4.13 Colorism

Defining Colorism

Colorism is prejudice or discrimination based on skin tone, typically favoring lighter skin over darker skin, often within the same racial or ethnic group. Rooted in histories of enslavement and colonialism, colorism has shaped social hierarchies, opportunities, and beauty standards among Black communities in the U.S. and globally.

Historical Roots

During slavery, lighter-skinned enslaved people (often children of white enslavers) were sometimes given preferential treatment, such as house labor over field labor, while darker-skinned people faced harsher conditions. This created lasting divisions, including practices like the "brown paper bag test" and preferences reflected in institutions, media, and social clubs.

Colorism Today and Debates

Contemporary debates address how colorism affects beauty standards, media representation, hiring, and dating preferences, often privileging lighter skin and Eurocentric features. Scholars and activists debate solutions, including promoting Black is Beautiful ideals, diversifying media representation, and addressing colorism's intersection with class and gender inequality.

Key terms

Colorism

Prejudice or discrimination based on skin tone, typically favoring lighter skin, often within the same racial group.

Historical origin of colorism

Rooted in slavery, where lighter-skinned enslaved people (often enslavers' children) received preferential treatment over darker-skinned people.

Brown paper bag test

A discriminatory practice historically used to exclude people with skin darker than a paper bag from certain social or institutional access.

Black is Beautiful movement

A cultural movement promoting pride in natural Black features and darker skin tones, countering colorist beauty standards.

Modern colorism examples

Persisting bias in media representation, beauty standards, hiring practices, and dating preferences that favor lighter skin.

Try an AP-style question

Colorism is…

1. discrimination based on skin tone
2. prejudice based on religion
3. bias based on income
4. favoritism based on region