The "human colour" crayon: investigating the attitudes and perceptions of learners regarding race and skin colour

Abstract

Some coloured and black learners in South Africa use a light orange or pink crayon to represent themselves in art. Many learners name this colour "human colour" or "skin colour". This is troublesome, because it could reflect exclusionary ways of representing race in images and language. This case study, conducted with two schools in the western Cape, investigated grade 3 learners' attitudes and perceptions regarding race and skin colour through art processes and discussion. The aim was to promote critical engagement with race in Foundation Phase educational contexts. Suggestions include changing the language used to describe skin colour, just recognition and representation of races in educational resources and the promotion of critical citizenship education. This research indicates the need to create practical curriculum guidelines to discuss race issues in the South African classroom.

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Availability across the Spectrum of Human Skin Colors

“…While this paper will specifically be considering the consequences of colorism in OTC hearing aids, the impact of the effect must be understood to contextualize these consequences, especially as colorism permeates many different aspects of everyday life. The effects of colorism are so far-reaching that it has even been documented that children in South Africa are more likely to use lighter crayons when drawing self-portraits despite them not matching their own darker skin tones [ 16 ]. With society often promoting and valuing relatively lighter euro-centric skin, large communities of people can feel unrepresented and can begin to internalize the idea that dark skin is not “pretty” or “worthy” of appreciation [ 17 ].…”