I'm sure this is not a new topic but please bear with me as I'm new. By way of background, I am of S. Asian heritage although I am quite fair-skinned. On my first trip to RD I was surprised at the color war...I had thought it was more apparent in other islands, ie. Trinidad, etc. My skin color seemed to be a pretty favorable thing. In fact, my friend's mother (who is black) even asked if I would have children with her son so that she could have light grandchildren with "good" hair!
Now, I know the history and the reasons (Dominican/Haitian strife, etc.) but it was still a bit shocking to feel the extent to which skin color is an issue. As an Indian person, I am WELL acquainted with the "light bright and close to white" ideal and am even told to stay out of the sun (not b/c of the damaging effects) by some older relatives of mine. To which I respond by laughing, and spending as much time as I can in the sun!
Now, I know the history and the reasons (Dominican/Haitian strife, etc.) but it was still a bit shocking to feel the extent to which skin color is an issue. As an Indian person, I am WELL acquainted with the "light bright and close to white" ideal and am even told to stay out of the sun (not b/c of the damaging effects) by some older relatives of mine. To which I respond by laughing, and spending as much time as I can in the sun!