Beyond Skin Deep: Unlearning Colour Bias

 

By Manoj R. Kodachwad

 

(Image generated through AI for representation only)

It wasn’t a regular class. I was in 8th grade, and school had just begun. But instead of our teacher holding the book, it was our principal standing in front of us, taking a special class - a lesson that, even then, I didn’t realise would change the way I think and see the world. 

He asked a simple question: “Where does beauty lie?”

What followed was almost funny. Answers came from every corner of the classroom, and many still make me smile today. But none of them were quite right.

At the end, he said something that made the room fall silent: “Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder.”

We were stunned. How can beauty lie in someone’s eyes? Everyone looked around, confused. And then he explained - each of us finds different things beautiful. What I may see as beautiful might not seem beautiful to someone else. That is why beauty truly lies in the eyes of the beholder.

As I grew older, I started noticing how often people’s ideas of beauty were limited by skin colour. Compliments often praised fair skin. Advice quietly pushed darker skin to “lighten up.” Even family conversations sometimes reflected the same bias.

Sometimes, parents proudly point out how fair their baby is, as if that alone is an achievement. But praising skin colour over character, curiosity, or kindness is shallow. A child’s worth is shaped by their heart, values, and the way they grow - not by the shade of their skin.

It is also important to understand that skin colour itself is not something that carries meaning of superiority or inferiority. From a biological point of view, human skin tones evolved over thousands of years mainly due to environmental factors such as sunlight and climate conditions. People living closer to the equator developed darker skin to protect against stronger ultraviolet radiation, while those in regions with less sunlight developed lighter skin to absorb more vitamin D. In simple terms, skin colour is an adaptation to nature, not a measure of human worth.

I realise now that even my own mind was quietly influenced by this bias shaped over time by movies, TV commercials, and the constant messages we grow up seeing. But over time, I have unlearnt it, and I strive to see beauty beyond skin colour.

Even today, many dark-skinned individuals with kind hearts, strong character, and remarkable achievements face struggles in marriage alliances. They are judged not for their personality, intelligence, or values, but for their complexion. Families may feel pressured to choose a “fair” candidate, overlooking qualities far more important than appearance. It is a stark reminder of how deeply colour based bias can influence even the most personal and meaningful decisions in life.

Many of my friends with darker skin have shared experiences of discrimination or subtle discouragement. Often, it’s small remarks, comparisons, or “suggestions” but these leave a lasting impact. When someone begins to feel “less” only because of their skin colour, it becomes a weight they carry every day.

If skin colour truly determined intelligence, success, or greatness, history would look very different. India’s most respected minds came from diverse and darker complexions. A. P. J. Abdul Kalam is remembered not for his looks, but for his vision, simplicity, and contributions to science and the nation. B. R. Ambedkar changed the foundation of our Constitution through intellect and determination. M. S. Swaminathan transformed Indian agriculture and saved millions from hunger. Leaders like them prove that greatness has never been about complexion, but about knowledge, effort, and purpose.

And yet, that classroom lesson comes back to me every time I see it - beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder. Perhaps he wasn’t just talking about preference. Perhaps he was pointing to responsibility. If beauty truly lies in the eyes of the beholder, then we have the power to decide what we see as beautiful. Standards are learnt, and anything learnt can also be unlearnt.

And always remember: goodness or badness in a person has nothing to do with their skin colour. It comes from their heart, their actions, and the way they treat others.

I know this one blog may not change the way people think overnight. But, if it can plant even a small seed of reflection in someone’s mind, then it has done its job.

If you have experienced colour-based bias or discrimination, I would love for you to share your story in the comments below. And if you prefer to share it privately, feel free to DM me - I want to hear your experience.

 Until next time. Ciao..