re: #1 Obdicut

Indians definitely do not believe they are all the same ‘race’.

To say nothing of the vile and horrid caste system. And I think this may be where the skin-lightening thing originates from - dark complexions (note how the beautician quoted refers to it as a “deep tan”) are associated with lowly outdoor work, the kind poor people or members of the “untouchable” caste do. Conversely, a light complexion is associated with wealth, power, superiority, etc.

Pakistan doesn’t have India’s caste system, but the automatic association between dark skin and a lower, less worthy class still exists. I suspect this kind of prejudice occurs in East Asia as well (China, Japan, etc - remember the dead-white rice makeup for high-class Geisha girls? Also, cosmetic manufacturers have noticed that paler shades are more popular in China)

So, it may be class prejudice as opposed to racial. Dark skin = poor unworthy peon, pale skin = delicate, precious, wealthy aristocracy 9_9