Colorism is the Prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group. It generally is a form of discrimination based on skin tone, while racism is discrimination based on racial or ethnic identity. Colorism can exist within a single racial group, though it is rooted in the larger systemic structure of racism. Colorism is a form of discrimination based on skin tone, while racism is discrimination based on racial or ethnic identity. Colorism can exist within a single racial group, though it is rooted in the larger systemic structure of racism. While Colorism is based on discrimination of Skin tone, complexion, or shade, Racism is based on the discrimination of Race, ethnicity, or national origin. The scope of colorism's impact encompasses both intra-racial (within a racial group) and inter-racial (between different racial groups) contexts. Primarily happens between different racial or ethnic groups with an Underlying belief that Lighter skin tones are perceived as superior, more desirable, or more intelligent than darker skin tones. Or that one race is inherently superior to another. The historical roots originated from legacies of colonialism and slavery, which attached benefits and privilege to lighter skin. Developed from centuries of systemic power structures that created and enforced racial hierarchies.
For example, Darker-skinned people may face lower wages, longer prison sentences for the same crimes, or fewer job prospects compared to their lighter-skinned counterparts of the same race. People may be unfairly disadvantaged in employment, housing, and other areas based on their racial identity. These manifestations can be subtle or overt, such as the use of skin-lightening products, preferential casting in media, or social exclusion based on skin tone. Can include systemic practices (e.g., redlining), institutional policies, and explicit acts of verbal abuse or violence, in relation to each other. Many scholars view colorism as a persistent byproduct of racism. The values that favor lighter skin in colorism are derived from white supremacist ideologies. Racism is the larger system of oppression that creates the racial hierarchies on which colorism operates.