The term Colorism was coined by Alice Walker in 1982, it describes the prejudices and discrimination because of skin color within a race. An example of this would be the ongoing conflict of lighter skin versus darker skin within the African American community.
The infamous line "light skin's the right skin" sums up this phenomenon in one sentence. Colorism puts forth an ideal beauty and differs for men and women. Images of men often include tall, darker toned, and good looking men, which gives us the "tall, dark, and handsome" saying. For women, it is the complete opposite. Images of women include lighter skin, long flowing hair, and often times, a larger bust and hips. Music videos are notorious for this message. There seems to be an endless cast of women with that exact look, very rarely will the lead girl in a video vary from it. On television shows a darker woman is more likely cast to play the mean, jealous, single friend, to the flirtatious, curvy, beautiful lighter friend. These interpretations of skin tone coney messages that lighter is better. |
It is said that Lyda Lewis lost a pageant because she was too white. She was of a lighter complexion and had long hair, and was no doubt beautiful. Based on the images of women shown in today's media, if she were to compete in that same pageant, she probably would have won it.
Images of black women in the media & examples of colorism:
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