I posted the above article because I consider it one of the least discussed problems among blacks (and even on this board) and also because very, very recently, a woman in my country DIED after suffering severe side-effects (“skin-burns”) due to prolonged skin-bleaching by way of creams. I know many black people would rather “hush up” and not discuss skin-bleaching, but it is a quite common phenomenon not only among (Afrikan/black) women, but—I recently found out— I think also among men! Yes, even some black men (at least in Afrika) do bleach!

My concern is to address the following:

1. Why do people bleach their skin? If women bleach their skin to feel “desirable” or “attractive” or attract men, do men also bleach to attract women?

2. KEY QUESTION: Can someone that bleaches their skin be “proud to be black” or isn’t that a contradiction, a severe psychological deficiency?

3. How could bleaching be banned in all Afrikan countries, such as it currently is in the Gambia?

4. How does each and every one of us in the Black Community contribute to this malaise, in that the general tendency or current trend among blacks is to “look light”?

5. Are blacks in general open enough to discuss the problems associated with skin-bleaching, i.e. even those affected, or do we really know the inner reason why people bleach their skin?

ANY REPLIES ….?