In Asia preference toward lighter skin tone existed before race idea introduced. Basically peasants working outside got tanned vs nobles staying indoors, it was class-based discrimination. It’s by no means pretty back then and later meld with western racism and got messier
Colorism predates the modern era in nearly all cultures.
During the Elizabethan era England, women used Venetian Ceruse, a mixture of white lead and vinegar, to paint their faces and necks chalk-white even though it caused hair loss, skin corrosion, and muscle paralysis.
In the early phases of globalization and during the great divergence, white/Western societies began to see themselves as the nobles of the world and their colonies as the inferior laborers. Essentially, it is what you’re describing but on a global scale. This further entrenched colorism globally.
Reversals of this mindset have only happened in the past 75 years.
In Asia preference toward lighter skin tone existed before race idea introduced. Basically peasants working outside got tanned vs nobles staying indoors, it was class-based discrimination. It’s by no means pretty back then and later meld with western racism and got messier
Colorism predates the modern era in nearly all cultures.
During the Elizabethan era England, women used Venetian Ceruse, a mixture of white lead and vinegar, to paint their faces and necks chalk-white even though it caused hair loss, skin corrosion, and muscle paralysis.
In the early phases of globalization and during the great divergence, white/Western societies began to see themselves as the nobles of the world and their colonies as the inferior laborers. Essentially, it is what you’re describing but on a global scale. This further entrenched colorism globally.
Reversals of this mindset have only happened in the past 75 years.