ColorsofBrown.org, published in 2008, is a media criticism and literacy project that brings together viewpoints of professionals ranging from art historians to visual and performing artists to people on the street. Through a series of interviews, the project tries to create a discourse around the varied shades of Indian skin and confront people’s obsession with “fairness.” It also aims to understand where this preference comes from: inside or outside us?

Colorsofbrown.org highlights the negative associations with dark skin and associated practices in popular culture and mass media, such as films, advertising, and television. The stereotypes are based on and reinforce biases stemming from deep-rooted historical beliefs including notions of class and caste.

This 15-page website also calls attention to the skin-lightening-product industry, now a billion-dollar industry in India. It encourages readers to critically engage and even dispose the filmic ideals that have been circulated in our society. Most importantly it strives to create an impact, so that the next time you find yourself judging a person’s ability based on skin color, or reaching for a fairness cream, you at least think twice.

Original Interviews and Research

Prominent people were interviewed, including Dr. Parul Dave-Mukherji, professor and dean of The School of Arts and Aesthetics at Jawaharlal Nehru University, Delhi. These conversations revealed historical aspects of color that can be traced back to the Shilpa-shastras (written between 4 BCE and 4 CE) and its association with socioeconomic and caste practices in society at the time, and its continuing impact until today. Indian arthouse actress and film director Nandita Das also spoke openly about her the impact of colorism on young girls, sharing her stance on the subject.

Project Strengths

Colors of Brown was published at the end of 2008, making it the first and only space to openly discuss this subject at the time. Jyoti interviewed a handful of boldface industry professionals, produced and edited eight short videos, designed the website, and wrote the content. Shweta, Taishi, Eric, all students at The New School, where she began and completed this project, helped her at various stages from start to finish. Family members Nidhi, Rakhi, and friends of friends Anshuman, Sharib, and Chintan also helped out by sharing their time, knowledge, and resources.

Videos for the website can be found here and the website, although dated in its design, is still relevant.