This Pepsi advertisement with Beyonce has sparked up some conversation among some of my black friends here in Thailand and apparently other people have criticized it as well as mentioned in an article from Bangkok Post (where I got the photo from). The advertisement of the “whitened” Beyonce are all over Bangkok Sky Train stations.
I believe it’s an issue here because having “pink white skin” (one of my Thai friends told me this term) is generally the preferred skin to have in Thailand. It’s rooted on the basis that darker skinned Thais work outside where as white skinned Thais work or don’t work inside. This is still such an important part of their society that you will see people working outside on a 95 degree day with a turtle neck, hat, and face mask; this is not as much to protect themselves from sun damage but more so to not become “dam” or dark. I have heard co-workers mention being upset about getting a tan on the beach and happy about it clearing up. Where as in the US people show off their tans as a badge of hey I just went on vacation.
So as a person of African decent here in Thailand you are constantly bombarded with “whitening” advertisements: spas for skin whitening, lotion with whitening, deodorant with whitening, face wash with whitening, nipple whitening cream, even anal whitening cream. So, as you can imagine some Black women (including me) in Thailand can be particularly aware of these things when you have to search for lotion without whitening products in it, because hey there is nothing wrong with my brown skin.
So my question are, is this advertisement in the USA and has it sparked the same conversation? What’s your opinion?
Side note.. Tanned and brown skin Thai people you are beautiful.
Getting to Know the World 
Haven’t seen the ad here in the US but I can tell you that recently Beyonce got into a legal issue with an advertiser ( Loreal I think) over a hair dye add where they lightened her up to look more white. I would doubt that she would approve of that being advertised here in the US and for that matter anywhere.
Jessica Simpson touched upon the issue of skin whitening in Thailand and other countries when she had a show. Maybe you can find it on YouTube. Hope all is well take care and continue enjoying your amazing adventures!
~Cathy
Thanks Cathy!
These ads are not here in the US. To be fair, the “colorism” here in national advertisements is usually less obvious, but still very present. So, we do still have these conversations.
My opinion? To quote a wise woman, “Tanned and brown skin Thai people you are beautiful.” ❤
There will always be an issue with skin color within our people. Its a shame, but all i can say is BE VERY PROUD ABOUT YOUR SKIN COLOR. I guess it easier said than done. IT IS WHAT IT IS!!!!
Kathreen Brice
Hello Erica, just want to say hello to you and Matthew. Stay safe, happy and most of all blessed. Djacksonnewbold
HELLO Debrah!! Thank you so much! How are you??
That’s Beyoncé!?!
Yep!