Colorism

Whose Responsibility is it?

Written by Raquel Belt

Editor: A. Mason

“You wouldn’t understand, you are light skinned with hair” was the bold response I received on a social media post. It’s been weeks and the words still resonate. I replied apologetically, “I am sorry some white man hurt you and made you feel bad about your skin tone.” Insensitive and condescending now that I think about it.

Before you beat me up, hear me out. Understand colorism is not on the forefront of every light skinned person’s mind. From a personal perspective, I’ve always felt that everyone who looks black is acknowledged as black, end of discussion. My fight with hue has never been within the black community. I don’t even consider myself light skinned! I am a beautiful shade of caramel that turns into a warm bronze in the summer. I assumed I wasn’t light skinned because I was not “yellow”. The chocolate sistahs were quick to correct me.

So, let me break it down for the people who were as ignorant as me. Light skin is often picked over darker tones, despite ethnicity. If a group of women/men with the same credentials applied for the same position, the one who can “blend” with the Caucasians will be hired. Pay attention to commercials and roles that are cast, you will begin to notice the Black person has lighter skin or is mixed. Which is seen as less intimidating.

I had to dig deep to find the patience to talk about the privilege of my skin tone. In my natural defensive state, I couldn’t believe I was “Privileged”. I pay the same black tax as every other person of color. Afraid of going against a white person in any setting. How dare my own people see me as a competitor! 

Colorism-whose responsibility is it? Because in order for me to take ownership, there has to be something I can do about it. There are white actors and actresses who refuse roles if their Black co-stars are not offered the same pay. Hunny, if I walk in any place of employment and demand my darker toned coworkers get the same pay, I’d just be out of a job. How do you cater to something when the issue is residue of a mentality way before your time? 

During slavery -yes, we have to go there- light skinned slaves could work in the house. Seed of colorism planted. Then free Black people lived amongst those still enslaved. Seed of status planted. These are the main reasons the community is often trying to outdo one another with Gucci belts they can’t afford, and lighter skin is more acceptable. (We will save the status argument for another blog).

Now, save the backlash and be reasonable. How is it lighter skin has to be sensitive to darker skin? A dark skin woman said, “light skinned people are snobs, think they are better when they are just products of rape”. I could go on, but you get the point. Could it be the seed planted by the oppressor has grown into an automatic response of hatred for your own people? Had we never been divided by tone, would we even notice? Why is this issue more important to those with darker skin, when light skinned people are still looked at as “colored”? Is there a hint of self-hatred because of the privilege of being a house slave over a field slave? 

I acknowledge that lighter skin is seen as less intimidating, and I sympathize to all those who are upset about it. Outside of that, what is it the lighter skinned community supposed to do? Who is supposed to take responsibility for a divide that they know nothing about? Why am I any different, because I am certainly not treated the same as “Becky”. My Black tax is still the same percent, and why the hell is there a light skinned community? 

This divide is created by us, why not eradicate it? The power to dig up the seeds planted is ours, yet the shovels stay buried under a divided front of who has more privilege.  

Share your solution 

-Caramel Queen