Whiter: Asian American Women on Skin Color and Colorism

I enjoyed each of the essays included in the book. They definitely made me look at some things in a very different way. These personal revelations gave me pause, opportunity to empathize, provoking much thought. Sometimes I felt sorrow or sadness that things are, or were, as told in the essays, but I also came away with some hope because awareness of this "demand" for physical whiteness and the damage this demand has caused, and is still causing, is being addressed. This acknowledgement of such a negative bias based on skin color is vital if standards and bias are to change.

Total liberal indoctrination. This is what they are teaching us in our liberal universities. Complete garbage.

WHITER is a collection of essays by thirty women of different ethnicity, skin shades and racial backgrounds in which Asian American women describe their experiences with skin-color privilege and discrimination within their ethnic communities and American society.The obsession with whiteness and light skin is deeply embedded in both American and Asian cultures: we are overwhelmed by skin-whitening products and we see racists commercials yet so "effective" because of the widely shared cultural beliefs that darker skin is a stigma.White skin is linked to social perceptions of beauty, sophistication and high social class. This social pressure affects racial and ethnic groups worldwide and contributes to negative stereotypes, even influencing the concept of arranged and multiracial marriage, which one seeks light-skinned partners. Skin color also affects the sense of belonging within Asian American communities - it messes with identity and reinforces the feeling of otherness. Is it coincidence that what Asian women consider beautiful happens to mirror the Eurocentric beauty norms? It all goes back to colonialism.However, over time, it's interesting to read how beauty standards have changed in American culture, which tanned skin is considered attractive. American tanning culture eases the pressure, allowing more flexibility in skin shade compared to Asia. Nevertheless, it's important to emphasize the fine line between sun-tanned skin and dark skin. Also, there's an anti-black sentiment among Asians and Asian American community - highly harmful and problematic.Through each woman's personal and vulnerable story, we are once more reminded of how we are highly influenced by colorist beliefs, but we are also inspired by journeys towards self-acceptance and the embrace of own skin shade.The issue regarding colorism is real and this book gave me a deeper understanding of the politics of skin color. In the end, we need to fight this social pressure that strives for whiteness.[ I received a complimentary copy from the publisher - New York University Press - in exchange for an honest review ]