COLOURISM WITHIN THE BLACK COMMUNITY

Firstly, let me begin by defining colourism. Colourism can be defined as “the prejudicial or preferential treatment of same-race people based solely on their colour” and making one group believe that they are better than another (but still, are inferior to the whites). Colourism is the racial complexion hierarchy that exists, and it is often the favouritism of the lighter skinned race against those of darker complexions. Whether people want to accept it or not, colourism is a form institutionalised and social racism! Not only does this divide exist in Africa, but in Asia and the Americas too.

The harmful effects of colonialization and slavery and these toxic notions are still remnant in our modern day and this culture has been passed down through socialisation. Historically, house slaves, most commonly had fairer skin and so their position was more privileged in contrast to field slaves. Black girls (unfortunately, more so dark-skinned girls in comparison to lighter skinned girls) are labelled as loud, aggressive and often undesirable by men and even by black men. There is a difference between preference and prejudice and often people are unable to make this distinction.

I was in class recently and somehow my three classmates and I started a discussion. The black boy (to me and my black female friend) said that he wouldn’t go for a girl darker than my shade (baring in my mind I’m not of a darker complexion) and so me and my friend were so triggered by his ignorance and his choice of words. Then his white friend that was present defends him by saying “that’s like you girls saying you wouldn’t date a guy below 6ft”. If you’re going to make an input into colourism within the black community then at least make it a valid point. What kind of void comparison is that?! The black boy continued and tried to justify his point by saying that he previously attended a predominantly white school and so it was “okay” for him to have that viewpoint. Again… how ignorant could you be?! Personal preference is personal preference, but your phrasing of such bold statements matters. This experience (which made me aware of the privilege light skinned people have) shows that blackness, in our society, is only accepted by others in a ‘watered down’ form.

My mum is of a darker complexion in contrast to the rest of my family and often people from our community would say to her “Are those your children? They are so ቀይ (directly translates as red but means ‘light skinned’ in this context’)”. People often view East Africans (as a whole) as the stereotype that is presented to them on the media (thin nose, fair skin, loose curls etc) but why do people neglect our East Africans brothers and sisters who do not stem from this stereotype. The colourism that exists within the Ethiopian/ Eritrean community must be spoken about! Words such as “ባሪያ”:” bariya” which directly translates as ‘slave’ but is a term that is used to degrade our dark-skinned brothers and sisters must stop being used!

Lack of representation! The beauty of the Hamer women of Ethiopia.

The word “habesha” historically means ‘mixed’ and refers to those from the Northern part of Ethiopia (the Tigre, the Amhara/ the Agew people, Beta Israel people). Terms like this are extremely problematic. Although it is a term that is now often used to collectively speak about both Ethiopians and Eritreans, that doesn’t erase its original meaning which is extremely saddening. There is a fetishization that exists of dark-skinned women. For example, in Ethiopia, for many centuries, women from the South (still exists today!) are taken to the Arab lands where they are sold as sex slaves, however the fairer skinned sex slaves are often sold at a much higher price. The slave trade has ingrained the idea that black skin is not beautiful showing how dark-skinned people are often ostracised from society. Essentially, if you must be ‘mixed’ to be beautiful, then what does that really say about society? There is a racial dichotomy that has been created and we must break down the barriers in order to see progress.

The toxicity of colourism particularly within the black community is something that has occurred for years and a continuation is seen in our culture through degrading statements that are made. In Marian Edusei’s powerful short film, “Dark Skinned Girls”, she explores the toxic nature of colourism within the black community and even men from the black community are heard to make degrading comments such as, “No one likes dark-skinned girls bruv”. Sometimes, it be our own people. You see how dangerous it is? Society? Society is our biggest enemy. These negative stereotypes formulate narratives within the black community and without realisation, people begin to follow these stereotypes.

Studies in the US have shown that black women that have a lighter skin tone receive more lenient prison sentences in comparison to their dark-skinned counterparts; there are real-world consequences to colourism beyond desirability. In Nigeria, up to 77 percent of women use skin lightening products. What’s even worse is that countries within Africa and the Caribbean are promoting lighter and fairer skin, demonstrating that the effects have now been turned into ‘culture’ and it has almost been normalised, leading many others to conform (therefore explaining the high figures). This problem not only affects the black community greatly but also in Asia where there are pressures on them to be of a fairer skin tone as they are deemed to be more beautiful.

Colourism assumes that the lighter you are, the closer you are to looking white (often caused from seeking validation from white people). Again, this just comes to show that our world is dictated by white supremacy and patriarchy. It’s a shame that our society today still follow standards that are dictated by Eurocentrism. I, as a light skinned black woman discussing the damage caused by colourism, believe it would be really problematic to not acknowledge the privileges in a world that judges your self-worth according to your proximity to whiteness! This is not to say that having fairer skin means you are now protected from racism; however, we live in a white man’s world and there are unfortunately privileges that come with having light skin.

To continue without addressing the issues of colourism within the black community, is to allow the prejudice to continue. These discussions (involving the toxic traits and issues that lie within the black community) is not an attempt to further divide the black female community, but rather to strengthen our unity and to heal our community. Stop concealing the problems that exist and rather we should work together to change the world’s perception. We are powerful.

As beautifully quoted by Michaela Angela Davis: “Acting Like it [colourism] doesn’t exist doesn’t heal… It triggers a lot of black girl pain… It triggers a lot of bias… people don’t want to look at it. But this is the road to healing. This is the only way we’re going to feel whole: is we talk about where we’re fractured.”

Continue to love yourselves unapologetically!

Yours,

Yohanna x

A painting I did a couple of years back for my 'COLOURISM' project.

Feel beautiful in the skin you are in: another painting I did