A JOURNAL OF COLOUR:
A CRITICAL ANALYSIS OF
COLOURISM TODAY
Date : Tuesday October 4th 2011.
Student Name: Meloney Whitney, A.W.C.C.A., B.S.W., M.S.W Candidate
WHAT IS ‘COLOURISM’?

Colourism is a form of discrimination that results not from racial
categorization, but rather values associated with skin colour itself which
as a result triggers differential treatment (Jones, 2000).

Photo: http://www.lyndsaycabildo.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/races.jpg
2
INTRARACIAL AND
INTERRACIAL COLOURISM

Colourism’ operates both intraracially and interracially. Herring (2004)
describes the definition and difference between these two key terms:


Interracial colorism occurs when members of one racial group
make distinctions based upon skin color between members of
another racial group. Intraracial colorism occurs when members
of a racial group make distinctions based upon skin color between
members of their own race (p.3).
My Practice Research Paper (PRP) focused on intraracial colourism
specifically within the Black community.
Photo: http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-6IzYew_E8Tg/Tejiyla3r2I/AAAAAAAAAE4/IEnMFbOBxJY/s1600/dark-skinlight-skin-pic_edited-3.jpg
3
ABSTRACT


The purpose of this research was to build a critical analysis of colourism, as a
contemporary form of colonialism, and as a devastating remnant from the legacy
of slavery. I sought to build a connection between our present day issues with
colourism, to colonization and slavery.
There were three tentative sub-questions that framed the approach to this
research statement, which were as follows:
1. How is colourism today related to historical remnants of slavery, and present
day colonialism?
2. In what ways are the Black community, and in particular individuals who are
dark skinned, affected by colourism?
3. How is colourism manifested and perpetuated daily?

Keywords: Colourism, Colonialism and Slavery
4
THEORETICAL FRAMEWORK


Critical Race Theory is the primary theoretical framework for my study.
This theory embraces the concept of the personal is political, even when
undertaking research and scholarly pursuits, and was an excellent choice
for this study as it promotes race –consciousness, and strives to advance a
social justice framework.
Crenshaw, K., Gotanda, N., Peller, G., & Thomas, K. (1995) explain that:
With its explicit embrace of race –consciousness, Critical Race Theory
aims to re-examine the terms by which race and racism have been
negotiated in American [and Canadian] consciousness, and to recover
and revitalize the radical tradition of race-consciousness among
African – Americans and other peoples of color – a tradition that was
discarded when integration, assimilation and the ideal of colorblindness became the official norms of racial enlightment (p. xiv).
5
LITERATURE REVIEW FINDINGS:



The literature on colourism, comes to a consensus that within racial and
ethnic groups, in particular within the Black community, colourism arose
out of colonial conquests and slavery.
Herring (2004) found that, “the legacy of colonialism, racial oppression
during slavery, legalized discrimination in the Jim Crow era, and de facto
segregation in the post-civil rights era have all functioned to create and
perpetuate skin color stratification in communities of color” (Herring,
2004, p.1 -2).
Similarly, Carpenter (2009) stated that, “slavery, as an institution as well
as a practice, not only promulgated colorism in terms of distinguishing
between black and white, but it also fostered qualitative judgments
regarding the gradations of skin color among African Americans” (p.19).
She adds that “the known facts, of course, are important to offer students
so that they can understand that rather than originating in the psyche of
African Americans, color-consciousness was born out of White racism
(Carpenter, 2009, p.18).
6
LITERATURE REVIEW FINDINGS:
HISTORICAL EXAMPLES OF
INTERRACIAL COLOURISM :
Colour caste system on the plantation :
Enslaved Blacks assigned tasks by colour (e.g. house
and field work)

Differential treatment affected one’s living
conditions, degree of violence from
overseers, educational opportunities etc.
(Hunter, 2004).
Slave Auction Block : Qualitative judgements
made concerning light and dark skin slaves; Prices of
slaves differed based on skin colour (Carpenter,
2009).

Lighter skin slaves served as a symbol of
wealth and prestige.
Privileges during and after slavery : White
plantation owners and legislators freed their own bi
–racial children, help them find jobs, start business,
give them property etc. (Russell et. Al, 1992).

Privileges granted to light skinned Blacks
under slavery and when free enabled them
to progress farther educationally and
occupationally (Russell et. Al, 1992).
Law : Blacks with with light-enough skin and
European features commonly got around the law by
simply passing as White (Russell et al., 1992, p.15).
HISTORICAL EXAMPLES OF
INTRARACIAL COLOURISM :


Segregated clubs: Restrictions set by the biracial community that stopped dark skinned
Blacks from joining and gaining membership in
variety of arenas.

(e.g.) social clubs, vacation resorts, and
within churches in the Black community
(Russell et. al, 1992).
Skin colour and hair tests: Skin colour tests
and even hair tests that were imposed on Black
families by other lighter skinned Blacks in
society.

Russell et al. (1992) informs that “at the
turn of the century, Black families wishing
to join a color-conscious congregation [e.g.
church] might first be required to pass the
paper –bag, the door, or the comb test”
(p.27).
Education system:

The education system was another area, in
which “perhaps the most insidious form of
color discrimination was found in Black
preparatory schools and colleges established
by and for the mulatto elite” (Russell et al.,
7
1992, p.28). Russell et al. (1992) stated that
“dark skinned Blacks were often denied
admission regardless of their academic
qualification” (p.28).
RESEARCH METHOD AND DESIGN
RESEARCH APPROACH



The methodological approach I used
to address the research problem
and questions were a qualitative
and exploratory method.
The autobiographical element to
this paper occurred through several
journal entries in which case I
documented the manifestations of
colourism that I have seen or that
have occurred in my life.
I also chose to include a few
secondary sources of data (e.g.
newspaper stories, online sources)
in which case personal accounts of
colourism and its impact were
discussed by other individuals of
colour.
DATA COLLECTION AND
ANALYSIS



The approach I took to analyzing
my journal entries was that of
thematic content analysis.
Completed journal entries and
gathered secondary data sources
over a period of three months.
Analyzed data by using thematic
coding. I coded the entries line by
line and eventually reduced the
amount of themes from the journal
entries to only a few major
categories, which are discussed in
my findings in chapter four.
8
FINDINGS:

The findings that emerged from the data revealed that, colourism today is
found to be related to historical remnants of slavery, and contemporary
forms of colonialism. The effects of colourism, especially intraracial
colourism, were found to have a significant impact on some individuals
within the Black community, but particularly those who are dark skinned
and female. The findings that emerged from the study revealed that
colourism can be manifested and perpetuated daily through a variety of
mediums (e.g. media, stereotypes, family biases, Whiteness, European
standards of ‘beauty’).
9
FINDINGS : SEVEN SECTIONS

My findings were discussed in seven sections that represented the most commonly
found themes that emerged from the data:








SECTION 1. Family and community
SECTION 2. Whiteness and Beauty Standards
SECTION 3. The Media
SECTION 4. Health and Well Being
SECTION 5. Relationships and Men
SECTION 6. Historical Connections Remain
SECTION 7. Social Work
EXAMPLE SECTION 1. Family and community :

This section discussed acts of intraracial colourism found within the journal
entries that took place within families and in the community. Findings from the
data displayed occurrences of family conflict due to intraracial colourism.
Teasing, name calling, alienation, and differential treatment due to one’s skin
colour was cited in the data. In sum, this section found that the family and
community perpetuation of intraracial colourism can leave fewer safe spaces
that are free from skin colour discrimination for some individuals within the
Black community (particularly those who have dark skin complexions).
10
A FEW ADDITIONAL FINDINGS:





The perception of beauty was at times perceived to be in conjunction with one having
light skin and European features, which was reflective of European standards.
The perceived correlation at times between beauty and white and light skin may help
fuel the global skin bleaching and skin whitening epidemic which was also an issue
found in the data. This also speaks to the issue of commodity racism, which connects
this issue back to the colonial history and the slave trade, as well as the mass media
racism and colourism that emerged in the 1800’s.
Media images and messages through music, film and television were found in the
data to perpetuate and endorse skin colour biases towards white and light skin
colours, and reinforce stereotypes based on skin colour.
An individual’s health and wellbeing were also found to be impacted by intraracial
colourism which may or may not lead to diminished levels of self –esteem depending
on an individuals circumstance. There were socioeconomic impacts that were also
found, which pointed to research findings that revealed that dark skin may lead to
less socioeconomic opportunities and greater disadvantages in comparison to having
lighter skin complexions.
Intraracial colourism was found to continue to create dividing practices today
between Black men and women and also can negatively impact relationships
between Black women. It was found that whether done consciously or not, Black men
also play an integral role in perpetuating intraracial colourism especially towards
Black women.
11
CONCLUSION


The issue of colourism is very complex and the intersectionality’s of race,
class, gender, ability, and sexual orientation, can further complicate and
interrogate this issue.
The findings from this study point to the importance of raising
consciousness about colourism, both interracially and intraracially
through education on this issue. The chief recommendation I have, is for
increased education and consciousness raising within communities of
colour, regarding the history of colourism, its connection to contemporary
manifestations of the issue, as well as the effects and impacts that result
from skin colour biases and prejudices.
To end, my hope for this paper was to build an awareness, which aimed to
promote social justice efforts for those who are affected by colourism. I
sought to bring light to the impact and experiences of colourism as faced by
some Black individuals in the Black community. This paper was also my
attempt to push back at contemporary colonial violence, as perpetuated
through acts of colourism.
12
REFERENCES:







Carpenter, C.F. (2009). Addressing “the complex”-ities of skin color: Intra-racism and the plays of
hurston, kennedy, and or landersmith. Theatre Topics, 19(1), 15-27.
Crenshaw, K., Gotanda, N., Peller, G., & Thomas, K. (1995) Critical Race Theory: The Key
Writings that Formed the Movement. New York: New Press.
Harris, A.P. (2008) From Color line to color chart? : Racism and colorism in the new century.
Berkeley Journal of African American Law & Policy, x(1), 52 – 69.
Herring, C. (2004) Skin deep: Race and complexion in the “color-blind” era. In C. Herring, Keith,
V.M., & Horton, H, D (Eds.), Skin deep: How race and complexion matter in the “colorblind” era (pp. 1-21). Urbana and Chicago: University of Illinois at Chicago.
Hunter, M. (2004) Light, bright, and almost white: The advantages and disadvantages of light
skin. In C. Herring, Keith, V.M., & Horton, H, D (Eds.), Skin deep: How race and
complexion matter in the “color-blind” era (pp. 22-44). Urbana and Chicago: Loyola
Marymount University.
Jones, T. (2000). Shades of brown: The law of skin color. Duke Law Journal, 49 (1487), 1487 –
1557.
Russell, K., Wilson, M., & Hall, R. (1992).The color complex: The politics of skin color among
African Americans. New York: Anchor Books A Division of Random House Inc.
13
RACISM VS. COLOURISM
Q and A: What’s the difference between racism and colourism?

Racism and colourism represent two different, but overlapping systems of
oppressions. Harris (2008) clears up the variances between the two, in the
following excerpt:
Conceptually, then, although it may in some circumstances make
sense to analytically distinguish colorism from racism, race and color
are not two different things. Rather, what we know as traditional
racism and what we now recognize as colorism represent related ways
to assign status and stigma. Traditional racism places a higher value
on ancestry than colorism; traditional racism assigns people to
discrete racial categories, while colorism assigns people to places
along a spectrum from dark to light, indigenous or African to
European (p.61).
14