THE Department of Sociology, Psychology and Social Work at the University of the West Indies (UWI) takes a look at the phenomenon of skin bleaching in the dancehall during a forum to be held this evening at Neville Hall Lecture Theatre.

According to the organisers, the forum intends to highlight the fact that Jamaica has a history of skin bleaching that stretches right back to the days of slavery, when the slaves used lye (sodium hydroxide) as the chemical of choice to lighten (bleach) their skin.

Fast-forward to the present and the practice of skin bleaching has been embraced by many of the Dancehall generation, both male and female. Additionally, Dancehall artistes are now openly indulging in the practice of bleaching, as a mark of style and fashion.

The presenters, Dr Imani Tafari-Ama, author of Blood, Bullets and Bodies: Sexual Politics Below Jamaica’s Poverty Line and Annie Paul, chief publications officer from the Sir Arthur Lewis Institute of Social and Economic Studies, will be shedding some light on these issues as part of the Black History Month meets Reggae Month series of events.