Netflix's Indian Matchmaking Is Great, But Colorism Isn't | The Odyssey Online
Start writing a post
Lifestyle

I Loved Netflix's 'Indian Matchmaking,' But As A Black Woman, It Poses BIG Colorism Issues

Now, I'm a little obsessed!

4337
I Loved Netflix's 'Indian Matchmaking,' But As A Black Woman, It Poses BIG Colorism Issues
Netflix

As a college student (really as a broke person with no cable,) Netflix is my go-to for solitude- style entertainment. My favorite types of shows to watch on Netflix by far, are dating shows.

Typically, I live for the dramatic, heavily scripted narrative that matchmaking shows reflect because it gives me a sense of escapism from my very very single life (did I mention I am single?).

But on a whim as the self-proclaimed show critic I am, I took a chance and watched "Indian Matchmaker" on Netflix, and not going to lie, I am obsessed!

This was everything that a person could want in an actual matchmaking series, but it gave so much more.

The show follows three peoples' journey to finding a partner that will ultimately be their husband/wife. It centers around the all-star matchmaker SIma, who works with clients to find their spouse that will not only please them but be right by divine order.

At 19, Sima herself was in an arranged marriage which now 36 years later is still going strong.

Sima is a mix between your favorite auntie, a fairy godmother, and Jo Frost from Supernanny.

She's nothing like the diluted therapists from other matchmaking shows who put people together for marriage because "they both like funny people," but instead leans into Indian tradition and Hindu religion to make the correct match.

Her work is serious, and in watching the show I learned so much about the importance and reasons for arranged marriages.

The reasons involve bringing families together, building wealth, and keeping certain traditions alive for generations.

Sima talks to the parents of her clients, face readers who give her astrological predictions and has a bio data set that her clients can choose from to find a spouse.

While Sima is entertaining enough to watch, the clients are too, because they are so lax and relatable. Some aren't ready to get married, some want a spouse who will be their ride or die, and some want people who are career-oriented like them.

I felt like I was right there when the clients went on their first dates; blushing when they got a compliment, and feeling second-hand embarrassment from their failed dates.

Although I love what Sima brings to the screen as an educated Indian Matchmaker, I don't appreciate her colorism.

On the show, the matchmaker makes countless remarks complimenting her clients' lighter skin color, saying how their "fair skin" will make them a lot more appealing to their potential spouses.

Being an African American, dark-skinned woman myself, I'm not unfamiliar with the colorist views that exist in India.

While I was turned off that Netflix would allow those views to be included, I think it's important that they did because it shows that India needs to do more work in debasing these biased racial stereotypes.

While it's important to know Indian ideals about fair-skinned people being beautiful and inherently good need to stop, the show did reflect how much Indian ideals on women's rights have shifted.

For example, I was shocked when I saw how much the show focused on giving its women clients choice in their arranged proposals, by choosing ambitious, self-sufficient, Indian women with entrepreneurial spirits.

One of the clients on the show, Aparna, is a wealthy lawyer with three degrees who wants nothing less than a man who fits her expectations and more.

It was utterly surprising to see a woman like Aparna on the show because it contrasted the beliefs about submissive Indian women only choosing to undergo planned marriages.

Overall, Indian Matchmaker married Indian culture with the idea of finding love and showcased it to viewers who otherwise wouldn't have learned about arranged marriages in that light.

With all the work I saw Sima do, I just have one question: Where can I sign up?

Report this Content
Featured

15 Mind-Bending Riddles

Hopefully they will make you laugh.

188096
 Ilistrated image of the planet and images of questions
StableDiffusion

I've been super busy lately with school work, studying, etc. Besides the fact that I do nothing but AP chemistry and AP economics, I constantly think of stupid questions that are almost impossible to answer. So, maybe you could answer them for me, and if not then we can both wonder what the answers to these 15 questions could be.

Keep Reading...Show less
Entertainment

Most Epic Aurora Borealis Photos: October 2024

As if May wasn't enough, a truly spectacular Northern Lights show lit up the sky on Oct. 10, 2024

13582
stunning aurora borealis display over a forest of trees and lake
StableDiffusion

From sea to shining sea, the United States was uniquely positioned for an incredible Aurora Borealis display on Thursday, Oct. 10, 2024, going into Friday, Oct. 11.

It was the second time this year after an historic geomagnetic storm in May 2024. Those Northern Lights were visible in Europe and North America, just like this latest rendition.

Keep Reading...Show less
 silhouette of a woman on the beach at sunrise
StableDiffusion

Content warning: This article contains descriptions of suicide/suicidal thoughts.

When you are feeling down, please know that there are many reasons to keep living.

Keep Reading...Show less
Relationships

Power of Love Letters

I don't think I say it enough...

456865
Illistrated image of a letter with 2 red hearts
StableDiffusion

To My Loving Boyfriend,

  • Thank you for all that you do for me
  • Thank you for working through disagreements with me
  • Thank you for always supporting me
  • I appreciate you more than words can express
  • You have helped me grow and become a better person
  • I can't wait to see where life takes us next
  • I promise to cherish every moment with you
  • Thank you for being my best friend and confidante
  • I love you and everything you do

To start off, here's something I don't say nearly enough: thank you. Thank you, thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart. You do so much for me that I can't even put into words how much I appreciate everything you do - and have done - for me over the course of our relationship so far. While every couple has their fair share of tiffs and disagreements, thank you for getting through all of them with me and making us a better couple at the other end. With any argument, we don't just throw in the towel and say we're done, but we work towards a solution that puts us in a greater place each day. Thank you for always working with me and never giving up on us.

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

11 Signs You Grew Up In Hauppauge, NY

Because no one ever really leaves.

26028
Map of Hauppauge, New York
Google

Ah, yes, good old Hauppauge. We are that town in the dead center of Long Island that barely anyone knows how to pronounce unless they're from the town itself or live in a nearby area. Hauppauge is home to people of all kinds. We always have new families joining the community but honestly, the majority of the town is filled with people who never leave (high school alumni) and elders who have raised their kids here. Around the town, there are some just some landmarks and places that only the people of Hauppauge will ever understand the importance or even the annoyance of.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments