Is using a sun umbrella linked to racial bias?
PARASOLS, or sun umbrellas, have long been a summer necessity in several Asian countries. It is easy to spot both men and women holding them over their heads in the streets of South Korea and Japan, to shield against the sunlight and strong UV rays.
However, a viral TikTok video claiming that the widespread use of such sunshades in Asia stems from underlying 'white supremacy' has stirred controversy and sparked heated debates over whether the issue is about racism or health.
In the video, titled 'Asians afraid of being dark', the TikToker questions why parasols are so popular in Asian countries. 'Someone needs to explain to me why Asians are so afraid of the sun,' she said.
'I promise you it's not that bad if you go a little darker ... A few minutes in the sun won't make your skin that dark.'
She then went on to imply that the fear of darker skin tones among Asians is linked to the bias of 'white supremacy', suggesting that such aversion stems from internalised ideals of lighter skin as superior.
The video has garnered over 600,000 views and more than 6,200 comments, many of which strongly push back against the assertion. One commenter wrote, 'I get headaches from just a short time in the sun. I don't care about getting darker. I just don't want to pass out in the street.'
Another user asked, 'If I get skin cancer, are you going to pay my hospital bills?' Others called out the oversimplification of health-conscious behaviour as racial bias. 'Avoiding sunburn and skin cancer is not white supremacy.'
Experts have weighed in as well, emphasising that UV umbrellas can be vital tools for sun protection, especially during record-breaking heat waves and intense ultraviolet radiation.
Dermatologists note that parasols can help prevent sunburn, premature ageing, sunspots, and even hair loss by shielding areas such as the face, neck, and scalp from direct sunlight.
Science supports these claims: according to a joint study by the Seoul Institute and Japan's Environment Ministry, the use of parasols can lower the perceived temperature by up to 10°C. By blocking direct rays and diffusing radiant heat, parasols create a shaded microclimate, reducing the risk of heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke.
Sunshades also offer eye protection by minimising glare and reducing the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can also contribute to skin ageing and, in severe cases, skin cancer.
Proper parasol selection is key. Experts recommend choosing umbrellas with a white outer layer to reflect light and a dark-coated inner layer to absorb residual rays. Like sunscreen, their effectiveness wanes over time; parasols should be replaced every two to three years or when the UV coating deteriorates.
As summer heat intensifies, more people are relying on parasols for protection. Sales data from major Korean department stores also show a sharp rise in parasol purchases. From July 1 to 29, South Korean retail company Shinsegae reported a 44.3% increase in sunshade sales compared with the same period last year. Lotte and Hyundai department stores recorded jumps of 60%and 47% respectively.
Calling it an age-old solution to today's crippling heat problem, The Japan Times reported that Japan has surpassed every other nation in the world in its umbrella and parasol consum-ption, selling over 100 million annually.
Interestingly, even in the United States, where sunshades have traditionally been seen as niche accessories, parasols are gaining mainstream attention. The New York Post recently dubbed UV umbrellas the 'hottest summer trend', reporting that many Americans are turning to them for relief in increasingly oppressive weather. — The Korea Herald/Asia News Network
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Culture clash: Captured images of a tiktok video in which a user claims that using a UV umbrella is linked to white supremacy. — TikTok PARASOLS, or sun umbrellas, have long been a summer necessity in several Asian countries. It is easy to spot both men and women holding them over their heads in the streets of South Korea and Japan, to shield against the sunlight and strong UV rays. However, a viral TikTok video claiming that the widespread use of such sunshades in Asia stems from underlying 'white supremacy' has stirred controversy and sparked heated debates over whether the issue is about racism or health. In the video, titled 'Asians afraid of being dark', the TikToker questions why parasols are so popular in Asian countries. 'Someone needs to explain to me why Asians are so afraid of the sun,' she said. 'I promise you it's not that bad if you go a little darker ... A few minutes in the sun won't make your skin that dark.' She then went on to imply that the fear of darker skin tones among Asians is linked to the bias of 'white supremacy', suggesting that such aversion stems from internalised ideals of lighter skin as superior. The video has garnered over 600,000 views and more than 6,200 comments, many of which strongly push back against the assertion. One commenter wrote, 'I get headaches from just a short time in the sun. I don't care about getting darker. I just don't want to pass out in the street.' Another user asked, 'If I get skin cancer, are you going to pay my hospital bills?' Others called out the oversimplification of health-conscious behaviour as racial bias. 'Avoiding sunburn and skin cancer is not white supremacy.' Experts have weighed in as well, emphasising that UV umbrellas can be vital tools for sun protection, especially during record-breaking heat waves and intense ultraviolet radiation. Dermatologists note that parasols can help prevent sunburn, premature ageing, sunspots, and even hair loss by shielding areas such as the face, neck, and scalp from direct sunlight. Science supports these claims: according to a joint study by the Seoul Institute and Japan's Environment Ministry, the use of parasols can lower the perceived temperature by up to 10°C. By blocking direct rays and diffusing radiant heat, parasols create a shaded microclimate, reducing the risk of heat-related illnesses such as heatstroke. Sunshades also offer eye protection by minimising glare and reducing the risk of cataracts and macular degeneration. Prolonged exposure to UV rays can also contribute to skin ageing and, in severe cases, skin cancer. Proper parasol selection is key. Experts recommend choosing umbrellas with a white outer layer to reflect light and a dark-coated inner layer to absorb residual rays. Like sunscreen, their effectiveness wanes over time; parasols should be replaced every two to three years or when the UV coating deteriorates. As summer heat intensifies, more people are relying on parasols for protection. Sales data from major Korean department stores also show a sharp rise in parasol purchases. From July 1 to 29, South Korean retail company Shinsegae reported a 44.3% increase in sunshade sales compared with the same period last year. Lotte and Hyundai department stores recorded jumps of 60%and 47% respectively. Calling it an age-old solution to today's crippling heat problem, The Japan Times reported that Japan has surpassed every other nation in the world in its umbrella and parasol consum-ption, selling over 100 million annually. Interestingly, even in the United States, where sunshades have traditionally been seen as niche accessories, parasols are gaining mainstream attention. The New York Post recently dubbed UV umbrellas the 'hottest summer trend', reporting that many Americans are turning to them for relief in increasingly oppressive weather. — The Korea Herald/Asia News Network
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The 3rd Opinion will be launched across multiple markets with educational resources, including a Lung Cancer Book of Answers in China, a patient empowerment video and various shared decision making tools across Asia Pacific to spark a social movement that encourages patients to confidently articulate their personal goals for treatment. The creation of a neologism, like The 3rd Opinion, ensures shared decision making becomes accepted into clinical practice and in turn fosters an environment where the doctor's expertise and the patient goals come together to design the best treatment plan. [1] Chee Khoon Lee et al. Navigating advanced lung cancer care, patient–physician alliance, cancer stigma, and psychosocial support in Asia-Pacific: perspectives from patients, caregivers, and physicians. DOI: 10.1080/14796694.2025.2499511 [2] Natia Jokhadze MD, Arunangshu Das MBBS, Don S. Dizon MD. Global cancer statistics 2022: GLOBOCAN estimates of incidence and mortality worldwide for 36 cancers in 185 countries. Volume 74Issue 3CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians pages: 224-226 First Published online: April 4, 2024 [3] Keedy VL, et al. American Society of Clinical Oncology Provisional Clinical Opinion: Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) Mutation Testing for Patients with Advanced Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Considering First-Line EGFR Tyrosine Kinase Inhibitor Therapy. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2011; 29(15): 2121-2127. [4] Ellison G, et al. EGFR Mutation Testing in Lung Cancer: a Review of Available Methods and Their Use for Analysis of Tumour Tissue and Cytology Samples. Journal of Clinical Oncology. 2013; 66(2): 79-89. [5] Korpanty G, et al. Biomarkers That Currently Affect Clinical Practice in Lung Cancer: EGFR, ALK, MET, ROS-1, and KRAS. Frontiers in Oncology. 2014; 4: 204. [6] Bazhenova L, Minchom A, Viteri S, et al. Comparative clinical outcomes for patients with advanced NSCLC harboring EGFR exon 20 insertion mutations and common EGFR mutations. Lung Cancer. 2021;162:154-161. [7] Nieva J, Karia PS, Okhuoya P, et al. A real-world (rw) observational study of long-term survival (LTS) and treatment patterns after first-line (1L) osimertinib in patients (pts) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutation-positive (m) advanced non-small cell lung cancer [ESMO abstract 1344P]. Ann Oncol. 2023;34(suppl 2):S774 [8] Lee JY, Mai V, Garcia M, et al. Treatment patterns and outcomes of first-line osimertinib-treated advanced EGFR mutated NSCLC patients: a real-world study [IASLC abstract EP08.02-082]. Presented at: IASLC 2022 World Lung Conference on Lung Cancer; August 6-9, 2022; Vienna, Austria. [9] Girard N, Leighl NB, Ohe Y, et al. Mortality among EGFR-mutated advanced NSCLC patients after starting frontline osimertinib treatment: a real-world, US attrition analysis. Presented at: the European Lung Cancer Congress; March 29-April 1, 2023; Copenhagen, Denmark. Poster 19P.
