When I was in school, be it the Christmas drama play or a skit, I was always made to play the role of Satan because I was dark-skinned, while fair-skinned children were cast as the angel.

In class five, I had to play the role of pain and suffering in our school skit. And when the teacher asked another teacher why she assigned me to do that particular role, she said, “Oh, she is dark and she would suit that role perfectly.”

Growing up I was always called names. People would say, “Can you please smile? If you smile, then at least we can see your teeth. So in the dark, we will be able to figure out where you are standing.”

Such statements used to break my heart and make me feel worthless. There was one point in life where I thought I will not be able to achieve anything and I will not succeed in life. Thanks to the TV ads that sold the idea that if a girl is dark, she cannot study, she cannot succeed in life, or even find the right match, etc. They made me wonder, “Why me?”. They were times I used to cry. I couldn’t sleep properly. I tried different creams, different things, just with the hope that someday I’ll become light and be acceptable in society. I have cursed myself, I have cursed my parents. Every time I prayed, I used to ask God,” Why were you being so partial, why did you have favorites that you had to create someone so ugly and so dark while you created the other person fair-skinned, light and beautiful. Why should that person be me? Sign my petition

My confidence took a beating.  I would hesitate to participate in anything, to even come out and talk to people because I was afraid that someone would make comments about my skin tone. I stopped attending weddings and social events. I hardly have any photographs from my growing years because I simply avoided being photographed, especially in groups. All because of the taunts about my dark skin.

This has been my story and I don’t want this to happen to any other child or person. It took me a while to realize the problem is not in me. It is with our society and the mindset that believes that only fair is lovely. A society that doesn’t just ask “Is it a boy or a girl” when news of birth comes but also, “is the baby dark or fair?”.  Even the cinema stars today, sometimes come with dusky skin but as they flourish and grow in the industry, they go for lightning treatments and change their color, which is directly telling the generation around them that being dark-skinned is not beautiful. The cosmetics industry has capitalized on this mindset and our collective insecurities by launching a line of fairness creams and brightening products. Sign my petition against it.

Last year, a global public outcry over racial attacks forced the biggest cosmetic giant in the world, Unilever, to change the name of their bestselling product Fair and Lovely. It was a significant first step and I hoped other brands would follow. 

It’s been a year since but fairness products still continue to be produced, marketed, and sold. I’ve started the campaign because I believe it is important to hold accountable not just the brands but also the platforms that sell them. Like Amazon, the American e-commerce company that occupies 30% of the Indian e-commerce market. Out of curiosity, I searched the word “fairness” on the Amazon shopping site and got over 4000 results. 

Sign my petition asking Amazon to stop the sale of all kinds of fair products on their website and app. I believe it will send out a powerful message if Amazon sets a positive example for other e-commerce companies to follow. Amazon can use its influence to help create a world that brings dark-skinned children out of their cocoon and ends the discrimination that has gone on for decades and centuries.

The company pulled fairness products from their site in the US after activists pointed out that such products are not only racist but also dangerous as they contain toxic levels of mercury. I believe that this is actionable for the company here in India too. 

What will the world be like when Amazon decides to stand up for us? We will all live in a world free from discrimination based on color and caste too. A world where every individual will be valued only for who they are and for their qualities, skills, and capabilities. Only then will society truly progress as a whole.

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