What is wrong with black? Kerala Chief Secy Sarada Muraleedharan flays remark on her dark skin

Chief Secretary Sarada Muraleedharan took to Facebook to share her experience of being subjected to derogatory remarks about her skin tone. Her post was in response to a distasteful comment made about the contrast in complexion between her and husband Venu, former Chief Secretary.

She had shared a brief note on the issue on Tuesday, but deleted it within hours after feeling uneasy about the responses it received. However, later that night, she posted a detailed account, prompted by well-wishers who urged her to address the matter openly.

In her initial post, she mentioned overhearing a comment that pointed out her darker complexion in contrast to her husband’s fair skin. The reactions to this post made her uncomfortable, leading her to delete it. But after some introspection and encouragement, she felt it was necessary to speak up.

Sarada Muraleedharan revealed that the remark suggested her tenure as Chief Secretary was "black”, while her husband's was "white”. She questioned the deep-seated prejudice against dark skin, asserting that black is just as beautiful as any other colour.

Excerpts from her Facebook post:
"I was hurt, yes. But then these last seven months have been a relentless parade of comparisons with my predecessor, and I have become quite inured. It was about being labelled black (with that quiet sub text of being woman), as if that were something to be desperately ashamed of. Black is as black does. Not just black the colour, but black the ne’er do good, black the malaise, the cold despotism, the heart of darkness.

But why should black be vilified? Black is the all pervasive truth of the universe. Black is that which can absorb anything, the most powerful pulse of energy known to humankind. It is the colour that works on everyone, the dress code for office, the lustre of evening wear, the essence of kajol, the promise of rain.

As a four-year-old I apparently asked my mother whether she could put me back in her womb and bring me out again, all white and pretty. I have lived for over 50 years buried under that narrative of not being a colour that was good enough. And buying into that narrative. Of not seeing beauty or value in black. Of being fascinated by fair skin. And fair minds, and all that was fair and good and wholesome. And of feeling that I was a lesser person for not being that - which had to be compensated somehow.

Till my children. Who gloried in their black heritage. Who kept finding beauty where I noticed none. Who thought that black was awesome. Who helped me see.

That black is beautiful.

That black is gorgeousness..."