Colorism
Colorism is a traditional term that is used to refer to differential treatment, discrimination, or prejudice against dark-skinned people from the same racial or ethnic background. Therefore, this terminology is important because it assists in demonstrating the fact that dark skin is what acts as the supreme bottom step in the hierarchy. As a result of that, it can be argued that the impacts of colorism based on prejudice end up posing psychological and structural obstacles for different ethnic groups, particularly concerning the differences that exist within a certain ethnic group (Chavez et al., 2013).
Colorism is a phenomenon that came to rise during the domination of the western colonial regime. During this time, distinctions based on individual skin tone particularly between African slaves was established and abused by their white masters. For instance, Mu slaves were given more preferences to execute household chores by their white masters while dark-skinned slaves were allowed to remain in the field. The reason for such differential treatment was to give them the opportunity to free themselves from the harsh climatic conditions of the plantations. Even though after the end of the western colonial era, the preferences for light skin slaves continued to dominate or thrive for black Americans (Kimberly, 2015).
Nonetheless, historical literature indicates that the context of colorism in Asia was also used as the basis for exercising prejudice to dark-skinned blacks. The reason underlying such differential treatment is because light-skinned individuals were perceived to be valuable commodities. Ideally, light-skinned people symbolized virtue, femininity, or female attractiveness. Furthermore, light-skinned people acted as a symbolic mark of social class. Because of that, it was easier for the community to draw a clear line that existed between elite classes (light-skinned people) from working classes (dark-skinned people or those that labored outside). Regardless of the fact that these events predate western interactions with African slaves, it is evident it was that contact that brought a huge influence of colorism in Asian. For instance, in North Africa and different parts of Asia, heavier weight and light-skinned was perceived to be symbols or markers for high social rankings and wealth.
In accordance with that, it evident that Native Americans, Europeans, and their offspring have also continued to embrace the fact that light-skinned children or individuals are the ones that have greater privileges or opportunities. In return, it has been found that such cultures or perceptions were also experienced in countries such as the Caribbean, South Africa, and India where importation of slaves furthered or promoted colorism (Kimberly, 2015).
Nevertheless, according to historical research, colorism or the preference to a particular skin tone has a huge impact on individual health outcomes, self-efficacy, life contentment, self-esteem, work opportunities, and so on. To date, the preference for light skin can be regarded as being a silent factor in the United States. The reason for that is because society has come to realize blacks with dark skin tones are treated and evaluated more negatively as compared to light-skinned blacks by both blacks and white. As a result of that, this explanation validates the fact that colorism can not only occur between people of the same race but also between races (Maxwell et al., 2015).
Additionally, the available pieces of evidence suggest that the issue of colorism is also gendered biased. The historical or traditional relationship that existed amongst individuals about what or to who is beautiful is one of the aspects that have greatly contributed towards colorism. For example, some parents, especially African-Americans might have show preferential treatment for children with light skin tone because of the internalized discriminations. Furthermore, due to the greater opportunities black parents anticipated to afford in the typical white community, light-skinned kids continued to be of more preference (Kimberly, 2015). In return, it is evident that this phenomenon has the propensity of infecting and affecting women more as compared to men.
On the other hand, as the modern cultural practice, the issue of colorism is what has continued to impact the wellbeing of various communities with complex and profound histories of racism, colonialism, or racial interbreeding. For example, as a result of a practice termed as whitewashing, entertainment industries have continued to embrace the issue of colorism. In several instances, white performers are selected to represent the role played by blacks during historical times. Likewise, light-skinned black people are chosen over dark-skinned counterparts to perform privileged duties while acting (Hannon, 2015). What this implies is the fact that biases towards skin color have continued to negatively impact contemporary society by affecting individual interactions and perceptions in profound and subtable ways.
Last but not least, color-conscious mockery or banter between individuals from the same race or different races aid in reflecting the unspoken and unconscious discrimination or prejudices that favor light skin people. As a result of that, this scenario assists in illustrating some of the differential cultural expectations that exist as a result of the external appearances of each person (Chavez et al., 2013). Regardless of that, people from the same or different races face diverse economic expectations, different education, or different realities because of colorism.
References
Chavez-Dueñas, N., Adames, H., & Organista, K. (2013). Skin-Color Prejudice and Within-Group Racial Discrimination. Hispanic Journal Of Behavioral Sciences, 36(1), 3-26. doi: 10.1177/0739986313511306
Hannon, L. (2015). White Colorism. Social Currents, 2(1), 13-21. doi: 10.1177/2329496514558628
Kimberly, J.N. (2015). "If You Is White, You’s Alright. . . .” Stories About Colorism in America, 14 WASH. U. GLOBALSTUD. L. REV. 585 (2015), https://openscholarship.wustl.edu/law_globalstudies/vol14/iss4/8
Maxwell, M., Brevard, J., Abrams, J., & Belgrave, F. (2014). What’s Color Got To Do With It? Skin Color, Skin Color Satisfaction, Racial Identity, and Internalized Racism Among African American College Students. Journal Of Black Psychology, 41(5), 438-461. doi: 10.1177/0095798414542299
