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Zara Noor Abbas thinks endorsing a fairness brand doesn't promote racism

Zara Noor Abbas thinks endorsing a fairness brand doesn't promote racism

"A facewash is killing no one," she said to a troll. True but it is reinforcing that "fair" skin is somehow superior. So...
02 Jun, 2020

As protests broke out in the U.S., where thousands took to the streets to condemn killings of black people at the hands of police and to demand reform, celebrities all over the world starting raising their voice in support of the #BlackLivesMatter movement.

Recently, Zara Noor Abbas came under fire on Instagram where she had posted a video of a little African-American girl who was talking about the discrimination her community has had to face, on the basis of her skin colour.

When someone called her out for protesting racism globally on the one hand and endorsing a face whitening wash locally on the other, the actor was quick to defend herself.

"Good, because that does not promote killing. Does not promote racism. Stop making this out of context when its not the agenda. Your word doesn't matter here. What matters is human life and equality and this is what I am here for. A face wash is killing no one," justified Zara.

What Zara fails to understand is that by promoting skin whitening products, she is feeding into the negative stereotypes about dark skin and reinforcing dated beauty standards like fair skin is superior and aspirational. These ads are marketed with big money through mass media and shape and influence culture more than we'd like to admit. Are we really going to pretend colourism isn't a big issue in our society?

Your activism feels disingenuous when you refuse to have a civil discussion about how you might be wrong; it's 2020, and we can only hope public figures realise the damaging ramifications of their choices, hold themselves accountable and strive to do better.

You can watch the advertisement here.

Comments

Zillay Husnain Jun 02, 2020 11:45am
money talks
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Bilal Jun 02, 2020 11:46am
Since she is white, I am bound to agree with her.
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AR Malik Jun 02, 2020 11:52am
Agree with writer views
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Brownflower Jun 02, 2020 12:03pm
Whitening creams sell because the entire world has been brainwashed over centuries that the "white people" are superior to people of colour. It will go away once the west becomes multi-racial or a mixed-race society. Until then, live with it.
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M. Kamran Jun 02, 2020 01:03pm
Its time we need to educate people.
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Keyser Jun 02, 2020 01:45pm
People need to take it easy on the cancel culture. 'fairness' might have a different implication in countries where 90 percent of the population is Caucasian, but in our society where dyeing or streaking your hair is considered high society, yes whitening creams do a roaring business.
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paru Jun 02, 2020 02:04pm
Ordinarily it would be a problem. But I watched the ad, and in her defence, it actually does not say "gorapan". It says "nikhar". It talks about removing dead cells. Which means whatever your colour, your skin will look brighter and cleaner. Even black skin can look bright. It seemed to be a more organic approach. Only problem was the name of the cream white beauty.
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Kai Jun 02, 2020 02:09pm
And I thought she is intelligent girl....
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Amna Jun 02, 2020 02:48pm
Zara's reply is not justified. This has to be understood by other showbiz celebrities also. Agree with the writer
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Chrís Dăn Jun 02, 2020 03:34pm
Sorry Lady, it is clear cut a racism.
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Riaz Jun 02, 2020 04:30pm
Absolutely disgusting. You promote racism for sure! So vain people be proud of who you are!
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Ksyed Jun 02, 2020 04:58pm
@paru its not ad but her msg on social media.
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tariq Jun 02, 2020 05:30pm
That's what a racist would say
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Rahat Jun 02, 2020 08:31pm
Her defense shows she has no understanding of Racism.
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N abidai Jun 03, 2020 12:10am
Fairness cream does promote racisims ! Only,artist should Google racisims and fair skin !
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Nazir Gilani Jun 03, 2020 01:34am
@AR Malik ... but she doesn't need fairness creams.
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Ibrahim S Jun 03, 2020 08:39am
Very myopic mind set of Ms. Noor .
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AJ Jun 03, 2020 01:58pm
Facewash is different from fairness product but I think Zara promotes a fairness product which is definitely problematic. I guess it's only wrong is someone else does it.
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