Page 17 - Here and Now – Apr 2024

Consumer capitalism creates a new line of "epidermal psychotherapists" where darkness is
constructed as a broken undesirable condition that needs repair. Language is constructed as a
means of discrimination and control. Often words reinforce the polarities of the prevalent
mindset, carrying out hegemonic and ideological manipulations. Examples being fair, unfair,

blacklist, blackhearted, blackmail etc. Thus, the 'humans’, (privileged powerful) corner power
(hegemony), resources, and decision-making processes, and offering advantageous
employment, education opportunities, development avenues, marriage, and other
relationships to some.

The process of freedom

Pigmentocracy is a construct of collective mind that perpetuates
harm to ourselves and society by promoting social and economic

dominance. It is a game where some are considered inferior and
others superior, making it difficult for both oppressors and
oppressed to engage in healthy relationships, family,
organization, society, and country.

Is there a way out? We believe unlearning and deconstruction are possible
ways to raise awareness about it, interrupt the process, and challenge pigmentocracy.

Pigmentocracy, the belief and practice dehumanize both the oppressor and the oppressed
(Freire, 1970). Healthy relationships, healthy family, organisation, society, and country are not

possible with dehumanised members, communities, and citizens. Both the oppressors and the
oppressed have to engage in the process of humanization desalination and claim their sense of
agency.
Awareness of one's socio-cultural, economic, political, and religious context, and one’s colour,
gender, varna-caste, and sexuality play a crucial role in shaping one's reality. Engaging in
conscientization, which involves becoming critically conscious of our agency to choose and
create our reality, maybe a counter to the oppressive reality fostered by pigmentocracy.

References

1) Daniel, H. (2006). Poverty and Colourism in India. https://borgenproject.org/colorism-in-india/.

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