Category
Textual or Investigative
Description
Colorism is a major concern in our society, including literature. Colorism excludes darker-complexioned people and perceives lighter complexion as more desired, favorable, and acceptable. In Alice Walker’s book, In Search of our Mothers’ Gardens, she defined colorism as, “preferential treatment of same-race people based solely on the color of their skin” (Myers, n.d.). This research presentation aims to explore how damaging colorism has been to ethnic communities and its impact on literature. Analyzing data on colorism found in Hispanic, Asian, Black, and Native American families will help provide context on the global phenomenon. Additionally, examining the correlation colorism has in literature by providing evidence of its influence in poetry, novels, plays, short stories, and more will further the claim. This end goal is to deepen others understanding of how detrimental colorism is and how writers shed light on it through works of literature. My research question will explore, “In what ways do works of literature amplify the issues of colorism and challenge colorist beauty standards prevalent in society?”
Many scholars trace colorism back to the origins of racism. “Ideas of white or light-skin supremacy have long been associated with status and privilege for light-skinned individuals and disdain for dark-skinned ones. “For colorism to occur, people must see fairly subtle differences of color and must attribute meaning to those differences.” (Hochschild, 2007).
Today, minorities experience colorism at heightened levels while many non-minorities adopt the dangerous “colorblind theory”. Colorism is a byproduct of systemic racism which is embedded into societal standards and structured as normalcy within every sector of the world. Being that literature is widespread, novels, poems, plays, and short stories have the power to influence readers. The impact of colorism explored through literature raises awareness and challenges people to rethink mindsets, customs, and behaviors that are harmful to those around them.
This research presentation aligns with a Christian worldview because Song of Solomon reveals how God is El Roi to even His dark-skinned creations. (New Living Translation, 1996/2015), Song of Solomon 1:5-6 states, “How right they are to adore you. I am dark but beautiful…Don’t stare at me because I am dark—the sun has darkened my skin.” In the scripture, the woman urges Solomon not to look at her because her skin is dark, revealing insecurity about her complexion. God allowed Solomon to find her deep complexion beautiful. He adored the beloved dark-skinned woman. Although the sun darkened her skin, Solomon still found favor and beauty within her. This scripture confirms that God is Elohim (The God Who Sees) and proves that even dark-skinned complexions are loved and beautiful. This scripture is evidence that biblical literature challenges colorist beauty standards too.
Amplifying the Issues of Colorism: How Literature Challenges Colorist Beauty Standards
Textual or Investigative
Colorism is a major concern in our society, including literature. Colorism excludes darker-complexioned people and perceives lighter complexion as more desired, favorable, and acceptable. In Alice Walker’s book, In Search of our Mothers’ Gardens, she defined colorism as, “preferential treatment of same-race people based solely on the color of their skin” (Myers, n.d.). This research presentation aims to explore how damaging colorism has been to ethnic communities and its impact on literature. Analyzing data on colorism found in Hispanic, Asian, Black, and Native American families will help provide context on the global phenomenon. Additionally, examining the correlation colorism has in literature by providing evidence of its influence in poetry, novels, plays, short stories, and more will further the claim. This end goal is to deepen others understanding of how detrimental colorism is and how writers shed light on it through works of literature. My research question will explore, “In what ways do works of literature amplify the issues of colorism and challenge colorist beauty standards prevalent in society?”
Many scholars trace colorism back to the origins of racism. “Ideas of white or light-skin supremacy have long been associated with status and privilege for light-skinned individuals and disdain for dark-skinned ones. “For colorism to occur, people must see fairly subtle differences of color and must attribute meaning to those differences.” (Hochschild, 2007).
Today, minorities experience colorism at heightened levels while many non-minorities adopt the dangerous “colorblind theory”. Colorism is a byproduct of systemic racism which is embedded into societal standards and structured as normalcy within every sector of the world. Being that literature is widespread, novels, poems, plays, and short stories have the power to influence readers. The impact of colorism explored through literature raises awareness and challenges people to rethink mindsets, customs, and behaviors that are harmful to those around them.
This research presentation aligns with a Christian worldview because Song of Solomon reveals how God is El Roi to even His dark-skinned creations. (New Living Translation, 1996/2015), Song of Solomon 1:5-6 states, “How right they are to adore you. I am dark but beautiful…Don’t stare at me because I am dark—the sun has darkened my skin.” In the scripture, the woman urges Solomon not to look at her because her skin is dark, revealing insecurity about her complexion. God allowed Solomon to find her deep complexion beautiful. He adored the beloved dark-skinned woman. Although the sun darkened her skin, Solomon still found favor and beauty within her. This scripture confirms that God is Elohim (The God Who Sees) and proves that even dark-skinned complexions are loved and beautiful. This scripture is evidence that biblical literature challenges colorist beauty standards too.
