Redefining X: Colorism in the Philippines | Ayn Bernos | Ayn Bernos | TEDxADMU

Summary

The speaker shares a personal journey of grappling with colorism, recounting childhood experiences of being labeled due to her skin tone. She explores the historical roots of colorism in Filipino culture, the pervasive influence of skin-whitening industries, and the impact of societal beauty standards on self-esteem. Through her college thesis, she analyzes advertisements to expose the discriminatory language and imagery. The speaker advocates for change, encouraging individuals to challenge colorist ideologies and to embrace diversity in skin tones. She highlights the power of language and the importance of self-acceptance, aiming for a future where skin color does not dictate potential or success.

Takeaways

• 🏊‍♀️ The speaker spent much of their childhood swimming, leading to darker skin and exposure to colorism-related teasing.
• 🌞 The desire to avoid further darkening led to the speaker quitting swimming and seeking skin whitening products.
• 🎓 In college, the speaker discovered the term 'colorism' and began to understand the deep-rooted issue of discrimination against darker skin.
• 📚 The speaker's thesis research revealed the prevalence of colorism in advertising, with a focus on promoting 'whiteness' as the ideal.
• 💡 Colorism is historically linked to colonial times, where lighter skin was associated with wealth and status, and this bias persists.
• 💰 The skin whitening industry is a multi-billion dollar business, reflecting the internalized preference for lighter skin.
• 🗣️ Language plays a significant role in perpetuating colorist ideologies, and changing this language is a step towards change.
• 🌐 Social media is empowering individuals to challenge colorism and advocate for a more inclusive and diverse representation of beauty.
• 💪 The speaker calls for individuals in positions of power to be mindful of their influence and to promote change from within.
• 🌟 The ultimate goal is to create a society where skin color does not determine one's potential, opportunities, or self-worth.

Q & A

What was the speaker's childhood activity that led to her darker skin tone?

The speaker spent most of her childhood as a swimmer, which involved spending three to four hours under the sun during the summer.

What derogatory names did the speaker experience from her classmates due to her skin tone?

The speaker was called names such as 'uling', 'charcoal', 'negra', which were not compliments.

Why did the speaker decide to quit swimming at the age of 13?

The speaker decided to quit swimming because her skin was getting darker and darker, and her self-esteem dropped due to the negative names she was called by her classmates.

What did the speaker do in her first year of university to counteract the effects of sun exposure on her skin?

The speaker ran to the drugstore to find a fast-acting whitening lotion after playing beach volleyball for two hours under the sun.

What term does the speaker use to describe the discrimination against darker-skinned people?

The speaker uses the term 'colorism' to describe the discrimination against darker-skinned people, especially within the same ethnic group.

What was the main focus of the speaker's thesis during her fourth year in college?

The main focus of the speaker's thesis was to study and understand colorism and its impact on society.

How did the speaker analyze the representation of skin color in advertisements for her thesis?

The speaker analyzed 40 advertisements between 2012 to 2014, noting the frequency and connotations of words associated with white and dark skin, such as 'white', 'whiter', 'whitening', 'flawless', 'perfect', 'rosy glowy', 'oily', and 'dull'.

What is the current status of the skin whitening industry as mentioned in the script?

The skin whitening industry is described as a billion-dollar industry, indicating its significant presence and influence.

What are some of the real-life experiences of discrimination shared in the script?

The script shares experiences such as being rejected for a job as a flight attendant due to skin color, being profiled and barred from entering a mall, and being called 'exotic' by people from outside the country.

How is social media helping to change perceptions about colorism according to the speaker?

Social media is helping by providing a platform for people to voice their opinions against colorism, with millennials and Gen Z fighting back against problematic messaging and promoting self-acceptance and confidence in their skin color.

What is the speaker's hope for the future regarding skin color and potential?

The speaker hopes for a future where skin color does not determine one's potential or success, and where people are not judged or limited by their skin color.