Bleaching, Cake Soap, Whiteners - Ah Wah Do Dem?

As a West Indian-American young lady, I know the stereotypes and stigmas that our Carib people endure, experience and subject themselves to on a daily basis. One of those issues that we still battle to this day is the skin color/skin tone issue. Light-skinned versus Dark-skinned. This is an age old battle that never seems to get old - but is continually growing into a cancer in our communities. The latest headline maker is Jamaica's own Vybz Kartel, who was known for making fun of those who bleach - but is now doing it himself. 

Even non-Caribbean people know Vybz for his catchy Dancehall
songs like "Tek Buddy Gyal," off 2000's "Tunda Clap Riddim." That song was his breakthrough hit - and was all over NYC's radio stations that summer. His recent hit., "Clarks" is an ode to the ever-so-popular Clark's Wallabee shoe that is a staple item in the Yardie closet. 


Kartel is noticeably a dark-skinned man in all of his pictures, but has been getting notably lighter as the years progress. His 2008 beef with international Dancehall star Mavado brought his skin issue to light. The diss track "Shotta Nuh Bleach Wid Cream" was a blatant shot at Kartel using lighteners on his skin. Not having been to Jamaica for some amount of years, I wouldn't have a clue that this was going on. Seeing him in his music videos, though - made this evident.


Take a look at him now: 

Clearly, this man has some identity issues. Is this the image that we're sending out to our young Island kids? 
It's hard enough knowing that they're out there listening to "Beg Yuh a F*ck," and "Rompin' Shop" - but to see them following after their favorite artist in such an unhealthy way? We don't think Jamaica has enough problems? Jeezam. 




Kartel speaks on bleaching here:





I've covered stories on Jamaican families bleaching in my old blog "Dem Ah Bleach ((2008))"  - and it seems I must bring back the topics of empowerment and embracing who we are. Not only is this saddening - it's dangerous. Bleach eats away at your skin. It's only a matter of time before it becomes something cancerous. I wonder how you write that on a funeral program...