Akera Riggins
Sep 1, 2018 · 5 min read

LIGHT OR DARK, COLORISM IS AMONGST US

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COLORISM-a form of prejudice or discrimination in which people are treated differently based on social meanings attached to skin color.

As years progress society changes the idea of what’s rightand what’s wrong. Everyday challenges make it hard forone to know what it’s like to encounter other’s issues. Speaking about a topic that is lightly touched on, can help many see through a perspective other than their own.Colorism stands out too many within different cultures,but specifically African Americans. The concept that a person with more Melanin (the dark brown to black pigment in the hair, skin and iris of the eye, responsible for tanning of skin exposed to sunlight) than another significantly meant they were of less value was a previous topic discussed throughout the 19th century. To not confuse you on racism with colorism, although I can state they may have some similarities, when discrimination is coming from someone within your own culture, ethnicity, race and or background that’s where the question marks come in as to how could one be “discriminating” against someone of their kind? Think of it as a disownment to that community, almost as if they don’t “fit in”. Shades of skin tone separate a high and low standard of wealth, and or worth even IF backgrounds are the same.

So why is that? Have you ever noticed careers like Actor/Actress, oranything within the media/public industries prefer to cast someone with lighter skin tones versus darker because the stereotype of “darker skin is directly related to higher crime rates or violent issues” can’t be found within their business or reputation? Bias structures limit the ability of EVERY person with EVERY skin shade to have an equal opportunity at anything, according to Law professor Jerry Kang at UCLA who states teachers with unchecked implicit biases are likely to interpret student behavior and performance through the prism of stereotypes that can have long-term effects on how students see themselves, and on their opportunities.”[https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/fall-2015/whats-colorism] The controversial idea of “light-skin” and “Dark-skin” is a wonder factor to think where’d that even come from? Humorous attention is grasped from this idea, but many don’t realize its disturbing to think that 2 African Americans or any race for that matter can be against one another all because of a genetic factor in which your skin decides to produce a certain amount of melanin versus the next person.

©image by Inequality design on word press.com

Statistics like the one above gives a shocking comparison on how colorism can affect a direct relationship between dark skin tones relating more to violent, problematic issues than light skin tones. Comparisons like this put a dent into the minds of young colored individuals who begin to comprehend the issue at hand. For the parents out there, inform your children about the hardships in the African American and any other “dark-skinned” community, and how to deal with the drastic measures of being isolated into a society that defines who you are and what you’re worth.

If you’d like to review more on this topic click the video below to see how Pratyusha Pilla, encountered and delt with colorism.

Akera Riggins

Professor Perkins

ENC 1101–126

August 31st,2018

Narrative for : “Light or Dark, colorism is among us”

My purpose, and structure for this essay was to make it as appealing as possible within today’s media and news. For my voice to be heard and point to get across, I wanted to incorporate relatable evidence from real life scenarios, so that others can witness the harsh reality of what colorism is, which is why I linked the video of a young woman explaining her experience to show that it can happen to anyone, at anytime. I wanted to give examples on when you or someone you know may have encountered colorism and wasn’t aware of it. It’s a growing social issue that I feel should be addressed more, so many can be informed about how society is molding into horrific changes.

Being sure to include rhetorical appeals that fit the standards of pathos, logos and ethos was new, but as I continued the essay I noticed it became natural to appeal to my audience in a credible, logical and emotional way. The topic discussed at hand was already a sensitive subject for me, being that I myself am an African-American woman and speaking on it brought out many wondering thoughts about myself and who I am, to be able to fit in a society where they place labels on you. By having this advantage of being a part of the overlying issue, I was able to appeal to readers in an ethical way by letting them see that I was as close as they could get to the inside truth. There for, showing my information was credible enough to believe. Logically I was able to show readers how someone of higher authority than myself (Law professor Jerry Kang at UCLA), can explain a certain topic that studies help show how much of an effect this issue has on the ones targeted. Pathologically, I was able to dig deep into the feelings and emotions of viewers by providing a graph that gives statistical information on how a comparison of skin color is what determines behavioral issues within adolescents. This limits the “darker-skinned” children on being able to have as equal of an opportunity as the “lightest-skin” kid in their class. They begin having second thoughts on themselves, and now… sadly their confidence is shot down at the age of 7 years old because of what society purposely categorizes them as.

My goal was to use certain objects, i knew could extend out to my readers more intentionally so they would understand the motive and point. Being that I was targeting a more age appropriate audience I had to think of unique ways to reach out and grasp the attention of ALL races to understand. Whether you’re a victim of the situation or not, it’s important to have knowledge on everyday things occurring in the real world so that not only you can be prepared to face these issues but also, so you can spread the significance of this incident everywhere you go.

WORKS CITED:

http://georgehwilliams.pbworks.com/w/page/14266873/Ethos-Pathos-Logos-The-3-Rhetorical-Appeals

Inequalitydesign-wordpress.com

Hubpages.com

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_L4-mOJWhIE

https://www.tolerance.org/magazine/fall-2015/whats-colorism