People are usually unaware of the exact era, some believe it roots back to colonialism and only stood as an issue once the British rule ended, where as others say it has always existed. Despite the historically differing views, as we know it today – dark skin prejudice is a largely problematic intraracial issue, which affects almost all cultures and communities.
Being of South Asian heritage myself, it’s disheartening to see the way the way that minds are conditioned into associating beauty with the fairness of the skin. Prejudicing darker skin tones is a problem that often dictates the way that young dark skinned people feel about their own skin, especially girls.
Today, I am in conversation with Jovita George, who is also known on the internet as Mr Jovita George. As a dark skinned Indian influencer on YouTube, she kicks the stereotypes aside and let’s her confident and unique personality shine through.
I came across her channel almost a year ago, one video in particular grabbed my attention. Now months later, I just had to learn more about her story.
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How long have you been on YouTube? I have had my YouTube account since 2011 but, I took to creating content for my channel seriously in 2014.
What sparked the idea of uploading your first video online? I used to be a TV anchor in India. After a while, I decided to stop TV and move to Kuwait, where my family lives. This is when I discovered the YouTube world. I noticed that there were no brown girls in the scene back then, and also, every video I watched seemed to be too long and too complicated. So, I decided to make my own little videos, short and precise for my brown girls.
It was refreshing to see a fashion/lifestyle vlogger address issues of prejudice against dark skinned people; as it is a topic that most people tend to shy away from actually discussing out in the open. In your video response to ‘Fair & Lovely’, you mentioned how advertisements for whitening creams consist of role plays in which a girl is seemingly down casted in her professional life before she lightens her skin. What advice would you give to young girls/boys who fall victim to money making companies?
I have gone through this prejudice, and so I understand. While I did television, I was also a fashion model. Many movie offers came my way too. At the end of a lot of the offers I would hear, “We love you, but we need someone with fair skin!”
The least that we can do is ignore this nonsense, and continue on our path to success with hard work and dedication. Never give up. NEVER try to confirm to the society’s standard of beauty!
The society has made me try Fair & Lovely too. I have tried “Fairness face packs” too. Why should we be ashamed of who we are? Why should we try to change who we are? The only thing all of these products deliver is disappointment in self. I do much better without that, Thank you!
Shadism/Colourism is clearly not a myth and is in fact a large intra-racial issue in India and other South Asian cultures, light or lighter skinned people within a race are favoured. Do you feel that the rise of successful dark skinned people in the media has changed peoples perceptions?
Maybe a little. But we still have a long way to go. And change comes from us. We should not stoop to the Fairness Reign.
How did you overcome the lack of confidence in regards to your skin complexion/ how did you deal with the bullies?
When I was younger, bullies had the upper hand over me. But once I started doing TV, I realized how many 1000’s of little girls looked up at me as an example. I realized how many girls really needed to see more dark girls walk in the limelight along with all the other fair girls. Ultimately I realized the biggest lesson I probably ever learnt, it’s not the color of your skin, it’s what you do that matters! Still clinging on to skin color is silly in today’s world, and to be honest when I get a skin color related question, I get a little annoyed. Because, it really shouldn’t matter.
Are there any active girl power campaigns that you are following and think we could learn a thing or two from?
Non that I’m following, just because I havn’t had the time to read about any. I’m happy to join any that you recommend.
* (I suggest you look into the #unfairandlovely campaign on instagram, it was practically made for you!)*
As an inspiration to 120,000 + subscribers on YouTube – It would be interesting to learn a little about what inspires you…
My greatest driving force is my passion and competition with myself. It is never ending and sometimes tiring! :’D
Thank you for having me on your blog love. Wish you all the success! :*
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I believe Jovita is an inspiration to many young girls facing similar issues. I would like to give a massive thank you to Jovita for giving me the opportunity to feature her story, I’ll leave the links to her profile and YouTube channel. Follow her already! ♡
http://www.youtube.com/MrJovitageorge
https://www.instagram.com/mrjovitageorge/
https://m.facebook.com/MrJovita
To share your story and be featured on my blog, drop me an email on: rimsharasul8@gmail.com
Thanks for this. It made very interesting and relevant statements on the mindset in my world.
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Thank you for reading 😊
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This is an amazing article & I’m very proud of you. I, too have faced these issues and now with the course of time I’ve finally learned to love myself. Hats off! ❤✨
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Self-love is the greatest battle, you’re beautiful. ❤
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This is amazing Ree! Love what she’s doing. Love your efforts too. I hope this spreads among masses. 👍👏💌
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As long as I have the support of friends like you ❤
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An amazing post! Hats off to both of you. 👏👏👏
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Thank you sweetheart
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This is an amazing article…i think every girl should read it and learn how to face these issues.
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Thank you for reading 😊
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great article! definitely inspiring :’)
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Thank you rizwana 😊
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This is indeed an amazing piece and I absolutely love how it kills the unwanted notion of fair or dark stereotype.
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Well written article. Keep up the amazing works as always. 🙂
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Thank you for the support 🙂
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I have inspired a lot from jovitha.. I’m confident the way I’m and will not care wt others comment on my skin tone.. wonderful article😀 pls continue with these useful and inspirational article
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Thank you for the response Divya 🙂
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World definitely needs this change. Women out there need to have faith in themselves. Break all boundaries and stereotypes and love yourself.
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Thank you once again 😊
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Reblogged this on naseemkapoor and commented:
Preferring fairer skinned over darker skinned has corrupted lots of minds. Not only, girls look out on internet for home made remedies to get fairer skin in just a week, these skin whitening ads act as parasite on the minds of people.
I look out in the matrimonial ads which starts as fair complexion girl, 5. 6 height, 48 weight and much more. or looking for a fairer complexion girl. It is sickening. Just sickening.
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I feel females themselves are responsible for this state ,they are going crazy about being fair ,be natural .
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It’s easy to blame women themselves. Yes female conform to the beauty standards, which have been set by society and have been imprinted in the minds of youth from a very young age.
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Its a huge business ,billion dollars , if females don’t do an ad of such product will they be shot dead ? No ,they do it willingly to earn money and fame.
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The foundations of such business and the ads they make to promote their products are exactly what I am attempting to address. You may have misunderstood the entire concept of the post.
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Playing the part in advertisements is another issue in itself, the point of this article and interview is to encourage girls to love their skin tone and not buy into the selling of bleaching products.
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I understood ,point is you don’t support such products so you won’t endorse them, so those who support them are liking being a show piece and exposing their fake beauty
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Exactly..and those who endorse have their own morals and conscience to deal with. The ‘endosers’ nor ‘promoters’ can be stopped, the only way to break such misconceptions is to address those that believe their skin is ugly. Your point is valid and I appreciate it, but it’s just not one that suits the context of this post.
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Every individual is beautiful ,no matter ,colour or creed,problem is wrong mindset.
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How about we blame those who have brought this concept of get a fairer skin in weeks rather than blaming women.
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Beauty is skin deep. But all skin tones are lovely. Unless you have a orange glow about you. Great post.
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its truly sad that we still have to have conversations about skin color. We need to see people, not color.
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An excellent post and a good reminder to people that colour makes no difference at all.
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Thank you Peggy 😊
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This is such a great article. It’s interesting to see the same issue were facing here in Africa on different soil.
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Hey Tinashe, yes internalised racism often goes unnoticed but occurs in most communities. Thank you for reading 😊
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I totally agree with you. Keep going
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There is a full spectrum of skin tone and color all of which is beautiful.
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