What Is Racial Reassignment Surgery?
Racial reassignment surgery is a form of cosmetic enhancement wherein a person changes the color of their skin. The practice has become more common in recent years, with Asian-Americans, Hispanics, and African-Americans all reportedly undergoing the procedure.
In racial reassignment surgery, a patient’s skin is changed to appear darker or lighter than their actual race to fit their new desired identity. While this may seem to be a harmless practice, it has several underlying issues.
First, the practice of racial reassignment is not merely a cosmetic enhancement but a psychological one. In fact, many people who undergo this type of surgery do not consider themselves to be black or white but rather feel that they are a part of another racial group. It is this very idea that is the basis of the novel Your Face in Mine, by Jess Row.
A man, Martin Lipkin (now called Martin Wilkinson), has a revelation that he is a black man inside of a white body and decides to undergo racial reassignment to be black again. The book follows his journey as he undergoes the surgery, and then lives as a black man in Baltimore while trying to figure out why he decided to change his skin color.
During the course of his story, Row explores the social implications and cultural impact of this practice. In particular, she points to the importance of racial diversity as a core issue in this culture.
She also argues that plastic surgery is a means to defy societal standards of beauty, and in doing so, can help to reshape identities and cultures. However, she notes that these types of procedures have negative connotations in some cultures and are viewed as a tool to oppressive regimes.
It is a disturbing and troubling trend that is not limited to the United States, but has spread worldwide. In Thailand, plastic surgeons are routinely performing racial reassignment surgeries to alter their patients’ skin color. This is especially the case with eyelid surgery and other blepharoplasty techniques, which often have the effect of making people more Caucasian-looking.
There are many different reasons why people choose to have racial reassignment or other types of cosmetic enhancement. Some have a psychological need to change their skin color, while others are interested in achieving a more ideal body image.
A more common reason is a desire to reshape their own identity. For example, an individual with a Chinese background might wish to gain a more Caucasian appearance for work or to impress the women they love.
In addition, ethnic pride movements and the emergence of non-White identity groups are contributing to this increasing trend. This is because people are now more likely to have the resources to seek out cosmetic enhancements to suit their unique cultural and racial backgrounds.