Colorism Vs Racial Discrimination

Synthesis Essay

Discrimination is a persistent problem that many face throughout their lifetime. Many don’t know the difference between colorism and racial discrimination. Colorism is the process of discrimination that light skinned people are more privileged than dark skinned people. Racial discrimination is that regardless of the physical appearance, the African Americans of all skin tones are discriminated in some way. These two systems of discrimination are not the same but are connected in some ways. In The Persistent Problem of Colorism: Skin Tone, Status and Inequality, they say that light skinned have more benefits than darker skinned people. Also, in the novel, To Kill a Mockingbird, the Tom Robinson case is affected by discrimination

It is a prejudice against individuals with a dark skin tone, who are among people of the same ethnic group. Colorism disadvantages dark-skinned people, while privileging those with lighter skin. Colorism is closely related to smaller incomes, lower marriage rates, longer prison terms and fewer job prospects for darker-skinned people. "Scout," said Atticus, "nigger-lover is just one of those terms that don't mean anything—like snot-nose. It's hard to explain—ignorant, trashy people use it when they think somebody's favoring Negroes over and above themselves. It's slipped into usage with some people like ourselves, when they want a common, ugly term to label somebody." "You aren't really a nigger-lover, then, are you?" "I certainly am. I do my best to love everybody... I'm hard put, sometimes—baby, it's never an insult to be called what somebody thinks is a bad name. It just shows you how poor that person is, it doesn't hurt you.” Atticus is explaining to Scout that people only try to bring others down because they aren’t happy themselves. The town was against Tom Robinson because he was black, but he was true. He was a honest person who did work to make a little amount of money to survive. He lives in a small place where he was satisfied with what he had. Tom did not have any intentions towards Mayella, and was being accused of a crime that he did not commit. People in town were accusing Tom because they think that

Racism has been used as a powerful way that is encouraging hatred of others in times of conflict. “Not only a Finch waiting on tables but one in the courthouse lawing for niggers!” Jem stiffened. Mrs. Dubose’s shot had gone home and she knew it: “Yes indeed, what has this world come to when a Finch goes against his raising? I’ll tell you! She put her hand to her mouth, When she drew it away, it trailed a long silver thread of saliva. “Your father’s no better than the niggers and trash he works for!” (135). Mrs. Dubose was mad at Jem and Scout for hanging around town on a Saturday. She was not in a good mood and said that Maudie Atkinson saw them breaking down her scuppernong harbor that morning. Jem told Scout to ignore her and keep their heads high. Then she brought up the case where Atticus was defending Tom and says that Atticus is not any better than the people that he is defending. Atticus was getting hate for defending a black man who was accused for something he didn’t do. He was just doing his job and because of that the society was against him. His social reputation was ruined because he was simply defending a man for an