Colorism In The Black Community 1

Colorism In The Black Community: A Review Of Literature

Autumn Moire Smith

Hampton University
Colorism In The Black Community 1

Abstract

Colorism is a compressed problem in the black community in America. Colorism or what some

call it, the 21st century discrimination differentiates woman of color by the pigment in their skin.

Especially, targeting the darker skin toned woman and giving privileges towards lighter skinned

woman due to the simple fact they aren't the same shade. This literature review will inform you

on the different behavioral treating on darker skinned woman and other comparisons to other

skin complexions. Surveys and Interview data will show and help contribute to the research

found on the discrimination of darker woman.

Colorism In The Black Community 1

Colorism In The Black Community: A Review Of Literature

Colorism in the black community is discrimination and treatment of darker skin toned

woman in the black community. The discrimination of darker women is an act of judgement just

from the pigmentation of their skin. There are various examples of slander towards dark skin

women in the black community and community overall. With stereotypes and hurtful statement

lines like You're pretty for a darker skin girl or You're pretty for a black girl. Flooding the

mind of young dark skin woman that they couldn't be pretty because of their skin, and promoting

self hate. Colorism comes about from the roots of the issue of slavery. During that time daker

women were raped and given harder labor, oppose to the light skinned women who were seen as

pure form of beauty and put on a high pedestal.

Colorism in the black community shows the different treatment dark skinned women get

just for their skin color. In today's society, women that are darker promote young woman of

darker skin tone to love the skin they're in. With non-profits and cute t shirt lines it's becomes

less of a problem it was. Many of African American women deal with this problem but darker

skinned women tend to be the major target. To learn and understand more about colorism in the

black community, consider four important questions:

1. What is colorism in the black community?

2. What is being done to stop colorism?

3. Who are the targets of colorism in the black community specifically?

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4. What is the cause of colorism?

The following review of literature will: give information on what colorism is in the black

community, provide examples on how colorism can be stop, look over who is being victimized

by colorism, and the overall cause of colorism in the black community.

What is colorism in the black community?

Colorism is the practice of discrimination of those with lighter skin are treated more

favorably than those with darker skin(Light skin,Dark skin: colorism in the black community).

Colorism has be adapted into society and worked its way into the black community. Social media

and other networks have help put a definition to colorism in the black community. With social

media having a huge impact on the way one thinks, it has helped conducted colorism towards

dark skinned women(Light skin,Dark skin: colorism in the black community). Thousands of

twitter and instagram pages have showed what they perceive as a perfect girl and not one of

them are dark skinned. The image of a light skin curly headed girl, oppose of a darker skin

woman.

Selecting one image of a dark skin girl and applying it to all, stereotypes and thoughts

such as if your dark skin you have no hair or nappy hair, and implying that light skins have

good hair. Heavily bragging of the light skin women, the darker women tend to fade to the

dark.Building the trending hashtag #teamlightskin and #teamdarkskin, putting them

automatically against each other. Another absurd phrase caused by colorism is your pretty for a

dark skinned girl. As if meaning you have to be light skin to be considered beautiful or
Colorism In The Black Community 1
attractive.Creating a fake barrier to separate light skinned women and dark skinned woman, and

a type of division in the black community with being indirectly defensive. Figure 1

represent a survey to help show, how many African American women of color have been

offended or not offended by the statement You're pretty for a black girl.

The blue represents the women of color who are offended and the red representing the women

who weren't. Women who were offended believe the statement implied that an African American

women can't be beautiful. Oppose to the others who didn't get offended that took it as a

compliment.

What is being done to stop colorism?

Colorism is being stopped by the support of nonprofits and influences in the African

American community. The non-profits help build confidence in not just young dark skinned

women but African American woman as a whole.Black Girls Rock is a non-profit youth

empowerment and mentoring organization group for woman of color, to encourage dialogue and
Colorism In The Black Community 1
analyze ways woman of color are portrayed in media(BET). Black Girls Rock is multifaceted

movement and award show dedicated to empower Black Woman and show off their

achievements of woman in color.

Another popular non-profit is Legendary rootz. Legendary rootz is a non profit that

influences and supports black girls. Helping them believe in self love and to love their kinky hair

or big nose. They created slogan lines and t shirts that read, No you can not touch my hair and

black girl magic. Dealing with social media, some of the darker skinned women decided to

bite back. Posting and embracing the darker skinned women and gaining a lot of attention.

Receiving compliments on the color of the skin, their natural glow, and even complexion. Since

then there hasn't been as much of the #teamlightskin, but it is still some of discrimination.

A current problem that is in the process of being stop is the makeup industry and making

it more diverse. Kelly Rowland is creating her own makeup for her chocolate girls to find the

perfect shade(Porter, J. W. 2016, March 22). Kellys purpose is specifically for women of color,

and showing them that they are beautiful in and out. Figure 2 represents 15 black women

interviewed about finding their correct shade in foundation. 6 (40%) of the 15 agreed that they

have had problems with finding cosmetics that match them, while 5(33.3%) out of the 15 don't
Colorism In The Black Community 1
have trouble finding their correct shade in color.

Another example of ending colorism in the black community are public figures. Maria

Borges became the first Victoria's Secret model to wear her afro- textured hair during the fashion

show(Allen, M. 2017, January 09). Maria Borges is a public figure of ending colorism because

she meets and fits every stereotype with being a dark skinned woman(Allen, M.2017, January

09). Showing off her self love and everything that comes with being a dark skinned African

American women.

Who are the targets of colorism in the black community specifically?

Specific targets who targetted of colorism in the black community are dark skinned

woman. Colorism comes about from the roots of the issue of slavery. During that time daker

women were raped and given harder labor, oppose to the light skinned women who were seen as

pure form of beauty. Dark skinned women are discriminated not to that extent but the equality

and separation started during slavery times. Dark skinned women are targeted simple fact that
Colorism In The Black Community 1
they are darker than most. Darker women are the main subject but it also goes for African

American women overall. Colorism is causing young men and woman to strictly chose a certain

skin tone(Odyssey, January, 5, 2016). Young men especially have took their choice based off

what they are surrounded by(Black Men Don't Like Black Women, October 15,2014) .

Announcing they don't want a dark skin girl because they're too loud, or her hair not long

enough(Black Men Don't Like Black Women, October 15,2014)

What is the cause of colorism?

The cause of colorism in the black community comes from stereotypes, media, and the black

community itself. Stereotypes have helped form some type of judgement to all skin tones. For

example, You dont text back because you are light skinned(Odyssey, January 5, 2016). And

stereotypes for dark skins, Dark skins always trying to argue and fight(Odyssey, January 5,

2016). Society has created a character and personality based off the color of their skin. The

thought of lightskin being conceited and breaks every boys heart and darkskin women labeled as

ghetto and overly aggressive(Odyssey, January 5, 2016). Society's thought process of light skin

and dark skinned women have took a tremendous effect. Many men say they don't date light

skinned women because they're conceited or don't date dark skin women because they're ghetto.

Media has helped the cause of colorism as well, with comparing the two and representing

them. There are plenty of memes showing examples of what dark skins are represented as and

what light skinned are represented as(Odyssey, January 5, 2016). A popular is listing the phone

companies and the carriers deemed bad represented the dark skinned women and the good ones

showed the light skinned. Most of Tvs favorite artist will almost never have a dark skin women

as the leading role(Odyssey, January 5, 2016).

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Conclusion

Colorism in the black community is the 21st century discrimination and separation of

people based on the color of their skin. Colorism is a worldwide problem and not just in the

black community. The discrimination of darker women is an act of judgement just from the

pigmentation of their skin. For a better understanding the four research questions are: What is

colorism in the black community, What is being done to stop colorism, Who are the targets of

colorism, and what is the cause for it. From the research, colorism is coming to an end with the

judgment of dark skinned woman and colorism judgment overall.

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Reference

Coward, M. (n.d.). Light Skin, Dark Skin: Colorism in the Black Community. Being and Doing,

1-1. Doi:2017

3 Signs Colorism Still Exists In The Black Community. (2016, January 05). Retrieved March 20,

2017, from https://www.theodysseyonline.com/3-signs-colorism-exists-black-community

Carter, C. (2014, October 15). Black Men Don't Like Black Women. Retrieved March 20, 2017,

from

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/courtney-carter/black-men-dont-like-black_b_5973030.html

Allen, M. (2017, January 09). There Are 3 Victoria's Secret Models Walking the Show With

Afro-Textured Hair This Year. Retrieved March 20, 2017, from

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/style-beauty/beauty/a8383809/victorias-secret-fashion-show-2016

-natural-hair/

Porter, J. W. (2016, March 22). Kelly Rowland is Coming out With a Makeup Line for

'Chocolate Girls. Retrieved March 20, 2017, from

http://www.essence.com/2016/03/22/kelly-rowland-coming-out-makeup-line-chocolate-girls

About Us. (n.d.). Retrieved March 20, 2017, from

http://www.blackgirlsrockinc.com/about-us/#.WNCelRIrLq0
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