Artist Statement:

How internalized racism harms people in the South Asian community and what does it stem from?

 

 

Internalized Racism comes from the idea that “the conscious and unconscious acceptance of a racial hierarchy in which white people are consistently ranked above people of color”. South Asian internalized racism stems from a multigenerational culture as well as the influences of the American beauty industry and media. Many South Asians often feel inferior due to being persuaded to feel as though Eurocentrism and Eurocentric features are superior to that of their own. I touched upon the beauty's industry heavy aptitude to only promote that of Eurocentric beauty, which can contribute to forces that make South Asians feel they are not welcome to American's society and they themselves are not pretty. In terms of multigenerational culture, colorism is a huge factor in south Asian culture which makes especially South Asian women feel as they are placed on a color shade range their entire lives. Finally touching upon that of the double standards and its effect on south Asians, as seen in magazines, models, and western culture-having tan skin, bigger lips, and thick eyebrows- is looked up upon and wowed by that of the western media, but looked as inferior when they are naturally features of those of South Asians. Internalized racism is the cause of many mental health issues amongst South Asian's which was a main motive of mine for this project.