Assignment on

‘’Why we consider whiteness as a standard of beauty’’

What is Beauty?
‘’ Beauty is the illumination of soul’’
(John O Donohue)
In most societies beauty is defined by wealth and privileged. People with fair complexion are
considered to be beautiful as their light skin tone has made them presentable in every manners
and sometimes such people become extremely self-obsessed and started D grading the people
with dark skin tone.

Whiteness as a symbol of beauty:

In our society we differentiate people on the basis of

their skin colors like we consider a person with light tone (white or fair complexion) beautiful
and attractive. Not only this we recommend fairness beauty products to the people having dark
skin tone.
This not only shatters their (dark people) confidence but also drags them towards
severe depression which then makes them feel inferior in society. Some people lose their
confidence and start doing what others order them to do just to match the level of beauty
standards raised in our fake generous and peaceful environment. But some people proved to be
educated by accepting themselves and other people as they are regardless of light and dark skin
tones.
Unfortunately, still non-white persons are not considered to be beautiful until they
become white. Many companies promotes their products of whitening as considering whiteness
as a symbol of beauty. These harmful and so called skin care products contains mercury and
other chemicals which damages skin cells to make it look fair but the story not ends here these
products causes many serious diseases like skin cancer. But the young educated generation lacks
all these beauty allegations, they are aware of the side effects of these beauty products and they
avoid using them.
To me beauty is all about imperfections which makes every individual look
different and flaunt in his/her on way and makes them confident and courageous enough to face
the world with their own charm and learn to embrace their self values.
African- American (Black People)

 In 1880s, 10.7 million Africans are brought to America forcefully to do slavery

 450 were shipped to united state
 There are 37,144,530 blacks which comprised 12.1% of the population
 This number is increased up to 42 million according to united state census in 2010
 Black people were treated badly in the beginning just because they don’t have fair
complexion and lacks beauty standards of society
 That’s the reason why European people used them (black people) as their slaves.

European- American (White People)

 European Americans are descended from first Europe and then settled in
America
 They constitute 72.4% of the total population of America
 They have fair complexion and blonde hairs
 Europeans came to America to make them healthy
 Their aim was to broaden the influence of people of America in worlds affairs
 According to united state census 2010 they constitute the majority of 308
million people living in America

Gap between Black and White:

Residential segregation is a major reason of gap and inequality between the black and
white Americans as the residential segregation is the major source of unequal rights for the
African Americans as they are D Graded in every institute and are bullied as slaves.

So in order to stop this heinous allegation government at all levels made

policies that eliminates segregation and built anti-segregation policies. But the residential
segregation between the black and white Americans remains very high until the passage of 1968
Fair Housing Act.

Residential segregation matters immensely as it affects the lives of people as

their access to education, transportation, career opportunities and good health care services. As
the separation of African-Americans from their region and families (when they are sent to
America as slaves) draws enormous wealth gap between two races: white and black Americans.

On the other hand, the white people started accusing black people for poverty in the state as they
are not much wealthy as white people are and black people have no opportunities to make them
financially stable in the state & maintain respect.

Racism in America
In America the white people are always priorities and provided with
best educational, social, political and health facilities.
While in contrary to this the black people and other minorities are pressed in every aspect of life.
They are treated badly and misbehaving with them become so much usual.

According to Merriam Webster Racism is:

‘’A belief that race is the primary determinant of human traits and capacities and that
racial differences produce an inherent superiority of a particular race ‘’

Recently a movement arise in America in the favor of

black people with the slogan. ‘’BLACK LIFE MATTERS’’ This happens for the justice of
George Floyd and all other people of dark community who have suffered a lot because of
discrimination, color, cast and greed.

Black & White Conflicts

There is an undergoing conflict between the black and white

Americans, black persons are treated badly and they facing bully and other weird things after
2016 elections. They are 1000 deadly shootings by the police in the country each year and
mostly black people are targeted and killed.
Only 55% white Americans are in the favor of black
persons but majority stands with racism. Gap between black and white in economic security has
widen as 71% black Americans face discrimination.
  Social conflicts in American life
 Race conflict
 Perception conflict
 Political conflicts

Due to rise of these issues America is facing many obstacles in

maintaining and promoting peace as they are lacking moral values and equal rights.

Martin Luther King

An American minister and activist who stood up for the rights and
equality for the black people in the state. He worked for the African American and became the
most visible and prominent speaker.

He was a leader in civil rights movement from 1955 until

his assassination in 1968. He was born in Atlanta, Georgia on January 15th 1929. He was the
advocate of black Americans in civil movement and strived hard for the better lives. He was shot
and killed at April 4th 1968 in Memphis, Tennessee’s.

Martin faced a lot of hardships and struggles in his mission to gain equality. He received many
threats but still he chooses to stand with his vision of achieving respectable place for the African-
Americans in the state. He got arrested twenty times for protesting for his national rights but not
only this his house was bombed and he was mentally torched but still he stood with his words.
 He also wrote a book ‘’I Have a Dream’’ which spreads his inspiring
speech for the freedom, equality and peace. According to Martin Luther:

‘’Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere’’

‘’Our lives begin to end the day we become silent about thing that matter’’

‘’The time is always right to do what is right’’

‘’Darkness cannot drive out darkness only light can do that, hate cannot drive out hate
only love can do that’’

‘’Forgiveness is not an occasional act it’s a constant attitude’’

Martin Luther King has worked a lot for the black Americans, to provide
them basic rights regardless of race. He claimed to have civil rights and equality for the African
Americans as the British Americans have. Martin said that the United States is a void of
segregation and racism.

In 1950s he strived hard to achieve his objectives and promote peaceful

protest for this purpose. He faced many allegations and hardship in this struggle as his opponents
miss no chance to weak his determination and they did a lot to make him to give up on his aim
but still Martin remained persistent and this struggle let him to win and chanted his idea of
equality.

Martin did a lot to end racism and segregation in the United States and for this purpose he
plotted out series of small objectives at grassroots level which helped him in making his agenda
more strong and concise.

During a March in Washington on August 28, 1963 Mr. Martin delivered

a speech ‘’I Have a Dream’’ as a social activist and civil rights promoter. In his speech he
highlighted his agenda so well that people became slaves of his captivating words and stood with
him.
According to Islam
In Islam there is no such concept of racism and judging people on the
behalf of their living, appearance, color, cast, greed etc. In fact Islam preaches that nobody is
superior all are equal. Islam spreads the message of peace and guides people to accept each other
without any judgement. No man has superiority over other and no one is inferior. Islam not only
promote peace and humanity but also guides the people to help each other in the time of need.

As our Holy Prophet (BPUH) SAID:

‘’A Muslim should never leave another Muslim helpless in the time of need’’

In Quran Allah Almighty said:

"O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female, and have made you into
nations and tribes, that you may know one another. Indeed the most honored of you in the
sight of Allah is the most righteous. Indeed, Allah is Knowing and Acquainted" [Quran
49:13]

1. Deep appreciation of diversity, as referred to in Surah Ar-Rum:

And of His signs is the creation of the heavens and the earth and the diversity of
your languages and your colors. Indeed in that are signs for those of knowledge.
[30:22]

2. Exchange of meaningful dialogue, as expressed in Surah Al-Hujurat:

O mankind, indeed We have created you from male and female and made you
peoples and tribes that you may know one another. […] [49:13]
3. Self-reflection in the fight against arrogance, in opposition to the actions of Iblees (Satan):

[Allah] said, “O Iblees, what prevented you from prostrating to that which I created
with My hands? Were you arrogant [then], or were you [already] among the
haughty?” He said, “I am better than him. You created me from fire and created
him from clay.” [Allah] said, “Then get out of Paradise, for indeed, you are expelled.
[…].” [38:75-77]

4. Promotion of righteousness and unity, as described in the Prophet Muhammad’s

‫ ﷺ‬Last Sermon:

All mankind is from Adam and Eve, an Arab has no superiority over a non-Arab
nor a non-Arab has any superiority over an Arab; also a white has no superiority
over black nor a black has any superiority over white except by piety and good
action. Learn that every Muslim is a brother to every Muslim and that the Muslims
constitute one brotherhood. Nothing shall be legitimate to a Muslim which belongs
to a fellow Muslim unless it was given freely and willingly. Do not, therefore, do
injustice to yourselves. Remember, one day you will appear before Allah and answer
your deeds. So beware, do not stray from the path of righteousness after I am gone.

Conclusion

Having a white complexion is not an epitome of beauty but having a good heart can
be. The world today lacks the true essence of beauty as we all have wrong perception that if a
person is white then he/she is beautiful and deserves appreciation everywhere and the darker one
is always devalued although if that person is skillful and intelligent: with this mentality we are
leading our coming generation to the verge of devastation because if we want to live peacefully
in this world we should learn to accept everyone the way ALLAH has created them. Race, cast,
color, ethnicity has nothing to do with BEAUTY everyone is unique in his/her on way. We
should learn to love and accept people the way they are instead of dragging and pressing them to
be fit in the frame of our ideal preview. As world is already going through a lot of destructions
and we all needed to be united to overcome hardships rather than downsizing each other on the
basis color, cast and creed.