Racism, disguised as beauty, is discussed throughout the book. The definition of beauty is quite simple, "clean" is beautiful. Thus, white people are naturally prettier because they are "cleaner." (Does that mean pale people are prettiest?) How ironic since people in today's society are constantly trying to get tanned to be more attractive! Nevertheless, that was the general census of that time period, and many people, including black people, believed it.
pale=beauty?
At first, I was shocked at how black people were racist to themselves. Black people picked on another black person for being dirty and "black." How black people treat Pecola is a prime example of this case. Pecola suffers from "the stigmas of ugliness and femininity, and the tribal stigma of being an African American (Bump 335). In one instance, group of kids picked on her for "the color of her skin and speculations on the sleeping habits of an adult" (Morrison 65). Ironic thing was that "they themselves were black" (Morrison 65).
Being light skinned better than dark?
I think advertisements and commercials still advocate light skin over dark
Then there was Maureen Peal. She was a "high-yellow dream child with long brown hair braided into two lynch ropes that hung down her back" (Morrison 62). Kids and teachers adored her because she was light, rich, and cute. When Maureen and the three girls (Claudia, Frieda, and Pecola) get in a fight, Maureen says, "I am cute! And you ugly! Black and ugly black e mos. I am cute!" (Morrison 73). Claudia takes this statement seriously because other adults seem to agree with Maureen.
I'd imagine Maureen's complexion was somewhat like this girl's
Geraldine is one of those adults. She wants her child, Junior, to play primarily with white people and Colored people. She made sure to explain the difference between colored people and niggers: "Colored people were neat and quiet; niggers were dirty and loud" (Morrison 87). She is extremely racist against her own race.
As I took all of this in, I initially thought people were really messed up back then. My natural response was that people are different today. But is that really true? As a Korean, I can honestly admit that I believe Koreans are quite possibly the most racist people on earth. And this book reminded me about the racism in Korea. Koreans are racist to just about every race; We look down on others and coin derogatory term for all race: dirty Chinese, cheating Japs, etc. However, when I say all, I mean ALL, even including Koreans. Yes, we are racist towards even ourselves. You must look like one of the celebrities on TV, if not you are sub par in terms of beauty. This is why Koreans are crazed about getting plastic surgery, to look ideal. If you are too dark, you are a country hick; Koreans are so similar to the people depicted in The Bluest Eye.
Korean media sell these images of doll-like girls
However, Koreans are not alone in this self-racism. As far as I know, Indians too take part in this. From what I have heard, they look down on the darker Indians. This has something to do with the caste system because the people in the highest caste are supposed to be light, hence superior. (Don't quote me on any of this because I'm not quite sure) Anyway, I just know that racism in the form of racism toward others or self exist even today.
