Racism in America
My family came from Jamaica where racism was not really a thing. They came to America for what most immigrants come to America for the “American Dream”. In Jamaica there is just an ideal version of America painted in many thoughts; the harder you work the better your life will be in America. They never take in account of Americas social issues, finial issues, educational issues, etc.
My mother always point to the fact that she did not know of Americas racial issues before coming here. The racial issues of the US were not broadcasted as much as today so many smaller countries were not fully aware. I remember when the Trayvon Martin tradgity happened she still did not fully understand the reasoning and the history behind it. She knew of slvary in the south but still could not comprehend.
Colorism in Jamaica
She couldn’t wrap her mind around why was there still so much hate just because only a portion of the country was enslaved. She constantly brings up the point that the entire country of Jamaica was enslaved and there is not as much tension between black and white people there. Even through Jamaica is not racists the country is colorist. There is a idealization of light skin.
Several men, women, young boy and girls use skin bleaching to lighten their skin tone. The skin bleaching industry gains a lot of profit in Jamaica. There are several soaps, cream, and lotions that specialized in striping the skin of melanin. The process is in very harmful to the skin. Some people are even left with permanent chemical burns and scars. While other who bleached to their desired tone are now left to dress in long sleeved shirts and pants most often because there is not enough melanin to protect them from the sun. Even though they reached their dissed tone they are at higher risk of skin cancer.
Jamaican Food & Culture 