Nomasonto Mnisi (before and after)
*If you thought the skin-lightening thing that was all the rage a few years ago among blacks in the Caribbean was a fad, wait’ll you see what’s happening in Africa. In particular, South Africa.
When we think of South Africa, we can’t help but the think of Nelson Mandela and black people who are proud to be … black! But would you believe that for some black South Africans there is such a thing as being too black.
A recent study by the University of Cape Town hints that one woman in three in South Africa bleaches her skin. The reasons for this are as varied as the cultures in the country but most people say they use skin-lighteners because they want “white skin,” reports the BBC.
One such woman is musician Nomasonto “Mshoza” Mnisi. Now several shades lighter, she says her new skin makes her feel more beautiful and confident.
She has been widely criticized in the local media and social networking sites for her appearance but the 30-year-old says skin-bleaching is a personal choice, no different from breast implants or a having nose job.
“I’ve been black and dark-skinned for many years, I wanted to see the other side. I wanted to see what it would be like to be white and I’m happy,” she says candidly.
Over the past couple of years Ms Mnisi has had several treatments. Each session can cost around 5,000 rand (£360; $590), she tells the BBC.
Unlike many in the country, she uses high-end products which are believed to be safer than the creams sold on the black market but they are by no means risk-free, doctors say.
Costly beauty
Ms Mnisi says she does not understand the criticism about her new appearance.
“Yes, part of it is a self-esteem issue and I have addressed that and I am happy now. I’m not white inside, I’m not really fluent in English, I have black kids. I’m a township girl, I’ve just changed the way I look on the outside,” she says.
The dangers associated with the use of some of these creams include blood cancers such as leukaemia and cancers of the liver and kidneys, as well as a severe skin condition called ochronosis, a form of hyper-pigmentation which causes the skin to turn a dark purple shade, according to senior researcher at the University of Cape Town, Dr Lester Davids.
“Very few people in South Africa and Africa know the concentration of the toxic compounds that are contained in the products on the black market and that is concerning. We need to do more to educate people about these dangerous products,” says Dr Davids.
But skin-lightening is not just a fascination and obsession of women, the BBC report says. Congolese hair stylist Jackson Marcelle says he has been using special injections to bleach his skin for the past 10 years. Each injection lasts for six months.
“I pray every day and I ask God, ‘God why did you make me black?’ I don’t like being black. I don’t like black skin,” he says.
Skin lightening creams in a market in Yeoville, Johannesburg Skin lightening creams are popular in many parts of Africa
Mr Marcelle – known as Africa’s Michael Jackson – says his mother used to apply creams on him when he was young in order to make him appear “less black.”
“I like white people. Black people are seen as dangerous; that’s why I don’t like being black. People treat me better now because I look like I’m white,” he adds.
Wow. Read more of the article at BBC News.
WTF? . . . .this article is crazy
Totally agree!
Agreed nightshift. Some people have serious esteem issues. They’ve stated their reasons why
they do it. Those aren’t good reasons to me but I’m not the one going through it. People need
to be comfortable with who they are. That’s easier said than done though.
WOW !!!!!!!!!!! I……..don’t know what the say. smh.
There’s nothing WORST than to shelf hate and envy/hate others who are your race..which is quite common especially with black folk..
She’s ridiculous & STUPID.. to shelf hate to the degree of intentionally changing her appearance to look white..
..so how is she going to explain, because we all know she wants a white male to have children with..how is she going to explain to her baby’s daddy.. when her daughter at birth is going to look like big mama..her mama?.. when dude thinks his baby’s mama is white..(laughing)….
Well, I guess that adds credence to my argument that I’m Black – Black American – American-born Black, not African American. I have no concept of the self-esteem issues that would lead someone to apply chemicals to their skin for anything other than adding moisture. Sammy Sosa, Vybz Kartel, now chickie-doo who wasn’t dark to begin with (and honestly only appears a couple of shades lighter, probably less so without the drastically disparate lighting conditions in the before and after photos).
I agree with you 100% on this I’m Back Not African American!!!!!!!!!!!
I co-sign. Let me just be what I am … Black American. I hope this term comes back into popular use one day SOON!
I’m african american, being an american is your nationality not your heriiage.. your heritiage is african, just like those in america whose ancestors are from italy, asia, germany, etc.,, considered italian -american, asian- american, german- american and NOT one of those outside of africa living in america are ASHAMED of their heritage– only those who perfer and named as BLACK american ARE ashamed of their african heritage..again SELF hate of one’s heritage-similar and the same to this african woman who is ashamed of being african.. y’all are no different than she,,being ashamed..and prefer black..(laughing)..
Black is a color first and considered EVIL, fearful, negative, if you don’t believe this? Look the word up in the dictionary and then look up the word white as well and trust me when you say black and call yourself as such..that is what you are saying about yourself and others will confer..there’s nothing positive about the description of the word..
I’m more than a COLOR.. I come from a heritage the cradle of HUMAN civilization which started in africa and stolen by the greeks and europeans which is a FACT who were living in caves and inter breeding and eating each other.. for survival.
..sorry you so called black americans don’t know this.. a negro actually thinks as such..not educated african americans… the term african american is here to STAY and is on all documents as such(black american is not on any legal documents) …we as a people finally know who we are as people..africans living in america..get over it..stop letting those who don’t look like you define you.. because certainly they wouldn’t let you define who they are upon heritage..but you let others who don’t look like you define you upon your heritage? Really?
We will NEVER EVER go back to being black americans.. another name approved by white americans to deny what they did to africans to build this nation for FREE upon the deaths of slaves giving their lives-worked literally to death for their owners…how were they able to do this? By not letting them know from which they came.. when a race of people are dumb to this fact.. will remain divided, confused and LOST.. similar to the infrastructure of this nation profitable slave trade.. which torn african families apart to keep them apart..knowing who they were and are for generations to come.
THANKS ALEX HALEY for showing us the truth and how its done to be WHOLE as people like other race of people on planet earth..and how the value is knowing first who we are and what our heritage is,, as AFRICAN AMERICANS!.
Reading the linked article, I have to say hot-damn, the onus is on Black Americans, as members of the leading nation of the world to TRULY integrate and participate in our political society and prove that black is beautiful and black is powerful and black is strong and black is … simply normal. We have not only our sons and daughters, but the sons and daughters of the entire African diaspora to role model for.
This is very sad.
I have hoped for a better understanding of our cousins (no longer brothers and sisters, IMO, if they EVER were) across the Atlantic, but this kind of thing doesn’t help at all. I know our own people here did this same thing back in the day, before “Say It Loud, I’m Black and I’m Proud,” but was it to THIS extreme???
I grew up with “color-struck” parents, aunt AND uncles . . .it DOES kill your esteem and self worth knowing/feeling, it’s all based on what they (who’ve raised you), consider attractive . . .. I know to a lot of us posting that this sadly, “ain’t nothing new”. . .what’s scary is, that they’ve been doing this since that were mere tots. IMO she wasn’t “dark” . . . I wonder if she’s got a cream for that hair peaking from under her wig in that picture LOL.
This WAS a beautiful black woman in the skin she was born in. Her genes are still black !!!!!!!!
This is a crying shame! Who told you you were not beautiful in your black skin?
Somebody please define what is a beautiful woman!
African woman and black woman in general have been exposed to too many black men with low self esteem. Men who think the color of a person’s skin makes them a man/better man. The issue not in the color of the skin. The issue is what’s in the package.
Light colored packages are not so light on the inside and comes with a lot of negative qualities too.
Of course this is true with any race/skin color
luckily(?), while not limited to Black folks, (humans), we are our own worst enemies.
Many Africans and African Americans have a mentality like Sam Jackson’s character in Django. This is a big problem that continues to negatively affect our communities.
To think that these people would actually risk getting cancer …. SMH. WHERE is MelodyCool?!
There are quote Uncle Tom’s in all races.
I hope I am mistaken reading some of the comments on this subject.Just because there are some people like that in Africa,there are probably 1000-1 that are not having that bs
To count our brothers and sisters out ,because of these fools, is like Africans thinking ,all Blacks in America are like T Gen (lol)Reds,(lol) Herman Cain and Clarence Thomas!!!
So being black is NOT seen as being beautiful in Africa.
*An interview was conducted on Nomasonto Mnisi. Above shows a before and after pic of just her as if this is a prime example that represent ALL others in Africa totally feeling the same way.
Statement such as “But would you believe that for some black South Africans there is such a thing as being too black”
* Now this statement infers that SOME black South Africans there’s a such thing as being too black.
*Uncle Tom & Aunt Jane. House verses the field. Some real “boo-zhee” sh*t as usual being reported by person representing – Eurweb
Even if she bathes in Clorox everyday, people will still see her as a black African especially white people. This is one of the very reasons I have NEVER bought my daughters white dolls and I won’t buy by granddaughters white dolls. Black is beautiful and it comes in a variety of pretty shades. Whereas you can only get so many shades of pink…but if white is right, then why are so many spending thousands to get brown, full lips, big breast and a big booty…I love my black skin and wouldn’t trade it for NOTHING in the world and I want my daughters to love their black skin. I was with a guy who he and his mother were so color struck and he would call my oldest daughter darkie and buck wheat and before I allowed his and his mother’s ignorance to affect my daughter’s self esteem, I bounced big time. My daughter is drop dead gorgeous and has two beautiful brown daughters….
Y’all ain’t ready for the reality of your own behavior, not what you say. Think about it, EUR is full of stories and images of Black Americans, particularly women, with all types of fake, cosmetic adjustments to their natural selves. It’s so bad that most Black women think “permed” hair is natural. Not to mention the fact that most Black VIPs, particularly those that make it in da Man’s world, have White or damn-near white sexual partners. Let’s face it folks, His Black culture is a bust for regular Black folks. It’s time to redefine Our Black Culture (see Runawayslave-runawayslave.blogspot.com).