Abstract
Colorism has been a historical racial dilemma for the African American community since slavery. Colorism can be defined as a form of bias, based upon different aspects of physical appearance including skin color, facial features, and hair that favors the facial appearance of Caucasian white Americans (Beopple, 2015). Over the last 10 years quantitative and qualitative data has been gathered to study the effect of colorism on the African American community with a specific focus on the psychological well-being of this population. A survey was conducted to evaluate the effects of colorism on African American women and their self-esteem and self-perception. A total of 25(N=25) surveys were gathered of women, ages 18-50, who all identified as black, African American or a person of color. The analyzed research results concluded that colorism, although has negatively impacted many participants, has not lowered or altered their self esteem or self perception.
Highlights
Introduction of StudyColorism is defined as the tendency to perceive or behave towards members of a racial category based on the lightness or darkness of their skin tone according to Heckstall’s findings, (Heckstall, 2013)
The effects of colorism is believed to have a lasting impact on the African American community
The data shows that many people believe that the media does not well represent every skin tone and complexion and this could be a reason behind the prominence in colorism
Summary
Colorism is defined as the tendency to perceive or behave towards members of a racial category based on the lightness or darkness of their skin tone according to Heckstall’s findings, (Heckstall, 2013). Most research looks in depth into the mental or psychological effects of the American culture that has consistently supported the colorist system. This colorist system valuing lighter skin tones of black people in society (Beopple, 2015). There is an increased value of white features like light skin and straight hair It is believed, Caucasian people being more privileged over darker complexions, has enabled skin color stratification to continually operate in today’s society. Over the last 10 years quantitative and qualitative data has been gathered to study the effect of colorism on the African American community with a specific focus on the psychological well-being of this population. Identify and evaluate how the looking glass self-theory plays a role in the effects of colorism
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