The Editor, Sir:

Sometimes, we Jamaicans may be too harsh in our assessment and judgement of each other, and overlook the basic right to differ. Mary Ann Leamy's letter on 2008-02-06 "Black pride under threat from bleaching" is a case in point.

Surely, the use of a bleaching cream is not sufficiently significant to undermine the entire black culture, and if so, then the culture is not well founded. These products were in use in the 1960s, went out of vogue and have returned. According to Ms Leamy's letter, about 20 per cent of us are now using them. That is minuscule compared to the number of white people using all manner and sorts of methods to darken their skins, some that lead to skin cancer. Is white pride facing dark days, or is this trend just another fashion craze?

Bias

Why is there not a similar outrage over the chemical straightening and colouring of our hair? Straight, blond hair is even less natural to us than is light skin. What about extending our hair to lengths way beyond the reach of our DNA? My hair is now tinted red and I doubt it was either a conscious or unconscious move to bring out the Irish in me.

Throughout history, skin colour has had more to do with economic and social standing than a straight race correlation. In European and Indian cultures, pale skin was prized because it implied that one did not work in the fields and as such was not exposed to the elements. Today, in European culture, a deeply tanned skin is associated with social standing, people able to afford exotic vacations. A pale skin implied that you have not been abroad nor have the resources to fake it in a tanning salon.

Even in Jamaica, this striving for colour change may just be the vagaries of modern culture. Overall, it may be good that we are all symbolically leaning towards the centre, whites trying to get dark and dark to get light.

I am, etc.,

DOREEN McGANN

doreenmcgann@aim.com

OrionvSgen 20

JSrfSlla, Stockholm

Sweden

Via Go-Jamaica