DAY 16: Give up the ignorance of the impact of colourism
Dr. Sarah Webb, shares this definition of colourism:
“Colorism is the social marginalization and systemic oppression of people with darker skin tones and the privileging of people with lighter skin tones.”
While the impact of colourism is particularly obvious in the fashion, media, movie, and music industries, it is a diminishing and dangerous force in the lives of people of colour.
Colourism can happen among people of the same race or ethnicity. It seems to have the strongest impact in countries with a history of colonization or slavery because the violence and racism inherent in colonialism and slavery forced individuals to align themselves with whiteness to survive. In these oppressive regimes, lighter skin was often rewarded by being granted proximity to power, easier living and work conditions and special privileges. It sometimes even meant the difference between life and death.
Colourism’s colonial roots have a modern day presence in many areas. It impacts job opportunities, freedom on where a person can live, and debilitating self-hate that cane lead the use of unhealthy chemicals to lighten one’s skin.
TIP: We invite you grow in your awareness on how colorism has shaped how racism and other forms of oppression lives in you. How are you impacted by colourism? Are you willing to stop and consider if what you hold as a preference has been influenced by colorism?
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