The Prejudice of Beauty in Society - Research Paper Example

The Prejudice of Beauty in the Society Racism and prejudice are included in the issues in the society through the ages. Ever since the period of slavery, people had been judged, based on skin color. Even the concept of beauty is based on the color of skin, specifically in women. The paper is aimed to explore the issues emanating from the color of the skin such as concept of beauty, racial discrimination and even acceptance of one’s own culture. These concepts were included in the main themes of the book “The Bluest Eye” by Toni Morrison which had created a great impact due to the use of rape and incest to teach lessons on the issues related to skin color. The characters associate beauty with whiteness, innocence, cleanliness, and purity. The Norms of Beauty in the Society The first point in the view of the society regarding the skin color which is exhibited by beauty magazines and other forms of media, and what can be seen from celebrities. Through the years, it had been expected that the racism had improved or changed but based on different studies and observations, the state of stratification of the people in the society based on color became worse because in the present era, prejudice and racism is common and even accepted to the point that people are already numb or very used to the effects. Although the preference of white colored skin over dark colored skin of the society had been rooted to the years when dark skinned people were slaves, but even in the present era white skin color is the gauge of beauty and economic status (AfricaResource Website). During the age of slavery, the dark-colored people were brain-washed that their skin color is a sign of being less of a person and that the richer and more influential classes are of white and fair color. Researches have shown that acceptance of one self and self esteem can make a significant difference in the building of relationship. For dark colored adolescents though acceptance of their skin color is a major challenge specifically since dark color of skin can hinder the building of relationship, both friendships and dating relationships (Robinson and Ward 256). In the book “The Bluest Eye” the different characters experienced the social pressure regarding appearance and skin color. It had been quoted that “Adults, older girls, shops, magazines, newspapers, window sign - all the world had agreed that a blue-eyed, yellow-haired, pink-skinned doll was what every girl child treasured (Morrison 20-21). All of these were considered better than dark colored. Included in the characters who wanted to have light colored skin and blue eyes, like Shirley Temple a celebrity in the 1940s, were Pecola and her mother Pauline. Pauline and Cholly, Pecola’s father, exhibited hatred in having dark colored skin (Bloom 54). Pecola had the worse experiences related to her skin color. She had been ignored by her mother Pauline and had been raped by her father Cholly due to their hatred and failure to accept their skin color. The View of Pecola Pecola is a victim of racism and prejudice because of her skin color which is translated as ugliness. She is continuously being told that she is ugly, thus, resulting to her burning desire to have white skin and blue eyes. Pecola was blinded by her desire to escape from her pain and suffering. She thought that being beautiful will change the views of the people around her. Being beautiful which for her specifically meant having white skin and blue eyes. She thought that by being pretty, her parents would not fight, her family would be intact, her father would not be drinking and her brother would not run away. She thought that by looking at her, people would not do bad things and that her blue eyes would change the world (Morrison 46). Pecola’s perspective is not only to change the view of people regarding her appearance but also to resolve the different issues she is facing in her life. Analysis of the Themes of the References Based on the different references that had been explored in the paper, the different issues including racism, self hate and self acceptance can be significantly affected by skin color. In the social perspective, regardless of the time and era, white skin color is the standard of beauty. Pecola’s life mirrors the difficulties being experienced by dark colored people in the society. In the study by Hunter, the main focus was the cost of color, what people pay for being black and brown. Pecola paid an expensive price, not only her social status but also the relationship with her family and even her sexual rights had been disrespected. Pecola symbolizes the extent to which society can harm the existence of dark colored people. Social norms dictate that dark colored skin be equated to lack of social and economic influence (Hunter 63). An interesting view that can explain the continued existence of racism in the society had been described in the skin color paradox. Based on the study, dark colored people are commonly more concerned about the stratification of the society based on skin color since they are negatively affected. For that matter, even if the point when racism is not a real issue in the society, they tend to be defensive about the view of the society (Hochschild and Weaver 643). This is why self-acceptance and self-esteem are also important in the issue of skin color. In the book for example, Claudia completely accepts herself, thus, she cannot understand why people view white people as the epitome of beauty. Conclusion The book “The Bluest Eye” by Morrison depicts the problematic effects of the prejudice and preconceived notions of the public regarding stratification of the society based on skin color. White colored skin and blue eyes symbolizes the ultimate goals of the people to succeed. These are representations of fame, fortune and influence. Literally though, having light colored skin and blue eyes are aesthetically influential specially in a world where the view that while people rule over black people is still deeply rooted in the people’s mind. Works Cited: AfricaResource Website. 29 April 2007. “Ideals” of Beauty. 4 July 2011 Bloom, Harold. The Bluest Eye. Infobase Publishing, 2009. Hochschild, Jennifer L. and Vesla Weaver. “The Skin Color Paradox and the American Racial Order.” Social Forces 86.2 (2007): 643 – 670. Hunter, Margaret. “The Cost of Color: What We Pay for Being Black and Brown.” Humanities, Social Sciences and Law: Racism in the 21st Century Part II (2008): 63-76. Morrison, Toni. The Bluest Eyes. Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1970. Robinson, Tracy L. and Janie V. Ward. “African American Adolescents and Skin Color.” Journal of Black Psychology 21.3 (1995): 256-274. Read More