1 00:00:01,580 --> 00:00:05,579 Michael Jackson's facial transformation shocked the world. 2 00:00:05,940 --> 00:00:09,819 At the time, many saw him as a freak, but today, 3 00:00:09,820 --> 00:00:13,219 behind the closed doors of clinics across the globe, 4 00:00:13,220 --> 00:00:17,219 people are changing their race. 5 00:00:17,580 --> 00:00:21,579 What I dream about is how to look white. 6 00:00:22,100 --> 00:00:26,099 How to become white, how to look white and beautiful. 7 00:00:26,620 --> 00:00:29,299 I want a straighter, more European nose. 8 00:00:29,300 --> 00:00:33,019 No, no, no, Jet! Don't do it, girl! 9 00:00:33,020 --> 00:00:36,459 Welcome to the brave new world of deracialisation, 10 00:00:36,460 --> 00:00:38,819 where surgeons can change your identity, 11 00:00:38,820 --> 00:00:42,819 making you whiter, more European. 12 00:00:43,540 --> 00:00:47,539 It's not cool to be Indian and it's not attractive to be Indian. 13 00:00:47,940 --> 00:00:51,259 It is a part of the globalisation process... 14 00:00:51,260 --> 00:00:58,259 where the ethnic differences are going to be narrower and narrower. 15 00:00:58,940 --> 00:01:02,939 Whether you want longer legs, less body hair or a larger penis, 16 00:01:03,580 --> 00:01:07,979 a Caucasian nose, wider eyes or even a stronger jaw line, 17 00:01:08,460 --> 00:01:11,179 in the hidden world of deracialisation, 18 00:01:11,180 --> 00:01:12,939 anything is possible. 19 00:01:12,940 --> 00:01:15,859 Be happy in the skin that you are in. 20 00:01:15,860 --> 00:01:19,539 Stop fooling yourself and finding different excuses to pretend that 21 00:01:19,540 --> 00:01:21,459 you're doing it for other reasons. 22 00:01:21,460 --> 00:01:25,459 It's because you're trying to become white. 23 00:01:32,780 --> 00:01:35,619 Black girls, they don't want to further themselves. 24 00:01:35,620 --> 00:01:39,459 I'll see them and they'll be pushing a pram and smoking a cigarette. 25 00:01:39,460 --> 00:01:43,219 They just do not want to move on with their lives. 26 00:01:43,220 --> 00:01:46,179 Glamour model Jet wants to change what she sees 27 00:01:46,180 --> 00:01:50,179 as her typically Caribbean nose and is planning surgery. 28 00:01:50,940 --> 00:01:54,739 On average, black female noses are more than 25% wider 29 00:01:55,140 --> 00:01:58,699 than those of white females. 30 00:01:58,700 --> 00:02:02,999 I look at my nose, it's quite a black nose, a black person's nose, 31 00:02:03,860 --> 00:02:06,219 and it doesn't really go with the way I look, 32 00:02:06,220 --> 00:02:10,219 so I think a straighter nose would suit me. 33 00:02:11,560 --> 00:02:15,559 Jet lives in a gated community in a wealthy corner of Essex, 34 00:02:15,920 --> 00:02:19,319 a county that's 97% white. 35 00:02:19,320 --> 00:02:22,199 It's a million miles from where she grew up - 36 00:02:22,200 --> 00:02:25,479 a poor black area in the East End of London. 37 00:02:25,480 --> 00:02:27,119 I'm the only black women here. 38 00:02:27,120 --> 00:02:29,919 I think there's a black singer and a black footballer 39 00:02:29,920 --> 00:02:33,759 and that's about it, really! I mean, all my friends are white. 40 00:02:33,760 --> 00:02:37,759 My personal trainer's black, but that's about it, really. 41 00:02:39,160 --> 00:02:42,679 I could easily just be sitting down smoking weed and not doing anything 42 00:02:42,680 --> 00:02:46,679 or I can walk into Waitrose and hold my head up. 43 00:02:49,120 --> 00:02:54,419 For 28-year-old Jet, Michael Jackson is a source of inspiration. 44 00:02:55,120 --> 00:02:57,119 I can understand why Michael Jackson 45 00:02:57,120 --> 00:03:01,039 wanted to get rid of the typical black nose because obviously, 46 00:03:01,040 --> 00:03:05,539 to fit into this society, you've got to look a bit more European, 47 00:03:05,800 --> 00:03:08,799 and that's what he did. 48 00:03:10,080 --> 00:03:13,279 In the black community, talk of changing your racial features 49 00:03:13,280 --> 00:03:16,279 is politically explosive. 50 00:03:18,040 --> 00:03:21,959 Jet is willing to confront her critics on a local radio show. 51 00:03:21,960 --> 00:03:25,679 These are Jet's words - she would like to have more of a "white nose" 52 00:03:25,680 --> 00:03:27,479 and less of a "black nose". 53 00:03:27,480 --> 00:03:31,479 I want a straighter, more European nose because if I smile, 54 00:03:31,840 --> 00:03:34,639 it goes wide and that is a typical black nose 55 00:03:34,640 --> 00:03:37,919 with a bobble at the end and the two flares. 56 00:03:37,920 --> 00:03:40,199 It looks all right to me. 57 00:03:40,200 --> 00:03:43,239 We've got a text here from Dee in Mitcham, who says this - 58 00:03:43,240 --> 00:03:45,879 you're not going to like it - "Wow, that young lady 59 00:03:45,880 --> 00:03:48,199 "is amazingly something vacuous. 60 00:03:48,200 --> 00:03:51,919 "I really can't believe she's black or even in possession of a brain". 61 00:03:51,920 --> 00:03:53,919 She's certainly black, Dee. In terms of your brain... 62 00:03:53,920 --> 00:03:55,079 Is that a guy? 63 00:03:55,080 --> 00:03:56,719 D-E-E, so I presume it's a woman. 64 00:03:56,720 --> 00:03:58,719 Mmm.Mmm. 65 00:03:58,720 --> 00:04:01,999 I've got this one who says, "Does she mean a "white nose" 66 00:04:02,000 --> 00:04:05,159 "or does she mean a small one? It's another more subtle form 67 00:04:05,160 --> 00:04:09,119 "of racism to use racial words as interchangeable with adjectives, 68 00:04:09,120 --> 00:04:13,119 "ie, white equals small, pretty. Black equals big, ugly." 69 00:04:14,960 --> 00:04:18,879 Jet is taken aback by the ferocity of the comments. 70 00:04:18,880 --> 00:04:22,559 But they've merely reinforced her desire to escape her black roots. 71 00:04:23,560 --> 00:04:26,519 I don't know why black girls are like that with me, maybe it's because 72 00:04:26,520 --> 00:04:29,759 they think I'm an embarrassment to black people or something, 73 00:04:29,760 --> 00:04:32,559 or maybe they think, "Actually, she has done well, 74 00:04:32,560 --> 00:04:36,559 "let's put her down a bit so she's more on our level". 75 00:04:37,320 --> 00:04:39,679 'I thought Jet's views were kind of warped. 76 00:04:39,680 --> 00:04:43,979 'Her idea of beauty certainly is. It's almost like she's bought into' 77 00:04:44,240 --> 00:04:48,739 not just white culture, but Essex culture, if I can say that. 78 00:04:49,040 --> 00:04:51,519 These are the people she hangs around. 79 00:04:51,820 --> 00:04:53,799 I saw and I heard a white girl. 80 00:04:53,800 --> 00:04:57,799 I saw a white girl and I heard a white girl talking to me. 81 00:04:58,760 --> 00:05:01,199 The problem is that people aren't honest enough 82 00:05:01,200 --> 00:05:04,159 or focused enough to say, "I want to be white. 83 00:05:04,160 --> 00:05:08,159 "I don't care what anybody says and argues, the reason why I want 84 00:05:08,600 --> 00:05:12,319 "a smaller nose is because I think it'll stand me in good stead". 85 00:05:12,320 --> 00:05:14,279 Stand you in good stead to whom? 86 00:05:14,280 --> 00:05:18,279 For whom? The host community who happen to be white? 87 00:05:20,680 --> 00:05:24,119 Michael Jackson is the best-known example of someone 88 00:05:24,120 --> 00:05:28,719 trying to change their race, or what's known as deracialisation. 89 00:05:29,440 --> 00:05:32,199 He claimed his drastic change in colour 90 00:05:32,200 --> 00:05:35,319 was the result of vitiligo, a medical condition. 91 00:05:35,320 --> 00:05:39,319 Others say he lightened his skin artificially. 92 00:05:40,120 --> 00:05:43,239 One woman who watched his change with interest is Tahira, 93 00:05:43,240 --> 00:05:47,239 a 32-year-old Bangladeshi mother of three. 94 00:05:49,240 --> 00:05:51,919 Michael Jackson, I love his colour. 95 00:05:51,920 --> 00:05:57,919 I just want to know what type of thing he used to become that colour. 96 00:05:58,960 --> 00:06:01,599 Tahira feels intense pressure from her community 97 00:06:01,600 --> 00:06:05,899 to have lighter skin. She constantly compares herself 98 00:06:06,000 --> 00:06:09,999 to her fair-skinned Bangladeshi husband. 99 00:06:10,600 --> 00:06:13,839 You can see the colour difference! 100 00:06:13,840 --> 00:06:16,439 When we go out, Asian people compare us. 101 00:06:16,440 --> 00:06:19,999 He's too white and I'm too dark. 102 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:23,119 He's fair and good looking, 103 00:06:23,120 --> 00:06:25,679 and I'm dark and ugly. 104 00:06:25,680 --> 00:06:29,679 How did they get together? 105 00:06:32,200 --> 00:06:34,999 Tahira spends most of her time at home, 106 00:06:35,000 --> 00:06:38,679 fearful of the prejudice within her own community. 107 00:06:38,680 --> 00:06:41,039 Her 12-year-old daughter Tameena 108 00:06:41,040 --> 00:06:44,719 is hurt by the hatred her mother faces. 109 00:06:44,720 --> 00:06:48,399 When I go to the market with my mum, if there's loads of Asians there, 110 00:06:48,400 --> 00:06:52,199 they'll look at her and they'll sometimes laugh 111 00:06:52,200 --> 00:06:53,959 or talk about her colour. 112 00:06:53,960 --> 00:06:57,959 That's she's not pretty, that she's ugly because she's dark. 113 00:07:01,000 --> 00:07:04,999 She gets really upset, and sometimes she'd even cry. 114 00:07:05,680 --> 00:07:09,159 I think my mum is pretty no matter what colour she is. 115 00:07:09,160 --> 00:07:13,159 Look at her features, she's really pretty. 116 00:07:19,640 --> 00:07:22,479 I don't like talking about it either because it just 117 00:07:22,480 --> 00:07:26,159 makes me upset and angry that people think like that about my mum 118 00:07:26,160 --> 00:07:28,559 just because she's dark. 119 00:07:28,560 --> 00:07:30,879 I just want... 120 00:07:30,880 --> 00:07:34,879 her to be happy. If she could get something to be done with her... 121 00:07:35,760 --> 00:07:39,439 Michael Jackson completely transformed the colour of his skin. 122 00:07:39,440 --> 00:07:43,439 Will Tahira follow in the footsteps of her hero? 123 00:07:45,280 --> 00:07:49,159 There are major differences in the facial features 124 00:07:49,160 --> 00:07:51,359 of different racial groups. 125 00:07:51,360 --> 00:07:55,359 Asian faces tend to be more rounded with prominent noses. 126 00:07:56,280 --> 00:08:00,979 Oriental faces typically have narrow eyes and flatter features. 127 00:08:01,400 --> 00:08:05,799 Black faces tend to have wider noses and thicker lips. 128 00:08:06,440 --> 00:08:11,739 The white face, however, is held up by many as the ideal. 129 00:08:12,560 --> 00:08:13,999 The idea that a broad nose 130 00:08:14,000 --> 00:08:18,999 and woolly, curly hair is ugly goes back hundreds of years 131 00:08:19,720 --> 00:08:22,799 when the Europeans were defining among themselves 132 00:08:22,800 --> 00:08:25,359 what was the ideal of beauty. 133 00:08:25,360 --> 00:08:28,819 They arrived at the Greek, Roman, classical body. 134 00:08:28,920 --> 00:08:31,839 The Western classical idea of beauty 135 00:08:31,840 --> 00:08:35,399 contrasted very violently 136 00:08:35,400 --> 00:08:39,399 against the reality of the African body. 137 00:08:40,740 --> 00:08:45,439 29-year-old Jet has her own ideas about beauty. 138 00:08:46,080 --> 00:08:49,919 She aspires to conform to the ultimate Western icon. 139 00:08:49,920 --> 00:08:53,439 I have a Barbie doll in my bathroom all the time. 140 00:08:53,440 --> 00:08:54,679 And here she is. 141 00:08:54,680 --> 00:08:58,679 I've always wanted to look like Barbie, since I was a little girl. 142 00:08:58,800 --> 00:09:02,039 I think that is like a perfect woman. 143 00:09:02,040 --> 00:09:06,039 She's got nice, long hair which is down to her waist, 144 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:09,759 brilliant white teeth and long eyelashes. 145 00:09:09,760 --> 00:09:12,239 She's got a very straight nose, no lump, 146 00:09:12,240 --> 00:09:15,599 and it's very pointed and actually shows that tip there. 147 00:09:15,600 --> 00:09:18,879 That is the perfect nose. 148 00:09:18,880 --> 00:09:21,199 My idea of beauty 149 00:09:21,200 --> 00:09:22,959 is a more European look, 150 00:09:22,960 --> 00:09:27,959 a lot prettier than a black African look. 151 00:09:30,000 --> 00:09:33,879 I've got a typical, historically African nose 152 00:09:33,880 --> 00:09:35,799 which obviously I got from my parents. 153 00:09:35,800 --> 00:09:39,799 It flares out at the side with a bobble, and quite wide. 154 00:09:39,880 --> 00:09:42,559 But obviously it doesn't fit in with my look, 155 00:09:42,560 --> 00:09:46,959 and I'd like to have a more Caucasian-looking nose 156 00:09:47,680 --> 00:09:51,179 so that it can all sort of blend in, really. 157 00:09:53,300 --> 00:09:57,299 28-year-old Mun is also envious of white faces. 158 00:09:57,820 --> 00:10:01,919 He's from north-west Kent, an area with a history of racial tension. 159 00:10:03,460 --> 00:10:05,779 He still lives at home with his parents, wife 160 00:10:05,780 --> 00:10:07,539 and one-year-old daughter. 161 00:10:08,540 --> 00:10:10,699 While he makes a living as a surveyor, 162 00:10:10,700 --> 00:10:12,979 he aspires to work full-time as a model. 163 00:10:13,780 --> 00:10:17,779 But he's frustrated that his Asian features are holding him back. 164 00:10:19,580 --> 00:10:21,579 It's funny, people accept you more 165 00:10:21,580 --> 00:10:24,859 when they think you're European or Hispanic or something. 166 00:10:24,860 --> 00:10:28,859 It's quite strange how people would want to talk to you 167 00:10:29,100 --> 00:10:31,979 and be your friend because you fit in, you're one of them. 168 00:10:31,980 --> 00:10:35,979 It's disgusting, but everybody judges a book by its cover. 169 00:10:37,780 --> 00:10:40,859 He is trying to achieve more of a white, Caucasian look. 170 00:10:40,860 --> 00:10:43,819 That's the word he uses, that's how he wants to look. 171 00:10:43,820 --> 00:10:47,179 Basically only because his features are more Asian 172 00:10:47,180 --> 00:10:49,419 and they're not so, like, they say, 173 00:10:49,420 --> 00:10:51,179 a more European type. 174 00:10:51,180 --> 00:10:55,179 I've been with him to his castings and I get to hear this. 175 00:10:56,940 --> 00:10:59,939 Mun is convinced he needs to look more European 176 00:10:59,940 --> 00:11:03,179 to make it in the modelling industry. 177 00:11:03,180 --> 00:11:07,059 He's already had some cosmetic surgery to make his nose thinner 178 00:11:07,060 --> 00:11:11,059 and laser liposuction on his jaw to increase definition. 179 00:11:12,300 --> 00:11:14,499 But now he hopes to go further, 180 00:11:14,500 --> 00:11:18,499 making his nose even thinner and his jawline less chubby. 181 00:11:19,100 --> 00:11:21,459 I've had the jawline done. 182 00:11:21,460 --> 00:11:24,539 The skin underneath here is slightly tightened around here, 183 00:11:24,540 --> 00:11:27,979 which'll need to be done again because I'm still not happy with it. 184 00:11:27,980 --> 00:11:31,979 I want it to sort of be like that. At the moment it's a soft jawline. 185 00:11:32,340 --> 00:11:36,339 It needs to be really made chiselled. 186 00:11:38,340 --> 00:11:42,339 De-racialisation surgery is thriving across the globe. 187 00:11:42,380 --> 00:11:44,579 No facial feature is off-limits, 188 00:11:44,580 --> 00:11:46,899 from nose jobs in Iran 189 00:11:46,900 --> 00:11:50,899 to lip reductions in America. 190 00:11:51,900 --> 00:11:53,499 South Korea is the capital 191 00:11:53,500 --> 00:11:56,659 of this new industry. 192 00:11:56,660 --> 00:11:59,579 The BK Clinic in Seoul is one of the busiest. 193 00:11:59,580 --> 00:12:01,579 They have 20 full-time surgeons, 194 00:12:01,580 --> 00:12:06,579 14 admission rooms and 17 operating theatres. 195 00:12:07,580 --> 00:12:10,099 This is room one, performing eye and lip surgery. 196 00:12:10,100 --> 00:12:12,739 Room number two, eye and lip surgery. 197 00:12:12,740 --> 00:12:15,099 Number three, eye surgery. 198 00:12:15,100 --> 00:12:19,099 And the next room is number four, they're in surgery. 199 00:12:20,220 --> 00:12:23,339 An estimated one in ten adults in South Korea 200 00:12:23,340 --> 00:12:24,819 has had cosmetic surgery. 201 00:12:24,820 --> 00:12:28,259 The most common request is the double eyelid procedure. 202 00:12:28,260 --> 00:12:32,959 Asian people don't have a big double fold. They have small eyes. 203 00:12:33,220 --> 00:12:35,539 Caucasian people 204 00:12:35,540 --> 00:12:39,939 can open their eyes bigger and they have a big double fold. 205 00:12:40,780 --> 00:12:45,779 Asian people don't have the similar face with Caucasian people. 206 00:12:57,300 --> 00:13:00,459 Some scientists believe that the single eyelid evolved 207 00:13:00,460 --> 00:13:04,759 in oriental populations to protect their eyes from the harsh sunlight, 208 00:13:05,180 --> 00:13:09,179 strong winds and cold temperatures of Central Asia. 209 00:13:10,260 --> 00:13:14,259 After this procedure it makes her eyes look bigger. 210 00:13:16,780 --> 00:13:19,819 We're almost there. 211 00:13:19,820 --> 00:13:23,819 Another procedure that's popular is known as face smashing 212 00:13:23,820 --> 00:13:27,819 where round, oriental faces are given a more Western look. 213 00:13:28,300 --> 00:13:29,899 The cheekbone is cut in two places, 214 00:13:29,900 --> 00:13:33,819 pushed inwards and lifted to give the face more definition. 215 00:13:34,820 --> 00:13:37,059 The jawline is made more angular 216 00:13:37,060 --> 00:13:41,059 by cutting a slice off the bone and removing it from the mouth. 217 00:13:46,000 --> 00:13:49,719 All the Asian people want to have the appearance like this. 218 00:13:49,820 --> 00:13:51,259 They like the slender, 219 00:13:51,260 --> 00:13:55,059 nicer features and smaller face. 220 00:14:01,940 --> 00:14:03,899 Westernisation is so widespread 221 00:14:03,900 --> 00:14:07,899 that Dr Kim has even had surgery himself. 222 00:14:08,380 --> 00:14:11,419 I did some surgeries on my face. 223 00:14:11,420 --> 00:14:15,419 This picture was taken when I was 40. 224 00:14:15,740 --> 00:14:19,419 This was taken when I was 46, now. 225 00:14:19,420 --> 00:14:23,299 My operation has made my face more Westernised. 226 00:14:23,300 --> 00:14:27,299 More younger and a Westernised appearance. 227 00:14:28,720 --> 00:14:32,419 Mun is also after a more Westernised look. 228 00:14:34,300 --> 00:14:36,939 Today he's meeting Mr Vadoderia, 229 00:14:36,940 --> 00:14:40,939 the surgeon who performed his previous operation. 230 00:14:41,100 --> 00:14:44,339 There are no guidelines in the UK governing how far surgeons 231 00:14:44,340 --> 00:14:45,979 can alter ethnic features, 232 00:14:45,980 --> 00:14:48,259 as long as it is medically safe 233 00:14:48,260 --> 00:14:51,579 and the patient is making an informed choice. 234 00:14:51,580 --> 00:14:54,139 I don't want to look like the typical Indian boy, 235 00:14:54,140 --> 00:14:56,939 what people look at and say, "Look at him." 236 00:14:56,940 --> 00:14:59,579 I want to blend in. 237 00:14:59,580 --> 00:15:03,579 You know, to fit in, to be accepted more. 238 00:15:06,400 --> 00:15:08,739 So, what do you want to do now? 239 00:15:08,740 --> 00:15:11,099 I want the jawline to be very prominent, strong, 240 00:15:11,100 --> 00:15:14,019 like as very sharp feature. 241 00:15:14,020 --> 00:15:17,819 A lot of this fat and this tissue should be taken out if possible. 242 00:15:17,820 --> 00:15:21,219 So it'll be a lot shallower. 243 00:15:24,660 --> 00:15:28,259 So do you agree with the process of Westernisation? 244 00:15:28,860 --> 00:15:32,859 I would call it globalisation rather than Westernisation. 245 00:15:33,740 --> 00:15:35,699 And, um... 246 00:15:35,700 --> 00:15:37,619 Yes, you know. 247 00:15:37,620 --> 00:15:43,619 So if someone said that you do is deracialising ethnic minorities from look more Caucasian 248 00:15:43,780 --> 00:15:46,179 how would you respond to that? 249 00:15:46,180 --> 00:15:49,259 Well, I think... 250 00:15:49,260 --> 00:15:52,219 ..it would be confrontation, I suppose. 251 00:15:52,220 --> 00:15:54,939 I think people are trying to adapt 252 00:15:54,940 --> 00:15:58,939 to each others' environment and each others' society. 253 00:15:59,540 --> 00:16:05,539 If an Asian person would live in a white, Caucasian society 254 00:16:05,700 --> 00:16:08,979 and if he feels that one or two features of his body 255 00:16:08,980 --> 00:16:10,859 need to be modified, 256 00:16:10,860 --> 00:16:13,259 and if it's possible within reason 257 00:16:13,260 --> 00:16:15,819 and within the scope of plastic surgery, 258 00:16:15,820 --> 00:16:19,819 I think it should be sympathetically considered. 259 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:25,899 How dare anybody turn round and say my nose is too big? 260 00:16:25,900 --> 00:16:29,099 "I'd like a Caucasian nose, I'd like to look white." 261 00:16:29,100 --> 00:16:32,459 You may as well paint yourself white and get out of the black race. 262 00:16:32,460 --> 00:16:34,339 I'm sick of these people 263 00:16:34,340 --> 00:16:38,339 who keep on using excuses, who keep on trying to say, 264 00:16:38,540 --> 00:16:41,179 "I love being black, but, but, but..." 265 00:16:41,180 --> 00:16:45,079 If you love being black, stay the way you are. 266 00:16:47,980 --> 00:16:51,979 For Tahira, the political arguments have little effect. 267 00:16:52,500 --> 00:16:55,859 She's desperate to find a way to lighten her skin 268 00:16:55,860 --> 00:16:58,619 and the pressure is coming from her own community. 269 00:16:58,920 --> 00:17:01,179 In Asian society, 270 00:17:01,180 --> 00:17:05,179 the fairer your skin, the more beautiful you are perceived to be. 271 00:17:05,700 --> 00:17:09,699 Darker skin is associated with lower castes. 272 00:17:09,860 --> 00:17:13,859 They're just all fairness creams to make you look white. 273 00:17:13,980 --> 00:17:17,779 Are you concerned that you don't know what you're putting on? 274 00:17:18,100 --> 00:17:21,259 I'm just taking my own risk and trying it, basically. 275 00:17:21,260 --> 00:17:24,259 So far nothing has happened. 276 00:17:26,060 --> 00:17:28,739 Tahira rarely leaves the house, 277 00:17:28,740 --> 00:17:32,379 worried that she'll be judged by the colour of her skin. 278 00:17:32,380 --> 00:17:34,899 Asian people are quite racist 279 00:17:34,900 --> 00:17:38,379 because... I mean, you wouldn't pick on your own people, would you? 280 00:17:38,380 --> 00:17:42,379 No, so... But they do. 281 00:17:45,700 --> 00:17:48,539 We grew up in these colonial societies, 282 00:17:48,540 --> 00:17:52,339 where there was a hierarchy of colour. 283 00:17:52,340 --> 00:17:53,859 Even today in the Caribbean, 284 00:17:53,860 --> 00:17:56,659 in Africa, in India, certainly in Britain, 285 00:17:56,660 --> 00:18:00,659 skin tone is still a critical factor 286 00:18:01,020 --> 00:18:03,179 in separating people 287 00:18:03,180 --> 00:18:07,179 and saying who are debased and who are worthy of attention. 288 00:18:08,540 --> 00:18:11,079 Today Tahira is in east London 289 00:18:11,180 --> 00:18:15,179 where she hopes to find some new skin lightening products. 290 00:18:17,380 --> 00:18:21,379 Illegal creams are on sale in a few of the shops. 291 00:18:22,420 --> 00:18:26,419 The black market is worth millions of pounds a year. 292 00:18:28,100 --> 00:18:34,099 Creams can contain toxic substances such as hydroxy quinone. 293 00:18:35,420 --> 00:18:39,419 It wasn't on the shelf. It was under the counter, basically. 294 00:18:39,420 --> 00:18:43,139 It's herbal face fair cream. 295 00:18:43,140 --> 00:18:47,139 She said you can only buy this in Pakistan. 296 00:18:48,020 --> 00:18:49,379 It cost me 30. 297 00:18:49,380 --> 00:18:53,379 There are no ingredients on it whatsoever. 298 00:18:54,300 --> 00:18:57,659 Aren't you really worried that you could damage your skin, 299 00:18:57,660 --> 00:18:58,859 scar it permanently? 300 00:18:58,860 --> 00:19:02,139 I like to try it out first 301 00:19:02,140 --> 00:19:04,299 and then if I start getting something, 302 00:19:04,300 --> 00:19:07,259 side effects or skin burn, 303 00:19:07,260 --> 00:19:12,259 then I'll stop that product and leave it and try something else. 304 00:19:12,780 --> 00:19:15,659 If I don't see anything wrong 305 00:19:15,660 --> 00:19:19,059 then I'll just continue. 306 00:19:25,980 --> 00:19:29,179 Even within Asian culture and African Caribbean culture 307 00:19:29,180 --> 00:19:32,899 there's this stupid, colonial, slave-type mentality 308 00:19:32,900 --> 00:19:36,179 taught to us by white people, because they're superior. 309 00:19:36,180 --> 00:19:39,859 They came along, they civilised us, they showed us the way it should be 310 00:19:39,860 --> 00:19:43,859 and the way to be civilised is to "be like us". "Be white like us." 311 00:19:48,220 --> 00:19:52,219 In white Britain, Mun feels his Asian features make him stick out. 312 00:19:54,300 --> 00:19:58,299 His obsession with blending in dates back to his childhood. 313 00:19:59,860 --> 00:20:02,659 When I first started the school it was name-calling. 314 00:20:02,660 --> 00:20:05,939 You know, "You Paki, do a Red Indian dance." 315 00:20:05,940 --> 00:20:09,939 There had to be a constant reminder I was different. 316 00:20:10,420 --> 00:20:13,139 Then the bullies started to get a little bit braver. 317 00:20:13,140 --> 00:20:16,299 He suffered a series of brutal, racial attacks 318 00:20:16,300 --> 00:20:18,099 while still at school. 319 00:20:18,100 --> 00:20:22,099 On one occasion a gang of white youths were carrying weapons. 320 00:20:22,260 --> 00:20:26,259 All I remember was a white flash of light. 321 00:20:26,260 --> 00:20:29,219 That white flash of light was an iron bar 322 00:20:29,220 --> 00:20:31,939 and basically the bar struck across my face, 323 00:20:31,940 --> 00:20:33,579 knocked the front two teeth out. 324 00:20:33,780 --> 00:20:38,579 Even up to today, God forbid, if anybody did the same to my child, 325 00:20:39,940 --> 00:20:42,139 I would do time in prison. 326 00:20:42,140 --> 00:20:46,039 I would physically hurt somebody. 327 00:20:48,420 --> 00:20:51,019 Mun returns to the scene of the attack 328 00:20:51,020 --> 00:20:54,179 for the first time in 11 years. 329 00:20:54,500 --> 00:20:56,899 This is where it happened. 330 00:20:56,900 --> 00:21:01,899 Basically from here is where my whole life turned around. 331 00:21:02,460 --> 00:21:06,459 (MAN SHOUTS) 332 00:21:08,820 --> 00:21:10,899 Oh, "You terrorist Paki," or something. 333 00:21:10,900 --> 00:21:14,999 This area, this is basically exactly what you expect. 334 00:21:15,740 --> 00:21:18,819 It just shows you the mentality of the people, 335 00:21:18,820 --> 00:21:20,299 the racism and the hatred. 336 00:21:20,300 --> 00:21:24,099 It's been 11 years. Nothing's changed. 337 00:21:27,900 --> 00:21:30,899 Jet has also been a victim of physical violence. 338 00:21:30,900 --> 00:21:33,499 In her case the attackers were black, 339 00:21:33,500 --> 00:21:36,219 a vicious girl gang from east London. 340 00:21:36,220 --> 00:21:40,219 Since that day, Jet has been keen to escape her black roots. 341 00:21:40,980 --> 00:21:43,499 Her nose job is just one more step 342 00:21:43,500 --> 00:21:47,079 towards fitting into the white world. 343 00:21:47,380 --> 00:21:51,379 About 20 black girls all came out of the bushes, 344 00:21:51,540 --> 00:21:55,839 came out of different directions and got me up against this wall 345 00:21:56,220 --> 00:21:58,059 and there was nothing I could do. 346 00:21:58,060 --> 00:22:01,139 I was on the floor and they were stamping on my head, kicking me. 347 00:22:01,140 --> 00:22:03,219 They tore some of my hair out. 348 00:22:03,220 --> 00:22:05,859 They cut my legs and my face. 349 00:22:05,860 --> 00:22:09,959 That incident hurt my nose and that's where I got my little lump from. 350 00:22:10,940 --> 00:22:13,299 It puts me off going to all-black places, 351 00:22:13,300 --> 00:22:16,459 like all-black nightclubs and stuff like that. 352 00:22:16,460 --> 00:22:20,959 That's the way I feel. It panics me, to be in an all-black situation now. 353 00:22:24,540 --> 00:22:27,939 It's just like leaving that old self behind. 354 00:22:27,940 --> 00:22:31,419 This nose has a lot of bad memories, obviously where I was attacked. 355 00:22:31,420 --> 00:22:35,179 It was broken, so that's why it's wonky 356 00:22:35,180 --> 00:22:37,579 and every time I look in the mirror and see it, 357 00:22:37,580 --> 00:22:39,859 it does remind me of those times. 358 00:22:39,860 --> 00:22:41,419 Once I have my nose done, 359 00:22:41,420 --> 00:22:44,259 I think it will have closure on all the bad things 360 00:22:44,260 --> 00:22:47,259 that have happened in the past. 361 00:22:49,500 --> 00:22:51,739 Mun is also after closure. 362 00:22:51,740 --> 00:22:55,739 The racial violence has left a deep impression. 363 00:22:56,060 --> 00:22:59,499 If you look at the bastards I had a problem with in the past, 364 00:22:59,500 --> 00:23:01,619 they were white racist pricks. 365 00:23:01,620 --> 00:23:04,939 Basically had a chip on their shoulder about life 366 00:23:04,940 --> 00:23:06,419 and about anybody. 367 00:23:06,420 --> 00:23:08,219 I was an easy target. 368 00:23:08,220 --> 00:23:12,219 I looked like this small, little, weedy guy. 369 00:23:13,340 --> 00:23:16,379 For Mun, the best way of getting back at his attackers 370 00:23:16,380 --> 00:23:18,819 is by succeeding in the white world. 371 00:23:18,820 --> 00:23:21,099 He thinks he'll get his revenge 372 00:23:21,100 --> 00:23:24,619 by reaching the top of his chosen profession, modelling. 373 00:23:24,620 --> 00:23:28,019 If you look at those losers, they're nothing, they're scum. 374 00:23:28,020 --> 00:23:31,339 I'm going places and I look the part as well. 375 00:23:31,340 --> 00:23:34,219 I feel like saying, "Look at you and look at me. 376 00:23:34,220 --> 00:23:37,379 "What have you done since your life of bullying people 377 00:23:37,380 --> 00:23:40,339 "or beating Asian guys up and making yourself feel good? 378 00:23:40,340 --> 00:23:43,339 "What have you done?" 379 00:23:46,000 --> 00:23:49,999 32-year-old Tahira is desperate to lighten her skin. 380 00:23:50,880 --> 00:23:54,879 The recent batch of creams has not worked. 381 00:23:55,400 --> 00:23:59,099 Her family is becoming concerned about her behaviour. 382 00:24:00,400 --> 00:24:04,399 I just wish I was white, not black. 383 00:24:08,320 --> 00:24:11,599 How often do you think about your colour? 384 00:24:11,600 --> 00:24:14,439 I think about it all the time, you know, 385 00:24:14,440 --> 00:24:18,439 how I can change my skin colour, what to do about my skin colour. 386 00:24:22,040 --> 00:24:24,999 Because she get depressed sometimes. 387 00:24:25,000 --> 00:24:28,919 You know, she's in depression, always thinking about colour. 388 00:24:28,920 --> 00:24:30,359 Yeah. 389 00:24:30,360 --> 00:24:33,159 Yeah, I told her a lot of times, "I am happy with you, 390 00:24:33,160 --> 00:24:37,159 "so why are you thinking about your colour and things?" 391 00:24:39,560 --> 00:24:42,679 (LAUGHS) 392 00:24:42,680 --> 00:24:46,679 And what I dream about is how to look white, 393 00:24:47,160 --> 00:24:51,159 how to become white, how to look white and beautiful, I guess. 394 00:24:56,760 --> 00:25:01,759 Whiteness equals power, equals glamour, equals success. 395 00:25:03,200 --> 00:25:07,159 So there is that constant mental anguish, that constant 396 00:25:07,160 --> 00:25:09,839 mental toothache, as it were, yes? 397 00:25:09,840 --> 00:25:12,639 Now, that must create 398 00:25:12,640 --> 00:25:16,119 such mental suffering that 399 00:25:16,120 --> 00:25:20,919 it's almost unimaginable, unless you actually inhabit that skin. 400 00:25:27,680 --> 00:25:29,799 Mun aspires to be a mainstream model. 401 00:25:29,800 --> 00:25:33,999 So far, a lot of his work has come from Asian fashion shows. 402 00:25:35,460 --> 00:25:37,719 He thinks his facial features 403 00:25:37,720 --> 00:25:40,679 are holding him back and is planning more surgery. 404 00:25:40,680 --> 00:25:44,059 But not everyone agrees. 405 00:25:44,160 --> 00:25:47,679 Why is this thing in your head, that you need to change 406 00:25:47,680 --> 00:25:51,159 the way you look and your features and the structure of your face 407 00:25:51,160 --> 00:25:53,719 to look more Caucasian? You're not Caucasian. 408 00:25:53,720 --> 00:25:54,159 You don't look Caucasian. 409 00:25:54,160 --> 00:25:56,839 No, it's not more Caucasian, it's more mainstream. 410 00:25:56,840 --> 00:25:59,359 So do you want to look non-Asian? 411 00:25:59,360 --> 00:26:03,659 No, I'm proud of being Indian, but I want to refine my features so I can 412 00:26:03,840 --> 00:26:07,759 lose certain characteristics what I don't like, which, unfortunately, 413 00:26:07,760 --> 00:26:12,759 those characteristics - a big nose and a fat, chubby face - are Asian. 414 00:26:13,400 --> 00:26:16,519 Human nature dictates that people want to be part 415 00:26:16,520 --> 00:26:18,199 and fit in in the mainstream. 416 00:26:18,200 --> 00:26:19,559 Mun, don't do it. 417 00:26:19,560 --> 00:26:22,839 The perception that he wants to fit in... He's living in a foreign 418 00:26:22,840 --> 00:26:25,239 country or perceived to be a foreign country... 419 00:26:25,240 --> 00:26:27,959 Don't sell out. be proud of who you are. It's what you are. 420 00:26:27,960 --> 00:26:31,959 How would you react to people to say you're selling out, you're losing 421 00:26:33,360 --> 00:26:37,319 your Indian heritage, you're trying to erase your own cultural identity? 422 00:26:37,320 --> 00:26:40,199 I would just say one word to them - wake up. 423 00:26:40,200 --> 00:26:42,079 Wake up, look around you. 424 00:26:42,080 --> 00:26:46,079 How many Indian models do you see who's done international stuff? 425 00:26:46,240 --> 00:26:48,639 Why wouldn't I do it? At least I go for my cause, 426 00:26:48,640 --> 00:26:52,039 at least I've actually got a dream. 427 00:26:57,240 --> 00:27:00,079 It's the day before Jet's operation, 428 00:27:00,080 --> 00:27:04,079 and she's having some last-minute nerves. 429 00:27:07,320 --> 00:27:11,199 Black noses are particularly difficult to reshape because 430 00:27:11,200 --> 00:27:14,199 of their thicker skin and cartilage. 431 00:27:14,200 --> 00:27:17,719 I haven't been able to sleep for the last couple of weeks properly, 432 00:27:17,720 --> 00:27:21,039 and especially last night. I got up in the middle of the night. 433 00:27:21,040 --> 00:27:25,039 Um...and I think tonight I probably won't actually sleep at all. 434 00:27:25,800 --> 00:27:29,799 It has definitely affected me quite a lot, because it's not a small thing. 435 00:27:29,800 --> 00:27:31,839 It's a major thing. 436 00:27:31,840 --> 00:27:35,639 Some people say that the features that you are changing about your 437 00:27:35,640 --> 00:27:39,639 nose are the Afro-Caribbean features, so that, in a way, 438 00:27:40,160 --> 00:27:43,559 you are saying that black noses are unattractive. 439 00:27:43,560 --> 00:27:44,319 Yeah. 440 00:27:44,320 --> 00:27:45,879 What do you think about that? 441 00:27:45,880 --> 00:27:49,879 Um...I don't want to be sending out the wrong message, you know? 442 00:27:50,800 --> 00:27:53,759 Cos I'm not saying that black noses are unattractive. 443 00:27:53,860 --> 00:27:57,959 They just don't look perfect, you know? 444 00:27:58,520 --> 00:28:01,399 And I think I'm just a perfectionist, 445 00:28:01,400 --> 00:28:05,399 so I think it's good to change it. 446 00:28:07,080 --> 00:28:10,239 You could surrender to the little voice in your head which is 447 00:28:10,240 --> 00:28:13,759 telling you, "You're black, you're brown, you're inferior, 448 00:28:13,760 --> 00:28:16,439 "you should be white, you should be white, you should be white." 449 00:28:16,440 --> 00:28:19,119 "God, why am I not white? Why am I not white? 450 00:28:19,120 --> 00:28:21,159 "What have I done wrong, not to be white?" 451 00:28:21,160 --> 00:28:23,119 And therefore what you can do 452 00:28:23,120 --> 00:28:25,999 is pick yourself up and try to become white. 453 00:28:26,000 --> 00:28:29,199 You could deny the company and the companionship 454 00:28:29,200 --> 00:28:30,919 of people of your own ethnicity. 455 00:28:30,920 --> 00:28:34,919 You could change your accent, you could go and do surgery... 456 00:28:37,420 --> 00:28:41,919 The next morning, Jet travels to a hospital somewhere in west London 457 00:28:42,360 --> 00:28:45,359 for her operation. 458 00:28:46,880 --> 00:28:50,759 The operation costs 3,500 altogether. 459 00:28:50,760 --> 00:28:52,439 I'm just counting 460 00:28:52,440 --> 00:28:56,439 all the cash that I need to pay him when I get there. 461 00:28:57,720 --> 00:28:59,119 Loads of money! 462 00:28:59,120 --> 00:29:01,479 (LAUGHS) 463 00:29:01,480 --> 00:29:04,919 So there's one, two, three and a half. 464 00:29:04,920 --> 00:29:08,919 This nose that I have now just doesn't go with... 465 00:29:10,120 --> 00:29:15,119 my lifestyle, the environment I live in, you know, the clothes I wear 466 00:29:15,880 --> 00:29:20,779 and, you know, the circles I socialise in. It just doesn't go. 467 00:29:20,960 --> 00:29:24,359 It looks like a poor nose. 468 00:29:24,360 --> 00:29:28,359 It doesn't look, y'know, elegant or anything like that. 469 00:29:32,840 --> 00:29:38,039 Bye. I'll say goodbye now, because you can't come in. So see you later! 470 00:29:40,640 --> 00:29:44,639 Jet's surgeon declined to take part in this film. 471 00:29:51,360 --> 00:29:54,999 Mun's plans for surgery have been put on hold. 472 00:29:55,000 --> 00:29:57,839 There's a medical complication. 473 00:29:57,840 --> 00:30:00,839 Until he sees a specialist about his breathing problem, 474 00:30:00,840 --> 00:30:04,839 his plastic surgeon won't operate. 475 00:30:05,040 --> 00:30:07,759 I am getting really fucked off with the situation. 476 00:30:07,760 --> 00:30:10,239 I don't know what's happening. I don't know if 477 00:30:10,240 --> 00:30:12,559 I'm having my operation or not having my operation. 478 00:30:12,560 --> 00:30:16,959 And it's the idea of not knowing or on wait is the thing what annoys me. 479 00:30:17,560 --> 00:30:20,399 I'm a father of one, and we've got a second child on the way. 480 00:30:20,400 --> 00:30:24,399 My wife's pregnant. Y'know, how much more can one person take? 481 00:30:24,540 --> 00:30:28,399 I do want it to really finish off now, for it to happen 482 00:30:28,400 --> 00:30:32,399 and for him to be 100% happy and not complain any more about it. 483 00:30:32,800 --> 00:30:35,759 But there is another option for Mun. 484 00:30:35,760 --> 00:30:39,319 Increasingly, large numbers of British Asians 485 00:30:39,320 --> 00:30:43,319 are going back to India and Pakistan for surgery, where it's cheaper. 486 00:30:46,560 --> 00:30:49,239 I'm feeling quite nervous right now. 487 00:30:49,240 --> 00:30:51,879 What if my nose gets messed up? 488 00:30:51,880 --> 00:30:56,879 29-year-old student Najib is returning to Pakistan, the country 489 00:30:57,080 --> 00:30:59,759 of his birth, for a nose job. 490 00:30:59,760 --> 00:31:01,439 He wants to look more Western 491 00:31:01,440 --> 00:31:05,439 and avoid discrimination against Muslims. 492 00:31:06,280 --> 00:31:08,759 Since 9/11, people's perspective 493 00:31:08,760 --> 00:31:12,719 about Asian people and especially Muslim people, they've changed. 494 00:31:12,720 --> 00:31:16,719 If you look more Asian, you're more likely to be stopped and searched. 495 00:31:16,960 --> 00:31:21,959 So, like, people's minds have changed since the bombings. 496 00:31:23,920 --> 00:31:27,239 Najib feels that unless he looks more Caucasian, 497 00:31:27,240 --> 00:31:29,799 he'll struggle to find work in the UK. 498 00:31:29,800 --> 00:31:33,799 It'd be much, much easier for people if they looked like each other. 499 00:31:34,560 --> 00:31:37,519 The most important thing for me is 500 00:31:37,520 --> 00:31:41,519 right now I want to work in the Western world, 501 00:31:41,880 --> 00:31:45,979 and I think the only way I can do it is by having my plastic surgery. 502 00:31:51,120 --> 00:31:55,439 In Britain, nose jobs cost as much as 4,000. 503 00:31:55,440 --> 00:32:00,439 Here, they're only 1,000. 504 00:32:02,640 --> 00:32:07,639 Najib's operation will be performed by Dr Humayun, one of Pakistan's 505 00:32:08,000 --> 00:32:10,039 leading cosmetic surgeons. 506 00:32:11,040 --> 00:32:12,419 How are you? I'm doing fine. 507 00:32:12,520 --> 00:32:14,639 Please have a seat. 508 00:32:14,640 --> 00:32:17,439 So, could you predict how my nose will look like from...? 509 00:32:17,640 --> 00:32:19,059 I don't do any predictions. 510 00:32:19,160 --> 00:32:22,039 I can only do my best. 511 00:32:22,140 --> 00:32:23,059 Mm... 512 00:32:23,160 --> 00:32:25,019 Your nose will be better in three or four ways. 513 00:32:25,120 --> 00:32:29,919 Number one, your hump will not be there, or reduced. 514 00:32:30,040 --> 00:32:31,119 Mm. 515 00:32:31,120 --> 00:32:35,019 Number two, your broad nose from here will go down. 516 00:32:35,460 --> 00:32:36,359 That's what I want, yeah. 517 00:32:36,360 --> 00:32:39,159 That's what I want, yeah. Your broad tip will go down and you will have an improveness. 518 00:32:39,160 --> 00:32:39,839 Mm. 519 00:32:39,840 --> 00:32:41,239 How much improvements? 520 00:32:41,240 --> 00:32:43,039 About fifty per cent plus/minus. 521 00:32:43,040 --> 00:32:44,079 Mm. 522 00:32:44,080 --> 00:32:47,999 Dr Humayun thinks that Najib's desire for a very 523 00:32:48,000 --> 00:32:52,499 thin European nose is unrealistic, but he's happy to make some changes. 524 00:32:53,040 --> 00:32:57,039 So see you after the procedure's finished, OK? Best of luck. 525 00:33:02,360 --> 00:33:06,039 Now I'm giving the cut. This is called stepladder. 526 00:33:06,040 --> 00:33:09,039 It's just like a small, little step. 527 00:33:12,640 --> 00:33:17,639 People are becoming aware of this procedure in Pakistan. 528 00:33:18,120 --> 00:33:23,119 From the time the media in Pakistan become very look-conscious, 529 00:33:23,520 --> 00:33:27,239 that is when people started to get aware of all these programmes like 530 00:33:27,240 --> 00:33:31,239 Oprah Winfrey and Nip And Tuck and the reality shows. 531 00:33:33,920 --> 00:33:36,159 If we see, 532 00:33:36,160 --> 00:33:38,039 that's roughly how it is looking. 533 00:33:38,040 --> 00:33:40,559 You can see the step is coming up. You can see it's going down. 534 00:33:40,560 --> 00:33:43,519 You can see it's going down, so that's exactly 535 00:33:43,520 --> 00:33:47,519 where I would like for the tip. OK, good. 536 00:33:50,960 --> 00:33:55,959 I've been thinking about this for the last ten years. 537 00:33:56,120 --> 00:33:59,439 I wanna know how my nose will come out in the end. 538 00:33:59,440 --> 00:34:01,679 I hope it's OK. 539 00:34:01,680 --> 00:34:05,679 Because I want to succeed in life. 540 00:34:08,560 --> 00:34:12,559 With images of white beauty so dominant around the world, 541 00:34:13,000 --> 00:34:17,099 the pressure to conform is immense. 542 00:34:18,840 --> 00:34:20,839 Tahira's ignoring her family, 543 00:34:20,840 --> 00:34:24,839 who want her to stop using skin-lightening creams. 544 00:34:26,600 --> 00:34:30,319 Instead, she's seeking professional help and seeing 545 00:34:30,320 --> 00:34:34,019 Dr Otto, a Harley Street specialist. 546 00:34:34,400 --> 00:34:38,399 The way this product works is it blocks the enzyme 547 00:34:38,600 --> 00:34:42,199 that is responsible for pigment, or melanin, production. 548 00:34:42,200 --> 00:34:45,439 Your cells, your melanocytes, 549 00:34:45,440 --> 00:34:49,439 will produce less pigment and you'll get a skin-lightening effect. Right? 550 00:34:50,240 --> 00:34:52,039 How white will I get? 551 00:34:52,040 --> 00:34:55,839 You'll probably become one skin type lighter. So if we 552 00:34:55,840 --> 00:34:59,519 say today you're a skin type five, you might become a skin type four. 553 00:34:59,520 --> 00:35:00,199 Yeah. 554 00:35:00,200 --> 00:35:02,159 Yeah. OK. You can expect to note 555 00:35:02,160 --> 00:35:04,919 there's something in a fortnight, maybe even less. 556 00:35:04,920 --> 00:35:06,519 And it will then be gradual after that. 557 00:35:06,520 --> 00:35:09,999 And it will then be gradual after that. So, you don't know what Michael Jackson uses, do you? 558 00:35:10,000 --> 00:35:12,799 I don't know. But also, it took time. 559 00:35:12,800 --> 00:35:15,559 It didn't happen overnight. I think if we go back over 560 00:35:15,560 --> 00:35:17,519 the years, you will see it was all so gradual. 561 00:35:17,520 --> 00:35:18,559 Oh, right. 562 00:35:18,560 --> 00:35:21,879 It wasn't a one-week thing or two or three, you know? 563 00:35:21,880 --> 00:35:24,879 So, we're ready to go! 564 00:35:27,980 --> 00:35:31,679 Some people would say that lightening skin colour is 565 00:35:31,920 --> 00:35:35,759 deracialisation. Does that concern you in any way? 566 00:35:35,760 --> 00:35:38,639 Well, I would not necessarily agree with that, 567 00:35:38,640 --> 00:35:42,939 because if one looks at different ethnic population groups, 568 00:35:43,680 --> 00:35:47,979 you can have a variety of skin tone and skin colour. 569 00:35:48,760 --> 00:35:52,119 You can have very light and very darker skin types 570 00:35:52,120 --> 00:35:54,999 within a same ethnic population. 571 00:35:55,000 --> 00:35:59,499 The patient was referring to some of her own family that had lighter skin 572 00:35:59,920 --> 00:36:03,619 types, and that's what she wanted. She just wanted to look like them. 573 00:36:07,560 --> 00:36:10,399 Just have a look. 574 00:36:10,400 --> 00:36:14,399 Mm-hm. Let's hope it works and I get white! 575 00:36:15,080 --> 00:36:18,079 White! 576 00:36:21,520 --> 00:36:25,519 The day after Jet's operation, she's back at home recovering. 577 00:36:28,160 --> 00:36:32,159 Black skin is 15 times more likely than Caucasian skin 578 00:36:32,840 --> 00:36:36,159 to develop keloid scars, which are often dark 579 00:36:36,160 --> 00:36:38,839 and difficult to get rid of. 580 00:36:38,840 --> 00:36:42,719 I'm feeling just a little bit tired. 581 00:36:42,720 --> 00:36:44,719 Very tired, actually. 582 00:36:44,720 --> 00:36:48,719 I think I'm still wearing off from the anaesthetic. 583 00:36:49,160 --> 00:36:52,559 Yesterday, at the hospital, what was running through your head? 584 00:36:52,560 --> 00:36:55,159 What were you thinking when you were lying there? 585 00:36:55,160 --> 00:36:57,439 When I was lying there, I was actually crying. 586 00:36:57,440 --> 00:37:01,439 They did ask me why I was crying, and I said, "Because I just don't want 587 00:37:01,720 --> 00:37:05,479 "you to make me look ugly. Whatever you do, don't make me look ugly." 588 00:37:05,480 --> 00:37:09,399 I didn't care about dying. I just worried about looking ugly. 589 00:37:09,400 --> 00:37:12,279 My mum was here last night, and the first thing she said, 590 00:37:12,280 --> 00:37:14,079 "You look like Michael Jackson." 591 00:37:14,080 --> 00:37:16,559 I said, "No, I don't, I look like Posh Spice." 592 00:37:16,560 --> 00:37:19,239 "No, you look like Michael Jackson." I went, "No, look." 593 00:37:19,240 --> 00:37:22,199 She went, "Michael Jackson. Look at the front." She was laughing. 594 00:37:22,200 --> 00:37:24,879 I think she was heartbroken, because she could see 595 00:37:24,880 --> 00:37:27,239 the bruises and everything. She said, "Is this 596 00:37:27,240 --> 00:37:29,359 "the last thing you're going to have done?" 597 00:37:29,360 --> 00:37:32,879 I said, "I was thinking about lipo." She went, "No, don't you dare!" 598 00:37:32,880 --> 00:37:36,639 She went, "Going under again? No." She didn't like it. 599 00:37:36,640 --> 00:37:40,039 But she thinks I look like Michael. 600 00:37:44,760 --> 00:37:48,639 For three days now, Tahira has been applying the cream she got from 601 00:37:48,640 --> 00:37:52,799 the clinic. It costs around 400. 602 00:37:52,800 --> 00:37:56,079 So far she feels there's no change. 603 00:37:56,280 --> 00:38:00,279 It's, um...foundation cream, basically. 604 00:38:00,840 --> 00:38:04,319 And you can feel it's drying inside, 605 00:38:04,320 --> 00:38:07,399 but a bit of stickiness outside. 606 00:38:07,400 --> 00:38:11,399 Apart from that, it's just like normal cream. 607 00:38:12,640 --> 00:38:16,939 It's only been three days, but I can't see any difference. 608 00:38:24,160 --> 00:38:28,079 Jet is also worried about the outcome of her procedure. 609 00:38:28,080 --> 00:38:30,079 Her face has swollen up. 610 00:38:30,080 --> 00:38:34,779 She's got blurred vision out of one eye, and she's on heavy painkillers. 611 00:38:36,800 --> 00:38:41,799 I am feeling very anxious about my nose. 612 00:38:42,360 --> 00:38:46,959 By the time the bandages come off, it could be completely different. 613 00:38:47,200 --> 00:38:50,199 And also, there's going to be scarring. 614 00:38:50,200 --> 00:38:54,199 And because of, obviously, being black, you get keloid scarring, 615 00:38:54,480 --> 00:38:58,479 which is scars that don't blend into your skin. They stay dark. 616 00:39:00,160 --> 00:39:02,279 I could have that. 617 00:39:02,280 --> 00:39:05,279 Anything could go wrong. 618 00:39:08,440 --> 00:39:12,279 It's been a week since Jet's nose operation. 619 00:39:12,280 --> 00:39:15,999 She's been stuck at home and is having trouble sleeping. 620 00:39:16,000 --> 00:39:18,879 I think it was, like, the second day I was, like... 621 00:39:18,880 --> 00:39:22,879 I looked in the mirror and I said to myself, "What have I done?" 622 00:39:23,920 --> 00:39:27,439 You know, my mum was heartbroken. 623 00:39:27,440 --> 00:39:31,439 We've all got the same nose in our family. 624 00:39:32,080 --> 00:39:36,079 Then I just couldn't stop being, like, negative about it all. 625 00:39:36,160 --> 00:39:39,399 Didn't have any tears left, but I was very negative about it. 626 00:39:39,400 --> 00:39:42,519 I said, "Why am I doing this? I was beautiful before. 627 00:39:42,520 --> 00:39:44,559 "My family nose... 628 00:39:44,560 --> 00:39:48,559 "Why have I cut my nose off?" 629 00:39:50,040 --> 00:39:52,679 Why the fuck have I got to change my looks, 630 00:39:52,680 --> 00:39:54,639 my nose that I've been born with - 631 00:39:54,640 --> 00:39:58,639 and actually, I was quite beautiful the way I was before - 632 00:39:58,920 --> 00:40:02,919 just to fit in with a European society - it's fucking appalling! 633 00:40:10,760 --> 00:40:14,519 The next morning, Jet is in a better mood. 634 00:40:14,520 --> 00:40:18,519 Today she will have her cast removed at a London clinic. 635 00:40:19,800 --> 00:40:21,999 I just don't want you to make me look ugly. 636 00:40:22,000 --> 00:40:25,999 Whatever you do, don't make me look ugly. 637 00:40:32,160 --> 00:40:35,719 You've got your new nose and you've had a bandages taken off. 638 00:40:35,720 --> 00:40:37,559 How do you feel? 639 00:40:37,560 --> 00:40:40,119 I'm really happy! I can't smile yet 640 00:40:40,120 --> 00:40:43,559 cos I've still got a few stitches inside the nose. 641 00:40:43,560 --> 00:40:46,199 I'm over the moon with my nose. I feel prettier. 642 00:40:46,200 --> 00:40:50,199 I don't feel conscious of my big, black nose that I had before. 643 00:40:50,600 --> 00:40:53,079 Before, I felt I had a joker's nose. 644 00:40:53,080 --> 00:40:55,839 You know when they have the clowns that wear glasses 645 00:40:55,840 --> 00:40:58,199 and they've got this big nose at the end of it? 646 00:40:58,200 --> 00:41:01,959 That's how my nose was before, that's how I feel like it was. 647 00:41:01,960 --> 00:41:04,959 But it's much better now. 648 00:41:14,360 --> 00:41:17,959 Six weeks ago, Tahira was given a treatment she hoped 649 00:41:17,960 --> 00:41:21,959 would lighten her skin and change her life. 650 00:41:22,520 --> 00:41:27,519 Every day she's been taking a photo of herself looking for any change. 651 00:41:31,080 --> 00:41:35,079 I've been using the cream for just over six weeks now. 652 00:41:36,400 --> 00:41:39,079 I don't see any difference or... 653 00:41:39,080 --> 00:41:42,879 None of my family do. 654 00:41:42,880 --> 00:41:46,879 It still looks the same. 655 00:41:47,080 --> 00:41:51,079 Tahira's 12-year-old daughter finally confronts her mother 656 00:41:51,080 --> 00:41:53,519 over her obsession with skin lightening creams. 657 00:41:53,520 --> 00:41:57,079 I don't think you should keep doing this cos, like, 658 00:41:57,080 --> 00:42:01,079 this treatment is taking ages. There's no point wasting this time. 659 00:42:01,480 --> 00:42:04,119 You should just move on and ignore what people say. 660 00:42:04,120 --> 00:42:06,239 Colour isn't everything. 661 00:42:06,240 --> 00:42:08,639 Yeah, but it is to people. 662 00:42:08,640 --> 00:42:10,079 Yeah, that's people. 663 00:42:10,080 --> 00:42:12,239 Yeah, people, that's important! 664 00:42:12,240 --> 00:42:15,199 They like you because you are fair and beautiful... 665 00:42:15,200 --> 00:42:18,879 But I can see in their face - "Why don't you get your teeth fixed 666 00:42:18,880 --> 00:42:20,479 "or get a nose job?" 667 00:42:20,480 --> 00:42:22,839 Because I'm not that type of person. 668 00:42:22,840 --> 00:42:24,719 They shouldn't talk to you like that, should they? 669 00:42:24,720 --> 00:42:27,399 But they will because I have a problem. 670 00:42:27,400 --> 00:42:29,399 My skin colour is my problem. 671 00:42:29,400 --> 00:42:32,399 People will talk about it, you can't stop them. 672 00:42:32,400 --> 00:42:36,399 How many people are you going to stop? 673 00:42:39,120 --> 00:42:42,399 Mun is still waiting for his surgeon to give him the go-ahead 674 00:42:42,400 --> 00:42:44,119 for his operation. 675 00:42:44,120 --> 00:42:46,879 Although he is frustrated it's taking a long time, 676 00:42:46,880 --> 00:42:51,479 he knows he will eventually achieve that European look and draws comfort 677 00:42:51,560 --> 00:42:54,199 from a 21st century icon. 678 00:42:54,200 --> 00:42:57,759 I adored Michael Jackson, it's such a shame that he passed on. 679 00:42:57,760 --> 00:43:01,439 Looking at what he's achieved in his life, he is a legend 680 00:43:01,440 --> 00:43:04,079 and he'll be remembered for years and years. 681 00:43:04,080 --> 00:43:08,679 I think he done a great thing and he opened the window, 682 00:43:08,880 --> 00:43:12,239 the doors to everybody for surgery. 683 00:43:12,240 --> 00:43:16,239 It's available to everybody. If you're not happy with a black nose 684 00:43:16,280 --> 00:43:19,279 or an Asian nose, you can transform it. 685 00:43:24,200 --> 00:43:27,519 Tahira's family has finally given up trying to stop her 686 00:43:27,520 --> 00:43:31,399 using skin lightening creams. 687 00:43:31,400 --> 00:43:34,679 When I see my mum upset, it does upset me at times. 688 00:43:34,680 --> 00:43:37,519 But a lot of the time I just try to ignore it 689 00:43:37,520 --> 00:43:39,439 cos I know she's going to get upset. 690 00:43:39,440 --> 00:43:44,439 What do you think if your mum just says, "I'm going to carry on and keep going and keep going?" 691 00:43:45,400 --> 00:43:48,639 It's up to my mum that she wants to carry on, 692 00:43:48,640 --> 00:43:51,639 but it's up to her, really. 693 00:43:52,760 --> 00:43:56,519 Reluctantly, her daughter is now helping her to find new products 694 00:43:56,520 --> 00:43:59,359 around the world. 695 00:43:59,360 --> 00:44:01,599 'I don't think I'll ever stop...' 696 00:44:01,600 --> 00:44:04,639 dreaming that I'll be a white one day. 697 00:44:04,640 --> 00:44:08,939 I'd always have that in my head that maybe one day, one morning, 698 00:44:09,640 --> 00:44:12,719 I'll get up and see myself... 699 00:44:12,720 --> 00:44:14,839 Even a bit of white. 700 00:44:14,840 --> 00:44:19,839 But I don't think I'll ever stop thinking or dreaming of being white. 701 00:44:21,480 --> 00:44:25,399 If I have to stop using products... 702 00:44:25,400 --> 00:44:29,399 OK, but no-one can take your dreams away, can they? 703 00:44:33,440 --> 00:44:37,839 For most of her life, Jet has struggled with her Caribbean nose. 704 00:44:38,440 --> 00:44:42,439 But she now feels she has a face that matches her ambitions. 705 00:44:43,260 --> 00:44:47,759 My nose that I had before definitely made me look like... 706 00:44:48,600 --> 00:44:50,239 I was poor. 707 00:44:50,240 --> 00:44:52,919 It didn't make me look rich. 708 00:44:52,920 --> 00:44:56,119 And now I feel better... 709 00:44:56,120 --> 00:44:58,079 I feel confident. 710 00:44:58,080 --> 00:45:02,079 I feel wealthier automatically for some reason. 711 00:45:03,600 --> 00:45:07,599 I've had to work very hard to look this good. 712 00:45:07,800 --> 00:45:10,839 Not everyone is born with a silver spoon in their mouth 713 00:45:10,840 --> 00:45:13,519 like they have round here. 714 00:45:14,520 --> 00:45:18,519 People have given me a lot more respect now since I had my nose done. 715 00:45:19,040 --> 00:45:25,039 And, you know...it's definitely boosted my confidence. Definitely. 716 00:45:26,600 --> 00:45:28,959 I'm very happy. I can walk into Waitrose. 717 00:45:28,960 --> 00:45:33,959 I think I can walk down this street now with my head held up high. 718 00:45:39,240 --> 00:45:42,919 Michael Jackson's facial transformation was the most 719 00:45:42,920 --> 00:45:46,679 extraordinary example of someone wanting to change their race. 720 00:45:46,680 --> 00:45:50,319 At the time, it was shrouded in secrecy. 721 00:45:50,320 --> 00:45:53,759 But today, this form of plastic surgery 722 00:45:53,760 --> 00:45:56,999 has become far more acceptable. 723 00:45:57,000 --> 00:45:59,359 I understand the patients 724 00:45:59,460 --> 00:46:02,479 coming from ethnic minorities 725 00:46:02,480 --> 00:46:07,479 requesting for changing their body image or facial features 726 00:46:08,440 --> 00:46:10,919 so that they can blend well 727 00:46:10,920 --> 00:46:14,919 with white, local, Causcasian society. 728 00:46:16,360 --> 00:46:18,199 It is a part... 729 00:46:18,200 --> 00:46:20,919 of globalisation process, 730 00:46:20,920 --> 00:46:23,639 where the ethnic differences 731 00:46:23,640 --> 00:46:27,639 are going to be narrower and narrower. 732 00:46:30,040 --> 00:46:33,759 As long as white ideals of beauty dominate global culture, 733 00:46:33,760 --> 00:46:37,759 many will feel the pressure to alter their ethnic features. 734 00:46:41,120 --> 00:46:45,019 With technology opening new surgical frontiers, 735 00:46:45,120 --> 00:46:49,119 de-racialisation will become that much easier. 736 00:46:51,920 --> 00:46:55,359 Are we all heading for the same homogenised look - 737 00:46:55,360 --> 00:46:59,359 the perfect white body?