...Colorism is a social issue that deeply burdens many African Americans today. Many who have researched the affects that it has within the community have all came to the same conclusion that "Once colorism lodges in individual African consciousness, the affected person is literally psychologically misoriented"(Azibo). This belief system is lodged in the African American people at a young age, so from the beginning their self worth is tainted by society. For example, when I was a young girl growing up in a predominately Caucasian environment I was told that I wasn't "attractive" because I did not have straight long hair, and pretty blue eyes. Because of things like this it is "imperative to know just where colorism comes from for optimal combat of it in schools, practice, and community"(Azibo). However, there has been new research that has been found that refutes the issue of colorism between specifically lighter skins being more favorable than those with darker skinned African Americans. Some now argue that it is actually less desirable to be lighter skinned, rather than dark skinned. Meaning that having a lighter tone can be seen with a negative connotation. Regardless of what is heard in the media there are many dark women who are extremely proud of their complexity, As Zora Hurston states "I am not tragically colored. There is no great sorrow dammed up in my soul, nor lurking behind my eyes. I do not mind at all". She is proud of her skin and who she is within it. There are many...
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...One in two Filipino women are users of skin whitening products. This is what marketing research company Synovate claimed in 2004 (Spickard and Rondilla 79). Ten years later, a documentary entitled ‘Dark Girls’ came out with interviews from dark skinned people of different ages, talking about the pursuit for lighter skin. One interviewee gave his opinion on African women’s desire for lighter complexion, going on to say: […] most of the women wants [sic] to have, cause what they see on TV over there, lighter skinned women with nice hair and all of that stuff-so some of them want, want to be like that, so that’s why, some of them bleach their skin, cause they think the lighter their skin is, the [more] chances they have to actually one day be on TV, or get noticed by people, so they think bleaching their skin or lighter skin, is much, much better than dark skin. (Duke and Chansin) The issue being described is not only present among those belonging to African-American community (Herring 3), but the Filipino, and general Asian community as well (Dychiu 87). Given this, mass media should use its influence to help lessen instead of perpetuate occurrences of colorism in Philippine society. In order to have a clearer understanding of mass media, it must first be defined. By definition, a medium is a form of disemminating knowledge, and a mass is a large amount of people. Put together, mass media is a term that covers different forms of communicating knowledge and information to...
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...Privilege and Colorism SOC 262 White Privilege and Colorism White privilege is a term that is used to refer to white people in America’s advantage over groups of people of color. It is said that whites have a bigger advantage, and many more perks over someone that is a non-white. White privilege makes a critical preference for white people and denies opportunities for people of color. Colorism is a form of discrimination that is based on the complexion of darker skinned Individuals, despite being of the same race (Banks, T. L., 1999). Colorism is giving privileges to lighter-skinned people of color in many different areas, such as income, education and marriage (Hunter, M., 2007). During the time of slavery, slave drivers would allow the slaves with a lighter complexion to work inside the home and live a more comfortable life. Those with darker skin complexion would work on the farms. Even today darker skinned individuals feel they are scrutinized because their skin is a darker complexion. My personal experiences of white privilege have been far and few. I sometimes find it easier to bond with individuals that are not of my own skin color. This may be a result of the environment I grew up in., which was a very diverse neighborhood. However, there have been a few situations where I have noticed I may be getting “white privilege.” For example, I have never been harassed or followed by any type of law enforcement based on the color of my skin. I have seen...
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...What if all African Americans were the same skin complexion? What if we never used the terms light or dark skin? What if we did not judge or imply that darker skin black people are less desirable? That Obama though qualified to run; he is “the right shade” to be president, he passed the “paper bag test”. Basically, what if we never experienced any form of colorism. The term black people are used in systems of racial classification for humans of a dark skinned phenotype, relative to other racial groups. Different societies apply different criteria regarding who is classified as “black”. The worst classification and the greatest divide with in the African American culture has come through Colorism; light skin versus dark, a form of discrimination within one’s own ethnic groups. Colorism is a term to describe prejudice or discrimination in which human beings are treated different social treatment based on skin color. It is in almost every race, but it is more predominant in the African American culture within the United States. Discrimination within and outside African American’s dates back to slavery and is still happening now more than ever. We have been brain washed through generations, teachings, peers, parents and the media. The light vs. dark topic has been apparent since the time of slavery, but its problems and consequences are still very evident. During the time of slavery African Americans were not only segregated with white people they were also segregated within their...
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...Colorism: The present reality and its continuing impact on the Black community Purpose Statement/Theses To bring awareness of “Colorsim” to the community and educators of young black Americans; this practice of self oppression within the black community is often overlooked and is an internal form of racism causing continued hindrance to progression of the black community in society. Statement of Qualification: This topic wasn’t as important to me until I watched the episode on CNN titled “Who is Black in America?” by Soledad O’Brien. I am a dark skinned black man married to a white woman, we have three bi-racial children; one son age three and two girls ages eight and five. I grew up in Alabama where race is always an issue and colorsim as it is defined is normal in the black community. It never seemed as important to me until watching the episode and reflecting on how it will and may already impact my children and their future. Tentative Argument: Colorism is based on the skin tone rather than actual racial or ethnic identity. This practice developed during slavery as a method to place a value on ones skin tone. The use of colorsim set an internal superiority amongst slaves [ (Hunter, 2007) ]. This practice has carried on through generations and is learned by young black adolescents. The practice of colorsim favors lighter skin over darker skin [ (International Encyclopedia of Social Sciences, 2012) ]. Colorism is a common setback within the black community...
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...A Study of Skin Color Preferences on Indian Matrimonial and Mate-Seeking Websites Sonora Jha Seattle University Mara Adelman Seattle University Abstract A preference for light skinned females is a global bias that affects all areas of human relationships, especially in marital mate selection. Further intensified by the meteoric rise in Internet dating and mate selection, this bias often serves an invalidating function for darker-skinned women. This study (1) analyzed ‘profiles’ and ‘preferences’ of brides and grooms (N=200), and (2) coded ‘success story wedding photos’ (N=200) posted on four Indian matrimonial websites. Results showed an overwhelming bias among males for brides lighter-skinned than themselves. Males were also more likely than females to state a preference for skin color in their prospective brides, and to use qualitative words like ‘beautiful’ and ‘lovely’ to describe their preferred match. Most significantly, the ‘success story’ wedding photos consistently had lighter-skinned brides than grooms. Darkskinned women were almost non-existent in these ‘success stories.’ This research points to a technology-abetted intensification of colorism. That is to say that the powerful profile ‘menu’ options and the visual imagery of predominantly lightskinned, ‘successful’ brides illustrated on current websites visually reinforce the invalidation of dark skinned women. Keywords Internet matchmaking Colorism Indian marriage market Technology and women Skin Color Introduction ...
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...Bangladesh 2012 Abstract Analyzing news reports and primary researches conducted, this study develops and signifies the theory of colorism among dark-skinned Asians and Africans. The data has been accumulated through news media all over the world which reconfirms the perilous effects of colorism and the prejudice and discrimination associated with it. Colorism is distinct from racism but it does overlaps at a certain stage. While racism is an inter-ethnic issue, colorism easily flourishes in a friendly intra-ethnic environment. The paper also digs into the post-colonial impact on colorism and the role of contemporary media’s representation of colored people through advertising and its amalgamation with the popular culture of countries with large colored population and capitalistic means of keeping the bias alive which amounts to roughly $18 billion industry. In the United States of America, it is evident that the practice is also a common thing among American Muslims comparable to the American African communities who rarely intermarries through racial lines. Recently, intra-ethnic employment discrimination has also caught some attention in the Arrocha v CUNY court case. According to a Newsweek report, International fashion world still prefers whiter models. The impacts of colorism normally results into discriminatory behavior and prejudices. Colorism, also forms prejudices about lighter skinned and white people, as they are seen as more intelligent and richer. Anglo-Indians faces...
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...Colorism A subject that is very fascinating to me is the colorism debate among African-Americans. The “light vs. dark” dispute within the African American population is widespread. If someone were to Google the phrase "light skin vs. dark skin" they would find more than a thousand results to look through. This is because the issue of skin color is still a big issue within the black race because in the times of slavery black people were treated differently according to their skin color. The roots of this kind of bigotry run deep throughout the country. African Americans see colorism all the time in the media, their workplace and even in schools but have learned to accept it. This way of thinking began in the time of slavery; skin color has been used as a means of division and special treatment within the black community. It’s common knowledge that slave masters separated their slaves in order to control them and reduce chances of an uprising. One of the main aspects of that separation was turning the slaves against each other based on skin tone. The house slaves were usually light- complexioned and were more likely to receive the special favor of doing work inside the house instead of out in the hot sun. Slaves with darker skin were usually stuck with backbreaking work in the fields. To guarantee the division of the races, it was a well-known law that if a person had 'one drop' of black blood in their bloodline they were considered to be black. As a result, this...
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...------------------------------------------------- COLORISM WURAOLA, MUHAMMED June 29, 2014 iNFORMATIVE SPEECH SPEECH 103 June 29, 2014 iNFORMATIVE SPEECH SPEECH 103 COLORISM I will inform the audience about colorism and the effect it has on African Americans today. I will discuss when and how colorism started, and how it affects the way you feel about yourself and the way you live your life. “If you’re black, stay back; if you’re brown, stick around; if you’re yellow, you’re mellow; if you’re white, you’re all right.” This is an old nursery rhyme sung by kids. These days you would probably see the same idea being expressed by African Americans themselves. There is only one ethnic group that acts as if light and dark skinned are two different nationalities. Which ethnic group, you ask. African-Americans. Colorism refers to discrimination based on skin color. Colorism disadvantages dark-skinned people, while privileging those with lighter skin. I have also experienced colorism. People of my own race, especially the men will treat you differently just based on the color of your skin, and I also used to wish I was lighter. This topic may relate to you because colorism may exist in other cultures too, like Vietnam and India. I will discuss when and how colorism started, and how it affects the way you feel about yourself and the way you live your life. This brings us to how colorism started. A man name Will Lynch, a British slave owner gave a speech at the Virginia colony...
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...During the late 20’s, the NAACP and the Universal Negro Improvement Association competed for “the position of the premier African-American advocacy group”(Ware). In 1931, Marcus Garvey, the dark-skinned head of the Universal Negro Improvement Organization, accused W.E.B. Dubois’s NAACP of practicing colorism: It is no wonder that Du Bois seeks the company of white people, because he hates black as being ugly. Yet this professor, who sees ugliness in being black, essays to be a leader of the Negro people and has been trying for over fourteen years to deceive them through his connection with the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. Now what does he mean by advancing colored people if he hates black so much? (Ware). Dubois denied these claims, but his organizations’ actions seemingly verify Garvey’s claims. Crisis featured predominantly elite light skinned women. The NAACP appealed to the elite and educated, which were primarily light skinned blacks. In contrast, Garvey’s movement appealed to the masses; he uplifted the...
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...Woman in ballet have to adhere to strict standards of Eurocentric beauty, but black women face a barrier to entry based on the racialized notions of the black feminine body. Black people in ballet do not share a common experience, as black men have an easier time gaining significant opportunities based on the role of the male dancer’s function in ballet. Furthermore, black women have to deal with colorism in ballet; a phenomenon that does not happen to the same extent with their male counterparts. While ballet companies are attempting to move away from traditional norms, the lack of black women in significant roles, whether it be as dancer, teachers, and other positions within the institution, is a crucial issue that needs to be corrected. With more representation of black women in ballet, young girls in grassroot programs will have role models to encourage them to further their dance careers. Overall, black women have talent that is being ignored due to dated standards of beauty, but by becoming aware of the treatment of black women in the ballet community and instilling change, a new and inclusive standard of beauty can shine on the...
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...Bill Duke, and Channsin Berry in 2011 in the U.S, and remote countries such as Ghana, Senegal, and South Africa (Duke& Berry, 2011). Duke got the idea for “Dark girls” when an incident occurred with one of his friend’s 10-year old daughter. “In the incident, the 10-year old young girl was in tears because a classmate didn’t care for her chocolate skin tone, and the worst of all, she was called a monkey” (Carter, 2011). After that particular incident, the project for “Dark girls” began. In the documentary, Duke& Berry wanted to explore the deep biased attitudes of skin color, predominantly dark skinned women that are within, and outside of the American culture. Furthermore, they hoped to deliver messages...
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... Gifted, and Black: Identity, Sexuality, and Black Girls,” is focused around the stigmas that society has placed on African American women and their perceptions of themselves and self beauty. It goes into depth to analyze how certain interactions and encounters shape how African American females develop and how they identify sexually. In the research, it talks about what a Jezebel is, and it is identified as a light skinned woman with long hair, who is perceived as “seductive, manipulative, and unable to control her sexual drives” (Townsend 274). Then they go on to identify who Mammy is, who is unattractive and obese and of a darker complexion. Both of these images were that which were projected onto women of African American descent, by the media and the European culture. This created an idea of “colorism”, and it made things that were of a lighter skin, or closer to their Caucasian and Latina counterparts to seem more accepted. It goes on to speak about how stereotypes have negatively affected the development and actions of African American women of all ages, from Jezebel all the way to the modern, do it all super woman, essentially being the single woman. The connection between childhood sexual abuse and the likelihood of continued victimization and sexual exploitation is also explored. The research goes into detail to see what is affecting the ways that African American females are looking at themselves. For instance, they value intelligence and it plays a role within their...
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...Don’t be fooled; white men and women are not the only offenders. Many in our own community have adopted these anti-black attitudes as a side effect of living in a country based on systemic racism. As aforementioned, I didn’t feel quite welcomed by other black girls during elementary school. At first, I wasn’t bothered by it since my school was predominately white. However, 6th grade was a rude awakening. My new middle school was in the center of a black community, meaning that the school itself was predominately black. All year long, I felt uncomfortable in my own skin, and felt as if I was some type of a fraud. That did not keep me from making friends, but even those closest to you can harbor ignorant falsehoods. One day, a friend blatantly proclaimed that I was an ”oreo”. No one had to tell what me what that meant; it was painfully obvious. Whether it was because of the way I talked or because of what music I listened to, it certainly wasn’t “black”. The funniest (or not) thing is that same friend despised the other black girls in our grade, and referred to them as “ghetto”. Let’s explore the etymology of this overused word. Ghetto originally meant “a part of a city where Jews are compelled to live.” To put simply, Ghettos were a result of anti-semitism. So, how did this word lose its meaning? Back in...
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...Haitian man, Decartés Gousse a dark-skinned Haitian man; she said “if he was a lighter skinned or looked like me it wouldn’t have been a problem but because he was a dark skinned Haitian man ‘diablo negro’ (black devil in Spanish) it was a serious problem”, she later left Dominican Republic and married him living in Saint-Marc, Haiti where they lived until their passing. This form of segregation was sadly apparent back then and still is to this very day, the darker the skin the lesser value of the person was very apparent in Dominican Republic, it was a form of disrespect if a fair-skinned or olive-skinned Dominican person was to date someone who was darker than they was. In today’s society it’s still apparent today, imagine telling a Dominican person who is of a dark skin complexion they are also of African descent, some will deny it and some will possibly agree. This form of color discrimination is deeply rooted in Hispaniola, for beauty those of fairer skin is deemed much more beautiful than someone who is of a darker skin complexion, Dominicans used this form of modern day “paper bag test” to deem if someone is of full Dominican descent or they are just Haitian. In New York City, where there is a big population of Dominicans and Haitians, the lessons their ancestors instilled in them is very apparent with the young people of today (18-25), say a young Dominican-American woman was to bring home a dark skinned man of non-Latino descent, the grandparent would reprimand that woman...
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