Why is the standard that “white is right” so prevalent in a community with such a wide range of skin tones?

This standard may have originated because of the belief that working in the fields tans skin, and the wealthy did not have to work in the fields. Pale and rich appear synonymous.

Skin bleaching creams and at-home skin whitening videos have taken the region and its diaspora by storm. The danger and consequences are overlooked - serious harm can be caused.

Also enforced on youth, this standard has manifested itself through mothers wishing for fair-skinned babies, and parents wanting their children to get pale partners. All children deserve to feel comfortable with their skin colour and South Asian children are not an exception.

As South Asians, we should not only respect but admire our diversity. It is not a weakness but a strength.