Reflection 4: Within the Community—Exploring the Effects of Colorism



Though it has existed in various forms for centuries, it hasn’t been until the 21st century that colorism has come to the forefront. Colorism is the favoritism shown toward lighter skin tones within communities of color. Though it is a byproduct of racist systems, such as colonialism, colorism itself is not racism within communities of color. Instead, it is a non-white people’s own cultural bias toward light skin. For example, in the Black community, the discussion over the preferential treatment of those with lighter skin goes back to slavery, in which the tone of your skin often determined whether you worked indoors or out. In the United States today, Americans of color are beginning to question mechanisms within their own communities that favor Anglo standards of beauty. For example, last year's In the Heights was accused of relegating darker-skinned Dominican immigrants to the background. And it is not only America confronting colorism these days. In the UK, Queer Eye's Tan France not only recently admitted to bleaching his skin as a youth, he has also led a campaign for people of color to more openly discuss colorism. Meanwhile, fans of South Korea's K-Pop have called out the common practice of "idols" lightening their skin. How have you witnessed or experienced colorism? Have you seen a bias toward lighter-skinned people even within communities of color? Finally, how can communities of color reclaim their own unique beauty standards?

Include at least two of the following in your discussion: 

Required:
  • MLA Style
  • Approximately 375 words
  • Works cited 

Submission Window: Wed 11.30-Fri 12.9 (via Canvas)