@Freedom007
Colorism At Its Peak
Recently I saw a post on Twitter that mentioned how light skin people and some mixed people benefits from colorism and I was like.....?..they are absolutely right though and I will be explaining what colorism is, for those who may not know about it or those who refuse to acknowledge that it actually exist in our community. `kindly check out my awesome sponsors` So, what is colorism? well. colorism is generally defined as prejudice based on skin tone. more specifically though, it's a form of discrimination that favor or always tend to consider the lighter skin tones and all around more eurocentric facial features, to darker skin tones and more afrocentric facial features. what's crazy about this though and honestly outraging is that despite that many darker skinned people experience colorism, the word colorism doesn't officially exist and why is it so?... I actually don't know or maybe those that have experienced colorism can't speak out or maybe we want to eradicate racism before colorism, since it was racism that give rise to colorism. **ALICE WALKER** was credited with first to use this word. She used it in her book in 1983 book “**in search of our mother's garden"** ..... but sadly our communities continue denying its existence, but make no mistake, colorism has root and is a product of racism because if racism doesn't actually exist, not only would one's value not be based on the color of their skin but this discussion surrounding skin tones would simply not be if there wasn't racism. Despite it's impact on communities, it's barely discussed, it's not to be confused with the “ism" which is racism because where racism is carried out by people of one race against those of another but colorism can also happen among members of the same ethnic group or racial group and a result, darker skinned people can experience both racism and colorism and what's sad about this is that it's conditioned into us early in the days when racism started .... Recently conducted research in some children of different races, they've always pointed towards lighter skinned cartoon characters or individual when asked to identify which of them are really smart or pretty and one thing is common to them all, they've always associated negative characteristics to those with darker skin tones. In **CHIKA OKORO'S TEDX** Standford talk, she speaks out on colorism and it's presence in the entertainment industry and If you haven't listened to her before, now is the time to do so since she described everything very clearly without leaving anything out, and it was at that point that I gained a deeper knowledge of colorism. Thanks for reading 💚💚💚💚... I would try my best to give a better insights on colorism in the next article.
29 comments
I think we all have colors that highlight our skin tone, the most beautiful thing about being different are the features that make us different, my skin color is rare, I'm not white, nor brown I'm like a shade between yellow and red.
Whatever complexion we had, I can always say that we are all the same and must be respected, and no judgments
It exists truly and it's a hurting thing to people that experience it.
Imagine experiencing colorism and racism as a black person
It will really be hurt
I believe that,We should never judge people because of color,and everyone has its own beauty that is unique. I think the social media affects that issue,and also some people set standards,that those who has white skin are beautiful than others.But unfortunately,we are all have our own beautifulness .
The social media and the society has changed everything concerning beauty into being light skinned
idont know why color of skin is really a big deal to other people...imean we are all human...we are all Gods children...ihope some people will never hurt other people because of skin color.
What can I say. Wonder why you'd discriminate against a person or treat them badly because of their skin colour
That's the world we are living in now and it must be changed
Prejudice is such a horrible behavior of humans, even when you travel to various different countries you will see a lot of people who discriminate others because of their skin tone.
Is like it is in human nature to discriminate just to feel better than someone, even Africans or blacks discriminate on who's lighter and who's darker.
Most of us don't even see it as a big deal anymore, maybe we are used to it or maybe it's just okay to receive discrimination from our African people rather than the Europeans
We keep preaching this colorism everyday but the people in concern are not ready to adjust. I hope one day the world will turn out better
Even those that experience it don't speak out
That's mostly the reason why most dark-skinned people bleach their skin because they feel those that are light-skinned are more favoured, and that's just the harsh truth about the society we live in today
And that is enough reason for bleaching your skin, some even go to the extent of bleaching thinking they would be more beautiful
This has been an issue and many are fighting for no to racial discrimination. Even us Asian sometimes experience that
That's really bad sincerely
Every race experience this discrimination, even to the same races. In our country if you are fair, your are pretty. If you are dark skinned, you are not attractive.
Every color is unique and I don't see anything wrong in being black
I'm a victim of color discrimination and I have gotten used to that. I just shoo away the negative thoughts or else they will kill me.
That's the truth we are already used to it and that's why we never see it as a problem
No one deserves to get discriminated. After all, Earth is only a dot from hundreds and billions og galaxies existing in the universe.
It is sad but discrimination still exists almost everywhere. It is as you said, rooted to our society.
I just think as long as racism exist colorism will continue existing
It will. Unless the present generation will teach their children to be inclusive and to not discriminate.
Expecting your detailed article concerning the topic. I guess this would be my first time meeting the word Colourism
There's first time for everything though