Let’s build a Pakistan where all can flourish and all are respected
ISLAMABAD: As an organisation working with the most marginalised people, I thank The Express Tribune for its firm stand against the use of racist imagery in marketing schemes in its recent Life and Style feature story, “Being racially offensive in a kingdom obsessed with skin colour” on September 23.
Racism blights the lives of people across the world. In South Asia, the message that lighter skin is superior marginalises communities from oppressed castes to African-origin Sheedis and other minorities, and pushes people to lose money and self-respect on skin-whitening creams. We need to build an economy and society where all are included and valued. It is disappointing that a reputable corporation would indulge in a sick marketing scheme about a dark-coloured man in a bath of chocolate. It shows that we cannot rely on corporations to self-regulate and that public pressure and government regulation are essential to make corporations responsible and accountable.
We are grateful to this newspaper for being unique by representing the true feelings of a marginalised community. Let’s build a Pakistan where all can flourish and all are respected. Thank you, again, the newspaper and its editorial team for leading the charge.
Iftikhar A Nizami
Published in The Express Tribune, September 29th, 2016.
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