Colorism A Concise Definition

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[PROFESSOR NAME]

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11th November, 2022

Colorism

WHAT IS COLORISM AND HOW DOES IT AFFECT INDIVIDUALS IN THEIR DAILY LIVES?

Colorism is discrimination based on one’s skin tone. It is the superior treatment of light-skinned people within a racial group at the expense of their dark-skinned colleagues (Viglione et al. 251). Fergus (as cited in Knight n.pag), conducted a study on colorism using high school males of Puerto Rican and Mexican (Latino) origin. The study established that although the boys were all Latinos, those with white-looking skin received more favourable treatment both at the family and school level as they were perceived as white, while their dark-skinned counterparts often suffered discrimination (Knight, n.pag). colorism is manifested when people of the same ethnic group face different outcomes and realities and different expectations based on their skin tone.

Like racism, colorism disadvantages dark-skinned people, limiting their life chances and access to greater privileges A study by Viglione et al. (256) on the effects of colorism in the criminal justice system found that dark-skinned black women were twice more likely to receive the death penalty for crimes against white victims and that generally, darker-skinned people received longer prison sentences than their light-skinned counterparts. Darker-skinned men are also more likely to be labeled as criminals, more likely to be associated with aggression and violence, and more likely to be victims of discrimination than their light-skinned counterparts (Viglione et al., 251). At the workplace, dark-skinned individuals are less likely to get ahead and will often earn less than their light-skinned counterparts (Viglione et al. 251). Studies have also shown that colorism affects marriage and romantic relationships. Dark-skinned women have a 15 percent higher possibility of remaining unmarried than their light-skinned peers because society associates fair skin with status and beauty (Hamilton et al. 46).

WHAT SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE BEST ANALYSES COLORISM?

The conflict sociological approach best theorizes colorism. The conflict approach argues that society is characterized by inequalities in the distribution of resources based on age, race, gender, and class, which causes conflict between the majority and minority (Nickerso n.pag). The powerful minority use their resources and influence to develop structures that grant them advantage over the majority in the distribution of desired resources (Nickerson n.pag). Thus, society is in constant conflict as the majority try to fight for their place in the system, while the minority develop new ways to ensure they control the available resources (Nickerson n.pag).

In the US, colorism is believed to have begun from the period when slavery was common practice (Nittle, n.pag). Typically, members of the ruling class were white, while the peasants they enslaved were dark-skinned. Enslaved women were often victims of sexual assault from their masters, resulting in mixed-race, light-skinned children that the enslavers gave certain privileges over the dark-skinned although they did not formally recognize them. Generally, this gave rise to the idea that light-skin is superior to dark skin (Nittle n.pag). Over the years, equality movements have brought some form of equality and fairness by trying to prevent discrimination based on skin color. However, the majority whites still believe in the superiority of light skin. To perpetuate their supremacy, they offer greater life chances and opportunities to minorities whose skin tone and facial features are similar to the European-America descent (smooth hair, thin lips, narrow nose, and light skin) (Viglione et al. 251). They own and control the media to construct beliefs that the ideal black woman is light-skinned, with European-American features. Although the physical shackles of slavery no longer exist, the dominant white communities continue to nurture mental chains that tie those in lower classes to self-hatred and feelings of inferiority.

IN YOUR OPINION, WHAT ARE THE SOLUTIONS THAT CAN POSSIBLY END COLORISM?

In my view, ending colorism requires a multifaceted strategy that includes both micro and macro approaches. At the micro level, family members, parents, and guardians need to take on the responsibility of teaching the children and youth that being black or Latino is something to celebrate and that regardless of where one lies in the skin tone spectrum; no skin tone is superior to the other. The first step in ending colorism is creating a home environment where children feel equal and understand that by accepting to be divided along skin tone lines, they are perpetuating the very inequalities, against which they should be fighting. It is prudent to correct divisive language at the family level and ensure that children receive equal treatment and privileges regardless of their skin tone. This will help bring healing and consensus within individuals, families, and ethnic minority communities before policymakers can begin moving their effort towards macro policies. At the macro level, communities could engage successful dark-skinned people as champions to serve as role models and educate their communities that success is not limited to skin color and that they could rise above their skin tone.