Skin whitening creams – the movement for change

In the fourth of his articles discussing anti-Blackness and colourism in South Asian communities, Dhruva Balram discusses skin-whitening creams, how they link to anti-Blackness and the movement for change. Around the turn of the century, a string of controversial commercials appeared on television screens in India. The advertisements had viewers in an uproar. These commercials, which… Read More

Anti-blackness in South Asian communities – how do we break the cycle?

In the first of a series exploring the issue, Dhruva Balram discusses the history and social implications of colourism in South Asia and diaspora communities,  and how this relates to anti-Blackness worldwide. Colourism, and its close relative anti-Blackness, is a pervasive scourge that underpins any notion of progress the South Asian community attempts to make.… Read More

How should we teach children about contested histories?

by Farah Elahi  In recent years, there have been numerous campaigns for the inclusion of marginalised histories in the national curriculum. These campaigns have been successful in retaining key black British figures such as Mary Seacole and Olaudah Equiano in history lessons. However, inclusion is not enough. We must go further, ensuring that these stories… Read More

What’s R(ace) Got To Do With It?: White Privilege & (A)sexuality

by Alok Vaid-Menon  There is an absence of dialogue around asexuality and all of its associated critiques from many queer spaces I’ve been a part of. The first time I ever saw someone like me having sex was in a spam internet advertisement in India. “Hairy Mallu Boys.” And I may have followed the link.… Read More

Challenging Mistaken Assumptions about Honour-Based Violence

Honour-Based Violence is part of a spectrum of violence against women that all too readily has become associated with certain cultures. Drawing from her research and activism Dr Aisha K. Gill *[1] tackles the racialisation of HBV and women’s complicity with it Violence against women and girls (VAWG) committed in the name of ‘honour’ is attracting increasing attention around the world.… Read More

A Radical Education?

The Bloomsbury Bubble by Bidushi Dhungel Like every other minority student with good A level results and pushy parents, when I applied to university, I applied with a strong determination to do my family and “people” proud. After being rejected by Oxford, where I underwent the most daunting of interviews in which, during one, my… Read More

Yes…#DarkIsBeautiful @PONDS

‘Ponds White Beauty’ .”gives your skin a radiant pinkish white glow” by Taimour Fazlani In India resides an industry that in the year 2010 raked in £432 million from its invariably loyal and dependent customers. This industry, since 2010, has projected growth of 18% every year. This industry had 233 tons of its various products… Read More

Are you down for brown?

by Farzana Rahman As a dark-complexioned, brown, South Asian Muslim woman, at any one point in my prolific dating career, I’ve had to deal with iterations of the following conversation: (Where X denotes men I have dated, and Y = me). X: “I didn’t think you would talk to me!” Y: “Why?” X: “Cos you’re… Read More