Have You Ever Heard The Term -Colorism? (1672 hits)

Although familiar with the practices, I had not heard this term until recently. When people use terms like "tarbaby," "good hair," and "light bright damn near white" they are guilty of colorism. Colorism can take place when darker skinned blacks discriminate against lighter skinned blacks and vice versa. It's a type of intra-racism. Or, racism within a race. We should all be aware of this type of racism so that we can prevent it.

Below is the Wikipedia Definition.
Colorism is a form of discrimination in which human beings are accorded differing social and treatment based on skin color. The preference often gets translated to economic status because of opportunities for work. Colorism can be found across the world. The term generally is used for the phenomenon of non-white peoples discriminating within their own ethnic groups.

The term colorism usually refers to when lighter skin tones are preferred and darker skin is considered less desirable although it is possible for the opposite to also be true. In the U.S., the phenomenon also occurs in other populations, such as among Chicanos and other Latinos and Indian immigrants.

Also labeled as colorism, which is more discussed than others, is the phenomenon of darker-skinned people discriminating against lighter tones within the same ethnic group.

While colorism still exists in the U.S., it has diminished since the Civil Rights Movement and rise of black power ideals.

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Monday, September 22nd 2008 at 4:21PM
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