COLOURISM 

1. The prejudice and discrimination against individuals of a darker skin tone, typically among the same ethnic group.

I’m sure I’m not the only black woman who is tired of hearing ‘you’re pretty for a black girl’, ‘I don’t usually go for black girls but...’ or being completely overlooked and ignored when out and about with mixed race/lighter skinned girl friends. As if beautiful and black are opposing words and its absurd for them to be in the same sentence. Shockingly, these words have usually come from of black men not only non black men. Of course there are many black men who don't subscribe to colourism, but there are a select few who have developed this 'light is right' mindset. Rappers such as Drake, Chris Brown, Lil Wayne and N.W.A, to name a few, have promoted violence, misogyny and hatred towards black women through their lyrics, which are all harmful concepts to the black community especially when young and impressionable boys and girls are listening. Suggesting that if change was to come, this is where it would begin.

Whilst we may advocate to abolish colourism in the black community, its still something that we didn't create therefore we can not eradicate it alone. The primary culprit is white supremacy. Colourism is a legacy of slavery, that placed lighter skinned/ mixed race slaves above darker skinned slaves. It is continuously perpetuated in society through the actors chosen to play roles on mainstream TV being predominately white and if they are black they are usually mixed race or light skinned. Colourism is also visible in the lack of representation by make up brands, until very recently it was extremely difficult for dark skinned women to find their shade in drugstores such as Superdrug or Boots.

DSTRKT, night club in central London, is regularly visited by A list celebrities has become embroiled in racism due to alleged discrimination against black girls at the door. The controversy began back in 2015 when women were declined access into the club for being too dark. The incident raised issues around colourism and institutional racism that had been brushed under the carpet for years. Following several protests black rappers Tinchy stryder and Omarion have refused to attend the night club . The club tried to deny it, but there is no smoke without fire.

Its important to note that colourism is not something only black women experience or have been victim to. Black men also experience it and have to deal with it.

The rise of social media has led to a rise in the celebration of all black women. It has increased the representation of all women, all shapes, shades and sizes. It’s so beautiful to see an abundance of melanin and self love within the black community. Colourism in the black community is what has contributed to issues such as the DSTRKT situation. So lets stop this prejudice and discrimination in our own communities.