Sometimes I think we are drawn to features that "surprise" us. Like if we find a BIPOC person with green eyes, that's surprising and "rare" and we ascribe value to that. Same with a white person with typically BIPOC features.

But I don't doubt racism has to do with it too. You're right—things that seemed uncool on BIPOC are now cool when white people do it. This irks me as a person of colour.

I am of East Asian descent and sometimes Asian elders will compliment me on having "big" eyes. Big eyes and pale skin are desired in East Asian culture. I'm sure white supremacy has had an effect on this, but historically, pale skin also suggested aristocracy (if you don't work in the fields you won't get tanned), so it's a multi-faceted thing.

Still doesn't mean we should propagate it today, though, by using skin whiteners and such. People should be proud of their natural, god-given features :)