Dear Hum TV, showing models in blackface in NOT ok

By Omar R Quraishi

A couple of days ago a popular Pakistani morning TV show host Sanam Jung had a segment in which models put on make-up to darken their skins.

The idea, the host on Hum TV said, was to show that dark skin could also look good. It seems Ms Jung was presumably unaware that this is universally considered morally reprehensible. 




One can only help but wonder how a nationally known show host at a major TV channel would be unaware of how offensive all this was. The show's producer is also at fault -- presumably he will also claim that he didn't know this would be offensive.

The 'N' word was repeatedly used by the TV show host when referring to the make-up, and even terms like 'makrani' and 'sheedi' were also used. 

At the very least, the host and the channel both need to make an unqualified apology.

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