Students and Faculty Address Colorism Across Diverse Communities, Part 2: The Effects of Colorism

Colorism, which is prejudice or discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone, typically among people of the same ethnic or racial group, is prevalent in places like India, Latin America, and the United States, affecting the self-esteem, as well as, the physical and mental health of millions of people.  

“If we talk about health consequences – beyond racial differences or immigration status, whether you are fluent in English or not – skin tone has an impact on people’s health and wellbeing, physically and mentally,” notes Soumyadeep Mukherjee, a Rhode Island College Assistant Professor who is from India. “Although there has not been a lot of research, studies have shown that outcomes like hypertension and depression are more prominent among darker skinned than lighter skinned individuals. For some health outcomes, such differences have been noted even between siblings.” 

Brooxana Pierre, co-vice president of Harambee, a black student organization at Rhode Island College, who proudly identifies as African-American, feels that colorism has been part or her entire life. “When I think of colorism, I think of the treatment and passing judgement that a person of a darker complexion might get versus to someone with a lighter complexion,” she explains. “My brother has lighter skin tone than me, so people would pass judgement against me just because I have a darker skin tone. It becomes a battle of thinking that I am less beautiful because I have darker skin.” 

Daniel Clarkin, who is from Puerto Rico and identifies as Latino, is the co-president of UNIDOS, a Hispanic group at RIC. He explains that within most Latino families, there are members who are pale, blonde and with light colored eyes, as well as those who appear black with curly hair, and even some with indigenous features. Unfortunately, the lighter skinned person gets treated better than the darker skinned person based purely on looks.

Colorism also persists in the Indian community. For example, Mukherjee points to matrimonial websites, something similar to western dating sites. “Some of the typical language used to describe the intended partner is like, ‘Looking for alliance. English speaker, slim, light skin’ – especially when describing women.” 

Jayana Greene the former vice-presidents of Harambee, who also identifies as African-American, believes that prejudgments and misconceptions based on skin color persons affect generations of people, not just within the United States but other countries, lowering people’s confidence and making them ashamed of their race. “When I was growing up my mom would tell me about the many stereotypes against dark skinned people,” she recalls. “It made me feel like, ‘I don’t want to be dark skin.’ I didn’t want people to judge me based on my skin color.”  

In Latin American communities many people, particularly among older generations, tend to favor lighter skin to darker skin. Comments like, “You would look much better if you straighten your hair,” or, “You are getting too much sun,” or even calling people by a nickname because of their physical appearance are all common within families and friends. 

Mukherjee says this is common in India, too. “When someone is going out in the sun, older people might say, ‘Oh, be careful. Use an umbrella because if you get sunburned and dark, no one will marry you,” he explains. “Usually an umbrella or sunscreen is not something used to protect against skin cancer or a heat stroke, but because you may wind up in a lower position in society.”

In both Latin America and India, there is a common misperception that lighter skinned people belong to upper classes, while darker skinned people are seen as lower class. “In India, the implications of colorism are further complicated by its deep rooted caste system. It is possible that caste-based discrimination perpetuates colorism and vice versa,” adds Mukherjee.

“For example, lower class people are untouchable and you must not come in contact with them, or even drink water from the same well, especially in villages,” says Mukherjee. “There is even a less common belief among some upper class people that if you accidentally come in contact with the shadow of a lower class person, you must take a shower to purify yourself.”

However, some remain optimistic that as public awareness about colorism increases and people start talking more openly about it, this form of bias can be overcome. Mukherjee, Clarkin, Greene and Pierre strongly agree that people need to start having these conversations and sharing their experiences, to get to a place where people can start seeing those similarities in their own societies.  
 
“It’s not about focusing on the differences, but recognizing the differences,” notes Clarkin. “We all need to come together in order to rebuild this nation. If we focus on becoming ‘UNIDOS’ – united – people of different skin tones can advance and start getting more power and justice in this country.” 

Pierre notes that in order to start changing behavior, “we need to do better in reinforcing the best ways of thinking about ourselves, starting within our homes. We have to speak life into our youth and educate them in who they are, something that will definitely help them with their identity. We need to make sure that they are strong and have strong foundations. So, if anyone tells them that they are not beautiful or worthy of an opportunity, they know for sure, in their hearts, that that’s a lie.”

For Clarkin, it also has to do with consciousness, having dialogues with people who might not understand colorism or recognize its existence, including family members, friends, and colleagues. “In order for us to reconstruct the dynamic of this side of the world, this country and western society, we have to start with consciousness and social justice.”

Mukherjee hopes that conversations about colorism and other forms of discrimination can help people see these issues in a broader context. “It is crucial to discuss the global context. We need to recognize the common threats of classism, racism, sexism, discrimination against religious minorities, LGBTQ discrimination, ableism, colorism, discrimination directed towards immigrants, and the crisscross patterns among them.” He adds, “hopefully, such conversations will motivate diverse communities to come together as allies so as to resist any and all forms of discrimination.”

Pierre believes that we all need to create those spaces for people to gather and speak about these different subjects, specially colorism, “finding a middle ground is important to have these conversations. Why not have classes about it?” she asks. “Teaching about it will help people be seen less as a threat and come together to know each other better.”