Free Theorist Essay Essay Example

The discrimination based on the skin color has been a problem in the US history. This problem has now affected the rest of the world where the whites are more preferred when it comes to job opportunities regardless of the qualifications and abilities of the individuals. The Asians and Africans have been disadvantaged because of this discrimination. African Americans also continue to suffer up to date. DuBois argued that the situation would be changed by individuals who would be prepared economically, and with the proper education. However, it appears that educated individuals are not taking up the duty of fighting this discrimination. This paper evaluates the issue of skin lightening and bleaching in order to gain favors from the world, taking a closer look of the life of Michael Jackson.
Many people have made the decision of bleaching their skin in order to gain favor in the way they are treated. Michael Jackson became more famous after bleaching because he was more appreciated in the western world. Michael Jackson had the economic ability of helping the society to change and prove that the African Americans with light skin are also talented. However, this example shows that people treat whiteness as an asset (Gabriel, 2007). This is regardless of the negative effects of the bleaching process.
Michael Jackson ha experienced rejection by the society and his parents also, and this is why this identity made him make strange decisions. Initially, he was a handsome boy but things changed during his adolescent when a skin disease appeared and he developed pimples in his face such that people could not believe that he was the handsome boy he was in the at the tender age. This disturbed him psychologically to a great extent. It shows that the society does not accept the identity of an individual and this makes them make decisions that affect their lives.
In US, racial discrimination is common and Michael faced this challenge to the extent of affecting his career. Though the skin disease was affecting the way people viewed him, there were other rumors that portrayed him as a criminal. He was blamed for molesting boys and in the later ages, he has marriage issues that led to his divorce. Courts are biased such that they favor the whites and this was witnessed in Michael cases in the court. These criminal charges were affecting Michael career to a great extent and his race was a major reason why the problems were arising.
The current generation has gone against the teachings of DuBois that the learned and the economically able would ensure that the rest of the colored races get freedom and justice in the society. Michael Jackson should have pursued his career without getting worried of his skin color. When individuals bleach, the white race feels that they are more superior. The worst thing is that the people who engage in bleaching are economically able and the learned in the society. This leaves the society with no people to fight for the freedom and rights of the coloreds.
The problem of bleaching and skin lightening in the society has created more problems in the society. In the African American societies, those with lighter skin are treated with more respect as compared to the blacks.Accoridng to DuBois, there is a problem in the 21st century relating to the way the light skinned and black people relate to each other.Thelight color is something that is more valued in the society. The members of the society have accepted that lighter skin is more appreciated as compared to the other colors. This lack of unity has made it difficult for the coloreds to fight for their freedom and rights (In Gallagher, 2014). The fact that those with light skin are more appreciated in the society and are not mistreated like blacks means that more people are motivated to engage in skin bleaching.
DuBois argued that the problem that makes people not fight for their rights is that there is lack of self-consciousness because people wait for the society to define who they are. An example is Michael Jackson who was Negro and felt that for him to progress in his career; he had to bleach his skin so that he would be recognized in the American society. It is true that after he engaged in bleaching, his media coverage increased and he became a celebrity. If the coloreds realized that they are okay the way they are and are talented regardless of their color, then they would have the confidence to fight for their rights and those of the society (Rothenberg, 2008). Michael Jackson could not have bleached his skin which led to problems in his life. However, the absence of self-consciousness has caused distance between members of the society as some have engaged in skin lightening to distance themselves from their race and gain favors associated with light skin. The African Americans were not happy with what Michael Jackson did.
In conclusion, the issue of bleaching in the society has adverse consequences that can be avoided if people gained self-consciousness and respected whom they are. People need the confidence to fight for their rights and not change their skin color just to gain favors.

References

Gabriel, D. (2007). Layers of blackness: Colourism in the African diaspora. London: Imani Media Ltd.
In Gallagher, C. A., & In Lippard, C. D. (2014).Race and racism in the United States: An encyclopedia of the American mosaic. Santa Barbara, California : Greenwood.
Rothenberg, P. S. (2008). White privilege: Essential readings on the other side of racism. New York: Worth Publishers.