Colorism in the Black Community

2707 Words6 Pages

Introduction The Association of Black Psychologist (ABP) (2013) defines colorism as skin-color stratification. Colorism is described as “internalized racism” that is perceived to be a way of life for the group that it is accepted by (ABP 2013). Moreover, colorism is classified as a persistent problem within Black American. Colorism in the process of discriminatory privileges given to lighter-skinned individuals of color over their darker- skinned counterparts (Margret Hunter 2007). From a historical standpoint, colorism was a white constructed policy in order to create dissention among their slaves as to maintain order or obedience. Over the centuries, it seems that the original purpose of colorism remains. Why has this issue persisted? Blacks have been able to dismantle the barriers faced within the larger society of the United States. Yet, Blacks have failed to properly address the sins of the past within the ethnic group. As a consequence of this failure, colorism prevails. Through my research, I developed many questions: Is it right that this view remain? How does valuing an individual over another cause distribution to the mental health of the victims of colorism? More importantly, what are the solutions for colorism? Colorism, unfortunately, has had a persisted effect on the lives of Black Americans. It has become so internalized that one cannot differentiate between the view of ourselves that Black Americans adopted from slavery or a more personalized view developed from within the ethnicity. The consequences of this internalized view heightens the already exorbitant mental health concerns within the Black community, but the most unfortunate aspect of colorism is that there is contention on how the issue should be solved. ... ... middle of paper ... ...JUNE_23_2013_Dr Grills.pdf>. Cane, Clay. "J. Cole: I Might Not Be as Successful If I Had Dark Skin." BET.com. BET Networks, 22 Aug. 2013. Web. 04 Dec. 2013. . Eurweb. "KeKe Palmer On Colorism in Hollywood: 'I Used To Pray To Have Light Skin'" Black America Web RSS. Interactive One, 2 Oct. 2013. Web. 05 Dec. 2013. hollywood-i-used-to-pray-have-light-skin/>. Kennedy, Randall. "Racial Passing." Moritzlaw.osu.edu. Ohio State School of Law, 2001. Web. 5 Dec. 2013. . Williams, Chris. "Colorism:The War at Home." EBONY. Johnson Publishing Group, 20 Feb. 2013. Web. 28 Nov. 2013. the-war-at-home-405/2>.

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