"Role models beauty more than skin deep" in Sowetan on February 12 refers.
"Role models beauty more than skin deep" in Sowetan on February 12 refers.
I heard Dr Ncoza Dlova most impressively articulate the devastating consequences of skin-whitening creams.
Our interest stems from the lack of public attention and research into the socio-political function of these creams. Apartheid's racist propaganda of black as inferior and white as superior induced self-loathing, which debilitates the advancement of many blacks to this day.
Our research on a casualty of these products laced with hydroquinone speaks of the circumstances prevalent then. Dlova tells of the irreversible damage to skin, poverty and white opinion of blacks. It is one of the most painful testimonies of dehumanisation, yet this crime escaped the TRC. Manufacturers exploited apartheid and made astronomical profits from themisery of blacks - and never apologised.
A key objective of The Apartheid Museum is tofoster a cognitive understanding of how these and other racist actions impacted on the way we look at, and behave towards each other. Those creams impeded black self actualisation. Apartheid left a nation severely traumatised and until we address them, true reconciliation will remain an elusive hope.
Mike Stainbank, Apartheid Museum
Skin whiteners and true healing
"Role models beauty more than skin deep" in Sowetan on February 12 refers.
"Role models beauty more than skin deep" in Sowetan on February 12 refers.
I heard Dr Ncoza Dlova most impressively articulate the devastating consequences of skin-whitening creams.
Our interest stems from the lack of public attention and research into the socio-political function of these creams. Apartheid's racist propaganda of black as inferior and white as superior induced self-loathing, which debilitates the advancement of many blacks to this day.
Our research on a casualty of these products laced with hydroquinone speaks of the circumstances prevalent then. Dlova tells of the irreversible damage to skin, poverty and white opinion of blacks. It is one of the most painful testimonies of dehumanisation, yet this crime escaped the TRC. Manufacturers exploited apartheid and made astronomical profits from themisery of blacks - and never apologised.
A key objective of The Apartheid Museum is tofoster a cognitive understanding of how these and other racist actions impacted on the way we look at, and behave towards each other. Those creams impeded black self actualisation. Apartheid left a nation severely traumatised and until we address them, true reconciliation will remain an elusive hope.
Mike Stainbank, Apartheid Museum