How Dark Is Too dark?
By: Samaya DeBose November 4, 2018 Carver HSES 2021
What is colorism?
Colorism is discrimination based on skin color. It is very prevalent in the Black community where often darker tones are shunned and lighter tones are praised. This issue dates back to slavery where the light skinned “lighter than a paper bag” slaves would receive better opportunities from their slave masters. Since then, this form of self hate has swept over the black community.
But aren't The times changing?
Recently, in response to the hit movie based on the book The Hate U Give, there is some dissatisfaction with the casting of Amandla Steinberg that could be tied to colorism. The author of the book describes her disappointment with the casting of Amandla since the cover of the book depicted a much darker-skinned girl. Though she agrees that Steinberg accurately takes on the character described in the book, there is an obvious connection to the common theme of Hollywood using light skinned or mixed race women to represent black women in film. When is the last time you saw a love interest played as a dark skinned woman? Are most of the roles for darker skinned women in Hollywood gentle, sensitive, positive roles straight out of the cliché “mammy” stereotype? This under-representation of black women in film ties to everyday life, where the black community reeks of colorism. Even some of the most so called “woke” and socially aware people fall prey to following these views of dark skinned people versus light skinned people.
What do you know about colorism at Carver HSES?
To learn more about colorism, specifically in the Carver HSES community, I talked to students and faculty to document their truths.
What is colorism?
“When an ethnic group shuns someone with a darker skin tone of their own ethnic group.”
"I don't know."
“Discrimination within the community.”
“Discrimination against people with a dark skin tone.”
How do you think colorism impacts dark skinned men/women?
“Brings down that man/woman’s self esteem.”
“Makes people feel insecure and frustrated.”
“They start to hate their skin tone.”
"If they don't have a strong foundation they will start to not like their skin."
What are some of your experiences with colorism?
“I see colorism in school sometimes, even my friends would sometimes say they want lighter skin.”
“I personally have never been affected by colorism, probably because I’m a lighter skin tone.”
"I pray all the time that we be free from that, and that we clean up and get ourselves together. We are all in the same race."
“You cute for a dark skin... Or I don’t usually go for chocolate, but…”
“I’ve seen a lot on Twitter and Instagram about how light skins are “better” or prettier than dark skins”
How do you feel about your skin color?
"I love it. Ya know we don't have to worry about it when we get in the sun with the sunburn and everything..."
“I like my skin color. Mostly because no one says anything about it.”
“I don’t like my skin.”
“It’s okay...”
“I love it, even though people talk shit sometimes.”
“I am light skin, but to me I feel my skin isn’t good enough.”
(pc:Flickr)
Would you prefer to have kids with light skinned woman/man or a dark skinned woman/man? If so, why?
"I prefer men that look like us, that come from African descent. But it doesn't matter as long as he isn't too light."
“My momma taught me to never date someone lighter than me.”
“Dark skin is my type.”
“It doesn't matter to me because it's about the personality."
“I would rather have kids with a dark skinned person only because I’m lighter and I feel like our kids would vary in shades.”
(pc:pixabay)WHat's next...
Colorism in the black community will not be resolved over night, due to it's deep roots in our lives. From the recasting of Aunt Viv (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air) to saying to your friend how you want to pursue somebody simply because you want "pretty mixed babies," colorism is everywhere. The solution to this is NOT claiming that you don't "see color" because you do and color is a part of our identity which shouldn't be ignored. Trying to forget won't solve anything. Instead, we can build awareness around this issue by simply having an ongoing conversation about it and not being afraid to hold others or even ourselves accountable. For future investigations, what other issues dealing with body image do you deal with that need to be discussed?