Colorism: A Harmful Ideology

With the many harmful ideologies that exist in our society, colorism still influences the negative treatment of people of color. For those unfamiliar with what colorism is, it is that people with lighter skin are seen as better and receive preferential treatment compared to people who have darker skin. People with lighter skin tend to have more privileges, including more job opportunities and paid higher wages than darker skinned people, even when their education and experiences are similar (Monk, 2015).

Colorism has existed for many centuries, starting during the time of colonialism and slavery. European beauty standards became the norm with the colonization of the United States, making lighter skin be seen as superior (Hunter, 2007). During the time of slavery, lighter skinned slaves were usually treated better and assigned less labor-intensive tasks (Norwood, 2013). In South Asia, colorism is entrenched in the caste system, with lighter skinned people usually belonging to a higher caste, while darker skinned individuals typically are part of the lower caste (Mishra, 2015).

The beauty industry has unfortunately helped perpetuate colorism by creating skin-lightening products to make someone’s skin lighter.  The skin bleaching industry is projected to reach $8.9 billion by 2027, showcasing the sad reality that many people feel they need to lighten their skin to be seen as beautiful in our society (Grand View Research, 2020). Not only are these products harmful for people’s psyche, but they also contain mercury, hydroquinone, and corticosteroids, which increase the chances of skin cancer, permanent skin thinning, and kidney damage (Mire, 2020)

The media and entertainment industry has also focused on showcasing lighter skinned people, making them be seen as more beautiful and talented than their darker skinned counterparts. There has been a lack of representation of people with darker skin in popular culture. Greater strides have been made to show needed diversity in the entertainment industry, but more representation is needed to show that all skin colors are beautiful.

Colorism not only makes people dislike their skin colors, but it also makes them dislike their facial features and hair texture. People who do not fit Eurocentric beauty standards are wrongly seen as less beautiful than people who fit those beauty standards. Many people of color feel pressure to fit those standards, including feeling the need to straighten their hair. I know many people who have damaged their hair due to overly straightening it and using harmful chemicals to make it look straight. Some people have also lost their natural curl pattern.  It’s sad that people feel the need to alter their natural features to make themselves more attractive in our society. There is nothing wrong with anyone’s skin color, hair, or facial features, but something very wrong with our society that makes people dislike themselves.

In my personal experience as a woman of color, I have seen how colorism has damaged people’s ideas of beauty.  Having conversations with other people of color, it’s sad colorism has affected many different communities, including Black, Latino, Asian, Middle Eastern, etc. I have met many people of color who feel they must alter themselves to match these Eurocentric beauty standards. It’s important that we continue to talk about the horrible effects of colorism and continue to teach people that all skin colors are beautiful. There is no racial superiority or anyone better than anyone because their skin color is lighter. Helping people correct their own biases is important and having more representation in the media and entertainment industry is needed. Teaching young children that they are beautiful no matter how they look is important to helping them have strong self-esteem and not feel pressured to conform to harmful beauty standards.

 References:

Grand View Research. (2020). Skin Lightening Products Market Size Worth $8.9 Billion By 2027. Grand View Research.

Hunter, M. L. (2007). The Persistent Problem of Colorism: Skin Tone, Status, and Inequality. Sociology Compass, 1(1), 237-254.

Mishra, R. (2015). Caste, Gender and Color: The Indian Scenario. Journal of South Asian Studies, 3(2), 101-113.

Mire, A. (2020). "The Global Skin-Lightening Industry: A Derivative of Colonialism." The Routledge Companion to Beauty Politics. Routledge.

Monk, E. P. (2015). The Consequences of ‘Race and Color’ in Brazil. Social Problems, 62(3), 441-465.

Norwood, K. J. (2013). Color Matters: Skin Tone Bias and the Myth of a Postracial America. Routledge.