If Rihanna was white...

To those who may deem this article offensive my apologies. I wanted to explore the height and extent of racial inequality and prejudice that is indeed predominant online and also in social media. Rihanna has recently been the victim of Internet trolling whereby provocative internet trolls have been 'photoshopping' pictures of the star openly stating 'Rihanna would look so much prettier if she were White'. Rihanna is from Barbados, she is not deemed to be white nor is the ethnicity what the singer identifies herself as.

Sadly, Hollywood has been prone to portray physical attractiveness with features that are considered to be 'black features'. Photographs are photoshopped to make ethnic individuals appear 'whiter', skin is lightened, their noses appearing more 'european'. This not only suggests heightened prejudice but also discrimination. By contrast, it is arguable that African American celebrities or celebrities who do have darker skin complexions are actually adhering to the fact the opinion that lighter skin is more attractive. It has now become a trend, something that is vastly practiced in places such as India and Jamaica where shade is not only appeared to be linked to status but also physical attractiveness culturally speaking.

We have seen that celebrities will be subject to criticism and scrutiny based on their appearance alone or even how they dress. So where does the need to stigmatise others come from based on skin colour. Is it to do with up-bringing, or the concept that perhaps your own skin may be lighter than someone else's? In some cases this could indeed fuel a sense of empowerment, sadly, some individuals do hold the believe that their skin colour alone is enough to make them superior to others and so further prejudice arises. Others however may hold the view that attractiveness has nothing to do with colour, complection or ethnicity.

It is believed to be according to preference and also subjective to that own persons concept of what 'beauty' is. We live in a climate where 'looks' are supposed to matter because it is the first thing we see and usually what we are judged for at face value. Nevertheless, how far can we really go to say what is genuinely attractive. Are we right or wrong.