Understanding Colorism Across Communities
Photo by Steven Jones on Unsplash
Discrimination can take many forms, often isolating individuals based on their identity, a reality all too familiar for many women of color. This becomes more complex when discrimination is then broken into subsets. Colorism is characterized by the inherent stereotypes attributed to people as a result of their skin tone. It is not lost on me that the undertones of being treated more harshly for having a deeper complexion are rooted in the contempt society historically has for being Black.
Growing up, I experienced racism often. Whether it was the tone people used to speak to me, the specific language used in reference to me, or the looks given when I walked into a store, I am no stranger to prejudice. However, I noticed that while I experienced racism, the degree would often vary depending on my proximity to someone with a lighter complexion and/or deeper complexion. I attributed this generally to misogynoir, discrimination that exists at the intersection of being both Black and a woman. Overall, though, I noticed how rampant colorism was in our society and that it trickled into every industry, including film.
In examining colorism in Hollywood, it becomes clear that the phenomenon of fairer-skinned people being more desirable is as prevalent as ever. From a sociological perspective, privilege is characterized by access to things simply because of your identity. In film castings, lighter-skinned actresses or biracial women are often hired more often than dark-skinned women with Afrocentric features. A study by the Geena Davis Institute on Gender in Media found that nearly 80% of Black female characters in film have light or medium skin tones, indicating a significant underrepresentation of darker-skinned women.
Still from In the Heights (2021), directed by Jon M. Chu. Warner Bros. Pictures.
While this occurs for Black actresses, it is not exclusive to this group. The 2021 musical film adaptation of In the Heights, for example, was the center of discourse for its lack of dark-skinned Afro-Latino actors. Within indigenous communities, colorism manifests as a preference for lighter skin tones. This is influenced by colonial histories and Eurocentric beauty standards. This bias affects casting decisions, often sidelining darker-skinned Indigenous actresses. In both South and East Asia, it is known that lighter-skinned characters have success and are desirable, while the dark-skinned characters are generally underrepresented. Charithra Chandran, who is a British actress of Indian Tamil heritage, delved into this with Teen Vogue, stating:
“No one let me forget that I was dark-skinned growing up. My grandma was very light-skinned. Whenever we’d go around in India, they’d always say, ‘Oh, you’d be pretty if you had your grandmother’s coloring.’ ‘Shame about the color of her skin.’ ‘She’s pretty for being dark-skinned.’ All of these comments, all the time.”
In India, beauty standards are deeply intertwined with skin tone, and this preference for fair skin is particularly evident in the entertainment industry. Bollywood has long favored light-skinned actresses, often casting them in leading roles while darker-skinned women remain underrepresented. This bias is reinforced not only through casting choices but also by the widespread promotion of skin-lightening products like Fair & Lovely. In Asia, the popularity of skin-lightening creams reflects a deep-rooted cultural association between lighter skin and beauty, status, and success. Despite health concerns and growing criticism, the demand for these products remains strong, especially among younger consumers influenced by film media. This global pattern of colorism shows how Eurocentric beauty standards continue to shape perceptions across cultures.
Colorism remains prevalent, as it is a byproduct of discrimination. Colorism is deeply ingrained in worldwide culture and impacts the way people are perceived. Lighter skin is seen as the ideal and prioritized in comparison to deeper skin tones. This isn’t just a casting issue. It’s a cultural failure that reinforces harmful rhetoric across race, gender, and ethnicity. In a world where representation has the power to affirm or erase, it is imperative that we confront these biases head-on. Have you experienced or witnessed colorism in your own life? If so, how did it make you feel? Were you able to combat the feeling?
