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The Black Rose
Ever wondered what effect persistent bullying has on a six-year-old? Ask a forty-five-year-old. Ask me.
Ever since the Black Lives Matter movement following the brutal murder of George Floyd in 2020, I have found myself sharing numerous stories about my past with my two children and husband. Having experienced colour prejudice or insensitive remarks about my brown skin tone throughout my life, my past has come back to haunt me . . . uninvited and unwanted. A ‘dark’ past. Or, as Indians would call it, a ‘kala’ past.
Although I have mostly had a wonderful, blessed life, growing up between India and Japan, and now living in the UK, there are elements of my past that are painful, to say the least. Painful because I happened to be dark-skinned, born to fair parents. And this was seen by some Indians as an open invitation for taunting and derogatory comments.
For hundreds of years, Indians have harboured the notion that being fair-skinned is a ticket to superiority. That’s right – white supremacy doesn’t just exist among white people. Sadly, this is still the case even in modern, ‘liberated’ India.
For years I have tried to forget my painful past, like childbirth. But the remarks, even now, are relentless, leaving me festering like a sore. Writing about my past is an attempt to face this colour prejudice head-on. They say writers should write what they know. I am not a writer. My memoir is about who I was and who I have become. As it is a collage of extracts from my memory, digging deep from the tender age of six, the rendition is not as clear-cut as black and white. There are several shades of brown in between, no pun intended! Unravelling my story, I discovered more than I was prepared many buried secrets, some darker than colourism.
Ever since the Black Lives Matter movement following the brutal murder of George Floyd in 2020, I have found myself sharing numerous stories about my past with my two children and husband. Having experienced colour prejudice or insensitive remarks about my brown skin tone throughout my life, my past has come back to haunt me . . . uninvited and unwanted. A ‘dark’ past. Or, as Indians would call it, a ‘kala’ past.
Although I have mostly had a wonderful, blessed life, growing up between India and Japan, and now living in the UK, there are elements of my past that are painful, to say the least. Painful because I happened to be dark-skinned, born to fair parents. And this was seen by some Indians as an open invitation for taunting and derogatory comments.
For hundreds of years, Indians have harboured the notion that being fair-skinned is a ticket to superiority. That’s right – white supremacy doesn’t just exist among white people. Sadly, this is still the case even in modern, ‘liberated’ India.
For years I have tried to forget my painful past, like childbirth. But the remarks, even now, are relentless, leaving me festering like a sore. Writing about my past is an attempt to face this colour prejudice head-on. They say writers should write what they know. I am not a writer. My memoir is about who I was and who I have become. As it is a collage of extracts from my memory, digging deep from the tender age of six, the rendition is not as clear-cut as black and white. There are several shades of brown in between, no pun intended! Unravelling my story, I discovered more than I was prepared many buried secrets, some darker than colourism.
259 pages, Paperback
Published November 27, 2022
9 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
January 28, 2024
An interesting history of colorism in India where to be fair is beautiful. There are so many face creams and bleaching processes which are not good for your skin that are popular. It amazes me and makes me sick that so many countries have these thoughts about dark skin being bad and undesirable and white skim being favorable and desired. White Supremacy is so deep in culture.
February 26, 2023
Full disclosure: I worked as Developmental Editor on this book, so I am biased towards The Black Rose because it is a story that I believe deserves to be told.
Review :
The Black Rose is a raw and touching account of the author’s lived experience with colorism. Born with darker skin to fair-skinned parents, the author is verbally assaulted to the point of mental abuse throughout her life. The narrative starts when she is six years old and takes us till present day. The memoir is set in India, Japan and the UK. Shweta is brutal in her honesty and in the best possible way. She lays bare how even the closest of family members are perpetrators of discrimination and abuse based on skin tone. It goes on to detail how this attitude is entrenched in society at large and educational institutions and more. Shweta talks about these issues unflinchingly and she is not afraid to confess that she does not have all the answers. The main objective of her memoir is to share her lived experience so that she can give a voice to those who have faced these deep-rooted attitudes all their lives.
Who is this book for?
For anyone who is old enough to read it. As an editor, I would recommend it for all readers 12 and above. It is not just for those who can see their story reflected back in her words but for those who can’t, as well.
What else?
As a reader, I’m interested in seeing where Shweta can take the narrative next. Even though The Black Rose gives us a lot of historical context and additional reading references on situations and settings that lead to colorism, it is primarily the memoir of an Indian woman who acknowledges her class and financial privilege even while facing discrimination. What I want to see next is Shweta diving into the issue from the perspective of those who face this without any privilege on their side. Shweta is known for her honest discussions on social media and I have no doubt that she will do great in amplifying the voices of others and use her platform for the greater good. The Black Rose is definitely just her first step on this journey that will help others just as much as it will help her.
Review :
The Black Rose is a raw and touching account of the author’s lived experience with colorism. Born with darker skin to fair-skinned parents, the author is verbally assaulted to the point of mental abuse throughout her life. The narrative starts when she is six years old and takes us till present day. The memoir is set in India, Japan and the UK. Shweta is brutal in her honesty and in the best possible way. She lays bare how even the closest of family members are perpetrators of discrimination and abuse based on skin tone. It goes on to detail how this attitude is entrenched in society at large and educational institutions and more. Shweta talks about these issues unflinchingly and she is not afraid to confess that she does not have all the answers. The main objective of her memoir is to share her lived experience so that she can give a voice to those who have faced these deep-rooted attitudes all their lives.
Who is this book for?
For anyone who is old enough to read it. As an editor, I would recommend it for all readers 12 and above. It is not just for those who can see their story reflected back in her words but for those who can’t, as well.
What else?
As a reader, I’m interested in seeing where Shweta can take the narrative next. Even though The Black Rose gives us a lot of historical context and additional reading references on situations and settings that lead to colorism, it is primarily the memoir of an Indian woman who acknowledges her class and financial privilege even while facing discrimination. What I want to see next is Shweta diving into the issue from the perspective of those who face this without any privilege on their side. Shweta is known for her honest discussions on social media and I have no doubt that she will do great in amplifying the voices of others and use her platform for the greater good. The Black Rose is definitely just her first step on this journey that will help others just as much as it will help her.
March 26, 2023
I saw an interview with the author on YouTube and quite frankly, I felt that the man doing the interview was a bit hard on her (I don't recall the link -- but it was a Black man who was balking at the idea that Shweta considered herself dark enough to bleach her skin). So I wanted to get the book to get her side of the story and learn a bit about colorism in India.
I present as an African-American woman. But my grandmother was ethnically Indian. She was born in Jamaica though so the vestiges of the Indian caste system and colorism didn't fully get transported to the Caribbean. But you do have some of the mentality still of Indo-Caribbean people looking down on Afro-Carribbean people -- even if they are in a disadvantaged economic position. But I digress....
What I didn't expect if for Shweta's story to open up some of my own personal wounds. Shweta was able to back track to early childhood -- when she first began to hear criticism and disappointment in regards to her skin color. I too heard the same thing. My father, being 1/2 Indian and 1/2 African heritage, had a 'look' that was very esteemed in the Black community. Thin build, fine features, medium brown skin, and most importantly, long black hair that was full of large, soft curls. While my mother was African-American, her hair was kinky but still incredibly full. I somehow got the kinkiness...but not the fullness. And my hair just refused to ever grow past my shoulders. I heard constant surprise when people realized who my dad was and then was often posed the ridiculous question "How come you don't have hair like him?"
Shweta's complex with color was amplified because her parents, who she loved dearly, were both fair-skinned. And then other people reinforced this doubt -- constantly reminding and taunting her about her color. I have to admit, I am familiar with skin bleaching because it is a thing in the Caribbean as well and in all honesty, I think it is a crazy thing to do. But then again, is it any worse than relaxing your hair? Countless Black women apply strong chemicals to their hair every 6-8 weeks to 'relax' it and change its texture. I did the same for years, but somehow my practical side won over my vanity when I realized that even with relaxing my hair, my hair didn't gain length and it definitely wasn't healthy. I wasn't really to hold on to damaged, thin hair, just because it was straight.
The author was moved to give up on skin whitening for her children and for the hypocrisy of protesting the killing of Black people when she herself didn't like he own dark skin. I am impressed that she had the bravery to admit this. However I give the book a 4 star review instead of 5 because I feel like she could have fleshed out her current relationship with colorism a bit more. Does she see any change in mindset from her Indian family (perhaps the younger ones)? How has her life improved and what ongoing challenges does she have? I found myself asking these questions at the end.
Definitely recommended. Especially to parents who are raising children who have physical features that do not adhere to society's definition of 'beautiful'.
I present as an African-American woman. But my grandmother was ethnically Indian. She was born in Jamaica though so the vestiges of the Indian caste system and colorism didn't fully get transported to the Caribbean. But you do have some of the mentality still of Indo-Caribbean people looking down on Afro-Carribbean people -- even if they are in a disadvantaged economic position. But I digress....
What I didn't expect if for Shweta's story to open up some of my own personal wounds. Shweta was able to back track to early childhood -- when she first began to hear criticism and disappointment in regards to her skin color. I too heard the same thing. My father, being 1/2 Indian and 1/2 African heritage, had a 'look' that was very esteemed in the Black community. Thin build, fine features, medium brown skin, and most importantly, long black hair that was full of large, soft curls. While my mother was African-American, her hair was kinky but still incredibly full. I somehow got the kinkiness...but not the fullness. And my hair just refused to ever grow past my shoulders. I heard constant surprise when people realized who my dad was and then was often posed the ridiculous question "How come you don't have hair like him?"
Shweta's complex with color was amplified because her parents, who she loved dearly, were both fair-skinned. And then other people reinforced this doubt -- constantly reminding and taunting her about her color. I have to admit, I am familiar with skin bleaching because it is a thing in the Caribbean as well and in all honesty, I think it is a crazy thing to do. But then again, is it any worse than relaxing your hair? Countless Black women apply strong chemicals to their hair every 6-8 weeks to 'relax' it and change its texture. I did the same for years, but somehow my practical side won over my vanity when I realized that even with relaxing my hair, my hair didn't gain length and it definitely wasn't healthy. I wasn't really to hold on to damaged, thin hair, just because it was straight.
The author was moved to give up on skin whitening for her children and for the hypocrisy of protesting the killing of Black people when she herself didn't like he own dark skin. I am impressed that she had the bravery to admit this. However I give the book a 4 star review instead of 5 because I feel like she could have fleshed out her current relationship with colorism a bit more. Does she see any change in mindset from her Indian family (perhaps the younger ones)? How has her life improved and what ongoing challenges does she have? I found myself asking these questions at the end.
Definitely recommended. Especially to parents who are raising children who have physical features that do not adhere to society's definition of 'beautiful'.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 3, 2024
This Black Rose book kept me up ALL night, I was staying up til 1am & on a school night, I literally couldn’t put this book down!
Shweta’s story is an utterly compelling book, it’s a very personal account about the colourism within the South Asian community.
This subject is never really discussed openly within the family but it’s accepted, the colour prejudices from within the families is horrible.
This is such an open & honest true life story, I urge you to order a copy, it will leave you speechless.
Shweta’s account of her life & experiences had me in tears.
And it also made me so angry at the unjustness of her life and the SA communities attitude towards the darker skin toned people regardless of aptitude, intelligence and experiences.
This is such a brave retelling, Shweta’s life story will grip you from the minute you open this book.
Buy your copy today!
Shweta’s story is an utterly compelling book, it’s a very personal account about the colourism within the South Asian community.
This subject is never really discussed openly within the family but it’s accepted, the colour prejudices from within the families is horrible.
This is such an open & honest true life story, I urge you to order a copy, it will leave you speechless.
Shweta’s account of her life & experiences had me in tears.
And it also made me so angry at the unjustness of her life and the SA communities attitude towards the darker skin toned people regardless of aptitude, intelligence and experiences.
This is such a brave retelling, Shweta’s life story will grip you from the minute you open this book.
Buy your copy today!
February 15, 2023
I feel so strongly that this book should be read by all. Shweta has written this book so honestly and eloquently you won't be able to put it down. Shweta's story is heart wrenching and eye opening. We must all learn about and be aware of colourism, discrimination, and implicit bias so that other children and adults do not have to suffer like Shweta has had to her entire life. I'm thankful that she had the courage to write her very personal story and share the intimate details of her struggle. I am deeply touched by her story and by her resilience, grit and perseverance.
April 19, 2023
I loved the way the book was written, Shweta makes it easy to understand heavy topics like colourism through sharing personal stories. You really feel involved in the story, empathising and learning at the same time. It’s an emotional read and I appreciated the honest and thoughtful way it is written.
August 2, 2023
Well written and touched many personal feelings and memories from growing up with darker complexion as an Indian girl. A great read, written with truth and real experiences with colourism within the Indian community author was surrounded by. I recommend it be read by all- wether you’ve experienced colourism or not. Absolutely loved this book!
December 28, 2022
Being born dark skinned in India to one fair skinned and one dark skinned parent, I have faced colourism from a very early stage of my life. I could completely relate to the book. Reading this book assured me that I am not alone and brought up all sorts of emotions and memories in me. It felt like I was reading my own story. The author has done a great job of narrating her feelings, emotions and experiences through the course of her life in a beautiful way. It is an excellent read for anyone. We need to raise our voice against colourism. I am really glad someone decided to write about this and let the world know about colourism. The book was a fast, easy and interesting read for a slow reader like me. For victims like me this book gives hope and I really wish perpetrators read this book too so they can understand how much mental agony and damage their casual colourism comment can cause to a fellow human being. It’s a must read if you don’t know what colourism is or haven’t heard of this word before. It’s time we voiced against colourism and brought it to spotlight. As the book cover says, IT IS silently lived by millions.
December 29, 2024
A raw and personal reflection of the author’s experiences and struggles with colourism. The global beauty industry feeding the bias against darker skin tones is fueled by global anti-blackness. South Asian countries and Asian are not only complicit but actively and loudly promoting their bias. Shweta Aggarwal has surfaced the not so secret truths about colourism in India and the South Asian diaspora.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews