Colorism is a form of oppression that is expressed through the differential treatment of individuals and groups based on skin tone. Colorism is an expression of internalized racism. Almost every African American has a story about colorism and is aware of its impact, but they are rarely given opportunities to discuss their experiences. It is the practice of discrimination against people based on their skin tone, both light, and dark-skinned African Americans experience discrimination based on skin tone, but the discrimination manifests in different ways. Most of the research that has been done on racism focuses on inter-group racism, which is between the majority and minorities. Of the research that discusses intra-group racism, the impact on both light and dark skinned women and men has been explored. I will discuss colorism as a recurring everyday event, in almost all settings and interactions; culturally relevant knowledge about African American women and men interactions and feelings about themselves and other African American women, and provide topics of interest for mental health care. Colorism has been proven to negatively impact not only adults but children and teens of both genders. Intra-group racism based on color is present in many cultures around the world and has a similar negative impact as other cross-racial forms of racism. This racism within the African American community is a serious cause for concern as it affects self-esteem, mental well-being, and overall positive life outcomes.
The concept of colorism stems from slavery. Women slaves were often raped by their owners and when they became pregnant from these forced encounters, lighter skin children were birthed. These lighter skin children were seen as a more beautiful and put on higher pedestal then the darker slaves. Lighter complexion slaves were called "house negros" and they got to stay in the house, while darker skinned slaves stayed outside. Due to their skin color, they were seen as much smarter or prettier than the darker women and men, though in reality, they were still slaves. The color symbolism associated with slavery and has been propagated in the community through internalized racialism ever since. After slavery ended, the idea of lighter skinned people being more superior to darker skinned people followed the African American community, helping internalized racism. Social groups had strict standards for attendees based on skin tone. Cities like Chicago and New York arose made primarily of lighter-skinned African Americans. Black churches were also discriminatory, some churches were designated specifically for lighter-skinned African Americans. The Colored Methodist Episcopal Church came about in 1870, which separated from the African Methodist Episcopal Church. The Colored Methodist Episcopal Church separating from the African Methodist Church was based primarily on skin tone issues. In the 20th century things like the “paper bag test” and the “comb test” were used by color conscious churches and some social organizations to enforce rules based on skin tone. These “tests” were often used to determine whether access and/or membership was denied or approved. If your skin was darker than the paper bag, or if the comb might snag in your hair, then you were denied. Some churches painted their doors light brown; as a way for those who were attending could measure how dark their skin was; anyone darker than the door that they were not welcome. Some other churches hung a comb at their doors signaling that only those with hair textures more like Caucasians were welcomed. Racism is a powerful force that its negative effects operate as an oppressing force both within the same race as well as cross-racial dynamics. As history progressed the idea that light-skinned people were superior continued but in more subtle ways. “Color symbolism” which is the use of color to convey psychological meaning about whether something is positive or negative. Skin tone and other cultural expressions are subject to color symbolism and are used to designate that what is positive from that what is negative in culture and the world.
Research suggests colorism affects men and women, though in different ways. African American males have been found to be impacted by colorism; African American women tend to have more negative psychological effects from colorism than their male counterparts. There are negative connotations with being seen as either “too light” and/or “too dark”.Many African Americans have grown up hearing negative comments about themselves. Like “Don’t play in the sun. You’re going to have to get a light-skinned husband for the sake of your children as it is” (Glenn 2009). The attitudes and beliefs associated with lighter skin African Americans, is they are more intelligent and more attractive because their skin tone and hair texture more closely resemble Caucasians. This has resulted in negative effects on the self-esteem of African Americans, especially women. There were very little studies and investigations into the experiences of medium skin toned or “brown” skinned African Americans. Dark skinned African American women are especially vulnerable as stigmas associated with darker skin creates more risk factors for body issues. Research demonstrates that dark skinned women are more likely to have more negative impacts on their self-esteem. In certain areas such as attractiveness and relationships, it is stated by some researchers that a competitive dynamic has developed that has created a certainly unspoken animosity between skin tone groups. It is presumed internalized racism and sexism has caused a division within the African American community, for both genders, but especially for women. Similar to inter-group racism, which implies that one group has power, privilege, and advantages over another. As a result, power and privilege are critical parts of the discussion on color discrimination. The color symbolism that traditionally associates darker skin with negative connotations is a consequence of living through slavery and segregation American society.
Research reveals people, inside and outside of the Black community continue to give meaning to the idea of complexion, this has a significant impact on a number of life opportunities. The effects of colorism may be observed in Black women’s self- perceptions, ethnic identity, relationships, men, mate selection, family dynamics, educational and occupational outcomes, income levels, and mental and physical health (Hunter, 2007; Jackson-Lowman, 2013). Although more positive images and role models for African American women are beginning to emerge, the stereotypes emanating from slavery simply mutate with time, creating newer versions of the same theme that continue to influence the sense of self of Black girls/women (Collins, 1992). In African American communities, families, and circle of friends, everyone does not promote the beauty in all shades. The effects of this are felt throughout the community and little is being done to change that. Empowering each other and understanding that beauty is not determined by the tone of your skin can put a stop to colorism. It can also alter the tension between who feel that the skin color makes them inferior.
Insufficient attention is dedicated to the psychological effect of colorism. There is an abundance of research that examines the psychological effects of racial discrimination on African-Americans. Research demonstrates that internalized racism holds serious and sometimes lethal individual and systemic psychological impacts on all persons of color; people of color come to internalize negative beliefs about themselves that are first perpetuated and reinforced within these larger systems and institutions in the US, and this process produces negative psychological impact. (Carter; 2007) Literature supports that internalized racial stereotypes are associated with a diminished ability to cope with stress, due to the fact that individuals cannot rely on a positive self-concept and racial identity as a buffer against discrimination. Studies have also linked colorism to negative physical health as well as psychological ones. Some findings have shown that colorism is correlated with increased abdominal obesity in Caribbean Black women, even when controlling for age, anxiety, depression, and education (Tull, 1999; 2005). Research indicates that perceived racial discrimination can have deleterious effects on African-Americans’ mental health.
The major impacts of colorism on African Americans, often presentence when they speak of how it affected their relationships with other Black people, and other Black women in particular. Like in the movie Dark Girls the stories that were told were hard to hear. Stories about women who both rejected others due to their color bias and yet they desperately wanted connections. Whether these connections were friendships or relationships, this increased their sense of isolation created by this internalized racism. The same rejection and social anxiety felt and identified by some African American women during childhood and adulthood are what they are projected onto other Black women. This may be because when women feel threatened, isolated or rejected, their first impulse is to withdraw, blame, project or demean the source (Benenson et al., 2011). Its as if Black women blame other Black women for their treatment, they are more likely to have tension and resentment towards each other.
As a culture that came from years of oppression and hatred inflicted by once being slaves, forced to think that because of their skin color, they are inferior. African Americans have reverted back to having this kind of mindset. In which is, hurting them as a whole. The media and their influence on what is “beautiful”, which often does not include Black America or only includes lighter-skinned African Americans; this is tearing the community apart. An investigation on how both light and dark skinned African American women are represented in media images (Fears 1996). Research that has been done about African American women in media representations, concerning their character themes, the roles they represent, even their absence in advertisements altogether. More research on colorism found that lighter skinned women, or women with more European features, are more likely to be in editorial photos and advertisements. Despite the social movements of the time, advertisements still tended to favor lighter features and models. It was found that the images of African Americans in editorials today, tended to reflect every shade of brown in African American women and men. However, it was found that although representations tended to be more balanced in editorials, descriptors such as “pretty, lovely, and beautiful” are more likely to be paired with images of lighter, more European looking women and men. This suggests that editorials, newspapers, and magazines were more likely to depict more balanced images of African Americans than any other media, including print advertisements and television commercials. Despite other factors that affect both light and dark skinned women and men, attractiveness and desirability are centers of the problem. It was found that light skinned women have better life outcomes, higher income, and spouses with higher social status (Hunter;2002). Russell, Wilson, and Hall (1992) discussed the historical and social conflict created by causing standards of beauty to those with lighter skin and what is considered to be the “inevitable resentment” that develops. The Color Complex explores the tension that develops between African American women of different shades and highlights the complexities of this relationship within family, dating, and social contexts. Dark skinned African American women are at a disadvantage in a society where light skin is highly valued as a dimension of beauty.
In conclusion, in the African American community, families, and circle of friends, everyone does not promote the beauty in all shades. As a culture that came from years of oppression and hatred inflicted by once being slaves, forced to think that because of their skin color they are perceived as negative or have negative features. Despite other factors that affect both light and dark skinned women and men, attractiveness and desirability are centers of the problem. There is an abundance of research that examines the psychological effects of racial discrimination on African-Americans, though the research is not extensive. We know colorism can cause tension between those in the community. Research racial discrimination can have deleterious effects on African-Americans’ mental health. Research that has also been done about African American women in media representations, concerning their character themes, the roles they represent, even their absence in advertisements altogether. This suggests that editorials, newspapers, and magazines only publish what the world identifies as beautiful which often leaves out a big group of people. The media and their influence on what is “beautiful”, which often does not include Black America or only includes lighter-skinned African Americans; this is tearing the community apart. Dark skinned African American women are especially vulnerable as stigmas associated with darker skin creates more risk factors for body issues. Overall, the African American community could do better as a whole uplifting and loving one another regardless of their skin.