Bleach White and Pitch Black: The Worst Skin Tones

Opposite skin tones perceived similarly. 

(https://popista.com/mugshots)(https://www.pinterest.com/pin/267682771576824845/)

Visual appearance of skin tone and healthiness provides an initial perception a person’s well-being, wealth and success. Individuals with the skin condition vitiligo (click to view my vitiligo blog!) are victim to some of the same judgemental behaviour that people with dark skin experienced in the United States during the early and mid 1900’s. Many blacks detested their skin color because of the inherent stereotypes and discrimination associated with being dark in the 1900's. Vitiligo, view more information here, is an auto-immune disease that causes the depigmentation of skin and hair cells; the condition affects less than one percent of the world’s population. People with vitiligo loathe their patchy, bleached skin because of the psychological trauma caused by the constant, fearful stares from strangers. Those that suffer from vitiligo try to hide the glaring effects of the condition with various methods of treatment or make-up; almost everybody with vitiligo attempts to pass as someone without the condition. Similarly, in the novel Passing by Nella Larsen, Clare Kendry and Irene Redfield both pass as white despite their black heritage. Passing is the act of trying to identify as someone or something that you inherently are not. People with vitiligo are similar to people with dark skin tones during the 1900’s because both groups attempt to pass as other identities to avoid discrimination, enter a higher tier of society, and are unable to completely rid themselves of their previous identity.

http://www.relatably.com/m/black-memes-racist

Both black Americans during the 1900’s and those who suffer from vitiligo are discriminated against because of their skin color. Black Americans are subjected to racism because of their skin color, while those with vitiligo are treated as an unrecognized, contagious species because of their inconsistent skin color. Clare is not treated well by her white aunts because of her “tar-brush” (Larsen 41) skin; she is treated as a servant and is prohibited from speaking about her African-American heritage. Clare escapes discrimination by marrying a successful, white businessman named Jack Bellew. She convinces Jack that she is white; Clare continues to separate herself from her black heritage by passing as white to everyone she meets. Irene’s desire to pass as white is demonstrated when Larsen writes, “Later, when she examined her feeling of annoyance, Irene admitted, a shade reluctantly, that it arose from a feeling of being outnumbered, a sense of aloneness, in her adherence to her own class and kind... in the whole pattern of her life” (Larsen 56). Irene’s isolation and exclusion is derived from the color of her skin color. Similarly, people with visible vitiligo try to pass as someone without vitiligo to avoid judgement and exclusion from others. At times, the constant glares and avoidance is similar to exclusion from racism. The lack of knowledge about vitiligo creates the stigma that vitiligo is contagious, or that people with vitiligo are disabled citizens who are unable to function in common society. Those that suffer from vitiligo and blacks during the 1900’s face similar challenges in succeeding within society because of the inherent fear and reluctance associated with their skin color.

Michael Jackson
http://www.eurweb.com/2015/08/10

Lee Thomas
https://quicklymovingon.wordpress.com

The barriers presented for those who suffer from vitiligo and blacks from entering society predisposes these groups to lower socioeconomic class statuses. During the 1900’s, blacks were commonly viewed as lesser, incapable citizens who were not capable of fulfilling high paying jobs. Clare was raised in a working class household with her alcoholic father who worked as a janitor; there was limited money for anything other than basic necessities. Larsen narrates, “It was unsafe to take a portion of the dollar that was her weekly wage… in spite of certain unpleasantness and possible danger, she had taken the money to buy the material for that pathetic little red frock” (Larsen 4). Clare demonstrates her desire to escape her low class status by knowingly purchasing fabric to make a new dress, despite the irate disapproval of her father. Clare enters the upper echelon of society by passing as white to marry Jack. Similarly, people with vitiligo are often viewed as having a disease, illness, or disability that would render them incapable of securing a job. Dr. Judith Porter from Yale University comments, “Vitiligo may be as severe a social and economic handicap as a physical defect because of the profound social significance of appearance” (chicagotribune.com). In working conditions, people who suffer from vitiligo find it advantageous to pass as someone without skin conditions; Lee Thomas, a television news reporter, covered his vitiligo patches with extensive makeup so his viewers would concentrate on the news story, rather than his white patches. Michael Jackson used gloves, large hats, dark sunglasses, and flamboyant props to divert attention away from his vitiligo. Most blacks and people with vitiligo are forced to pass as different identities to enter a higher social class; however, members of neither group are capable of completely ridding themselves of their previous identity.

Although Clare and some people with vitiligo are easily capable of passing without their inherent skin detriments, they are incapable of clearing their conscience of their previous identity. Clare easily passes as white, even fooling her racist husband. Despite Clare’s “dark, almost black eyes and that wide mouth like a scarlet flower” (Larsen 15) she is still afraid of being revealed as black when she is compared to white women at a party at the Drayton hotel in New York City. Despite the ease in which Clare passes as white, she is unable to completely relinquish herself from her black heritage; perhaps Clare feels guilt and compassion for blacks that can not pass as white. Clare is interested in Irene’s experiences and connection to the black community. Clare demonstrates her conflicting identities as black and white when she states, “She was caught between two allegiances, different, yet the same. Herself. Her race.” (Larsen 179). Similarly, some people with vitiligo are easily able to pass off their skin condition as a bad sunburn or insignificant skin blemish; however, vitiligo becomes more noticeable when vitiligo patches are being compared to people with consistent skin pigment.  Although some people are capable of passing as vitiligo free, most people who suffer from vitiligo still maintain a connection to the vitiligo community in hope of a cure being discovered or to share vitiligo experiences. The unpredictability of vitiligo looms in the back of one’s mind that they will never be completely free from vitiligo, just as blacks can never rid themselves of being black.

Blacks from the 1900's and those that suffer from vitiligo can only control their own behaviour; this makes it easier to pass as an alternate identity rather than trying to correct the inherent beliefs of society. The need to pass as someone with different skin derives from the innate refusal to accept people that are visibly different. America has attempted to eliminate judgmental attitudes and racism from their society for over one hundred years; however, limited progress has been accomplished (watch this video for modern day racism). It is unlikely that societal attitudes will change to accept those with vitiligo or black skin. Watch this video documenting one person's experience with the condition. Compare the two videos to see the similarities between the perception of people with vitiligo and blacks.

Stay beautiful. 

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