Expert: Ralph Salier - 1/27/2011

Question
1.   How do you define colonial mentality?
2.   Skin whitening industry is booming nowadays. Is this a result of colonial mentality?
3.   Commercials of skin products use white models to attract the viewers. Is it a standard  in the society today that once you are white you are beautiful?
4.   Is the color of the skin has something  to do with the economic status of a person?
5.   How  does  skin whitening affect Filipino culture?
6.   Is it true that if you are white skinned , you are less Filipino?
7.   Does skin whitening create new culture?
8.   Is being white an advantage in terms of employment?
9.   Can we say that it is now acceptable to the society to change the color of the skin?
10.   Is changing the color of the skin affects the identity of a Filpino?

Answer
There is a view that people who are white are better off economically and socially.  While this view is promulgated on TV and movies, it is only marginally true.  

The colonial mentality is part of the old way that White cultures put down the local cultures and peoples.  While t his still occurs in areas that were colonized by the west, this is not mostly due to economic positioning.  But the view of white is better still holds sway even though this is clearly nolonger the case.

1) an air of being superior
2) it may be, but there is a view that being white will help you get ahead.
3) While I am not Filipino, I have friends who are and they feel that movie stars are beautiful and since many are white, this is the goal.  
4) This is the broadly held view but I'm not sure if this is reality
5) It produces an artificial need to change and this may not be good for society.
6) I don't think so unless you put on "airs" of being better then your peers.
7) no
8) it may be in some circumstances but just because your skin is lighter in colour does not mean that you can do the job.
9) Marginally.
10) It may but it is only skin deep.