being made to diminish the use of bleaching creams among some Africans ? |
Abm
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Abm
Post Number: 8114
Registered: 04-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 01:36 pm: |
|
It would be interesting to juxtapose the effects and hazards of bleaching that many Black foks do with those of all the tanning White foks do. |
Doberman23
Veteran Poster
Username: Doberman23
Post Number: 700
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 02:22 pm: |
|
india is the largest consumer of skin bleaching products in the world. |
Dahomeyahosi
Regular Poster
Username: Dahomeyahosi
Post Number: 171
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 02:32 pm: |
|
Jackie yes they are illegal because they are very harmful to human health which appears to be their main effect rather than a side affect. Few of the people I know who use them actually end up uniformly white/pale. Most appear blotchy, have weak skin, and actually smell bad in the sun. Those who use these creams know about the risks they are taking, one of which is death. These people make extremely bad choices. I use a relaxer so I am also guilty of making a choice for beauty that could result in damage to my health. I am blessed that no one in my family uses them.
As far as productive efforts I assume you mean "black is beautiful" campaigns. I don't know of any African countries that that have such campaigns but it's not an issue I've investigated. I honestly would consider it a waste of state money. With the plethora of valid health concerns facing some African countries, I'm assuming this issue this is not high on the priority list. Again it's a personal choice, like smoking or drinking. I think this is an issue best tackled in the home and across communities rather than by government officials. |
Cynique
"Cyniquian" Level Poster
Username: Cynique
Post Number: 6953
Registered: 01-2004
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 02:34 pm: |
|
Unfortunately bleaching has become an epidemic spawned by the "black plague". What is the anti-dote to cure the desire to be like day instead of night. Nothing seems to work. And so it goes. |
Jackie
Regular Poster
Username: Jackie
Post Number: 372
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 02:42 pm: |
|
Dahamey: As far as productive efforts I assume you mean "black is beautiful" campaigns.
Actually, I mean self-acceptance. Love the skin your in. From my experience, many of the Africans that are using these products aren't even dark skinned, some are meduim brown. |
Jackie
Regular Poster
Username: Jackie
Post Number: 373
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 02:44 pm: |
|
Dahomeyahosi, sorry for misspelling your screen name. I'm in a hurry. |
Jackie
Regular Poster
Username: Jackie
Post Number: 374
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 02:49 pm: |
|
I guess the issue is just to be lighter...PERIOD. Of course it is a choice...however, from my understanding many teens and young girls are using the creams too. So, what are these youths and adults being exposed/subjected to to want to bleach their skin 3 shades lighter ? Are their parents encouraging them ? Don't care ? Have you asked anyone who bleached their skin why they did it ? |
Enchanted
Veteran Poster
Username: Enchanted
Post Number: 677
Registered: 11-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 04:10 pm: |
|
Kenya and Senegal have had very aggressive anti-bleaching campaigns Jackie for years have you heard of a singer from Nigeria Fela Kuti? He made a song against it called "Yellow Fever" it goes 'da black man ant supposed to be no yella man!' That song even played in N.Y.C. LOL!!!! |
Jackie
Regular Poster
Username: Jackie
Post Number: 375
Registered: 04-2005
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Thursday, January 25, 2007 - 04:53 pm: |
|
Enchanted...yes I've heard of Fela. That song is old and Fela has been dead and buried for years now.
Enchanted: "Kenya and Senegal have had very aggressive anti-bleaching campaigns..."
Like what ? Just curious. |
Dahomeyahosi
Regular Poster
Username: Dahomeyahosi
Post Number: 172
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 26, 2007 - 09:01 am: |
|
Jackie,
I suppose these are the same kinds of young women who wear uncomfortable tight clothes and pay for yards of fake hair when they have no way to pay the rent. They go out of their way to attract men, who they believe are enticed by light skin. The culture of attracting a good, wealthy man to take care of you is very much alive in Africa and some women will go out of their way to do it.
One of my mother's friends started using bleaching cream after we left Benin. It was obvious that she began using it when her neck and face became drastically different from her knuckles. They say the knuckles give it away. I don't understand decisions like this anymore than I understand people who try to commit suicide. I think that black skin is absolutely beautiful and the darker it is the more beautiful it is but white is idolized and idealized by many people. Again not so much by those of us who still practice our own spirituality and love our ancestors.
|
Fortified
Regular Poster
Username: Fortified
Post Number: 446
Registered: 04-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Friday, January 26, 2007 - 09:28 am: |
|
Did you guys hear the story about the African boxer whose skin started to fall off in the ring during a match? That man was bleaching on the daily!!!! That shyt is toxic. Like Dove says: LOVE THE SKIN YOU'RE IN!!! ALL BLACK IS FUKKING BEAUTIFUL!! |
Ricechex
First Time Poster
Username: Ricechex
Post Number: 2
Registered: 12-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 02:25 am: |
|
Many white people use skin bleaching agents as they get older--hydroquinone, because of blotches, and red spots. Helps the face look younger. |
Urban_scribe
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Urban_scribe
Post Number: 345
Registered: 05-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 08:00 am: |
|
That's true, Ricechex, however, there's a huge difference between using skin bleach/lighteners to correct blemishes and using them in an attempt to lighten your overall complexion because you've been brainwashed to believe there's something wrong with dark skin.
One of my sons, now 9, fell off his bike when he was 6 and had a cut under his eye. When the scab healed it left a 2" long "stripe" below his eye. Everyday I dabbed a little shea butter on it to blend in with the rest of his skin, and now it's barely noticeable. |
Dahomeyahosi
Regular Poster
Username: Dahomeyahosi
Post Number: 183
Registered: 01-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, January 29, 2007 - 11:32 am: |
|
Fortified yes I've heard of that boxer. He didn't need to get into the ring with anyone...he did a fine job defeating himself. |
Tonya
AALBC .com Platinum Poster
Username: Tonya
Post Number: 4289
Registered: 07-2006
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Tuesday, January 30, 2007 - 03:50 am: |
|
Dang, y'all, I didn't know it was this bad
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/live/femail/article.html?in_article_id=428541&i n_page_id=1879
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/columns/html/20070113T190000-0500_117838_OBS_SHAK ING_OFF_SLAVERY_S_MALIGNANT_LEGACY_.asp
http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/magazines/AllWoman/html/20070128T190000-0500_1184 73_OBS_THE_BROWNING_MENTALITY_____.asp
http://www.nj.com/news/ledger/index.ssf?/base/news-11/117004894652840.xml&coll=1
|
Email This Page