Black women’s experience of colorist microaggressions

Colorism and the Poetics of Resistance Among Black Youth: An Application of the Colorist-Historical Trauma Framework

“…For example, White people and people of Color with what are perceived as more “European” phenotypical features including skin color, eye color, hair texture, facial characteristics and body shape, receive undue social privilege and advantage (Hunter, 2007). Color-based disparities are perpetuated systemically and enacted within institutions, communities, and families (Hall & Crutchfield, 2018; Hannon et al, 2013). For example, in the United States where education is not just a public right but is a mandatory requirement for minors, access is implicitly aligned with colorist values (Shedd, 2015).…”

“…Colorism continues to impact the well-being of Blacks (Hall & Crutchfield, 2018). For example, lighter skin tone has been linked to lower sentencing, higher rates of schooling and higher income (Hannon et al, 2013).…”

“…Racial microaggressions, the subtle often unconscious put downs toward a group of people of Color by Whites has been described extensively (Sue, 2009). The distinctive feature of colorist microaggressions is that it can be perpetuated from outer group and within group; members who share the same racial or ethnic identity can be at fault (Hall & Crutchfield, 2018). Colorist microaggressions reinforces unearned privilege and internalized oppression; it is a mechanism of subjugation (Fanon, 1963; Freire, 1993; Pierce, et al, 1977).…”

“…Skin color, a virtually immutable biological characteristic, has been linked internationally to rates of morbidity, disparities in health status, rates of life satisfaction, income levels, educational attainment, and career trajectories (Hamilton, Goldsmith, & Darity, 2009; Hall & Crutchfield, 2018; Hunter, 2007). If considered superficially, how could skin, a basic physical organ of the human body, influence such essential life outcomes?…”

“…If considered superficially, how could skin, a basic physical organ of the human body, influence such essential life outcomes? It is because skin color has an ascribed sociological meaning, both intra- and inter-group (Hall & Crutchfield, 2018). Racism, a system of oppression that privileges Whites over other racial groups in society, manifests not only in interpersonal interactions between people of color and Whites, but also within institutions and sectors of society including education, healthcare, criminal justice, and economics among other sectors.…”