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Examples Of Colorism In African American Culture

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“The African American culture is diverse, immersed, and influenced from its African roots. Dating back to the days of slavery, where the majority was captured from the upper Guinea Coast, Angola, the Bight of Biafra, and western/central Africa” (The Abolition of the Slave trade, n.d.). Though African slaves tried holding on to ancestral roots from each country they were taken from, it was not accepted by their slave owners. They made a point to group and separate the slaves on the ships based on their various lands of capture as they did not want slaves to become unified. This was done to assure a bond would not take place and cause a confrontation from their slaves; in hopes of freedom. The separation of the slaves by slave-owners however; …show more content…

It is equally important to note that it has been an equally oppressive element among other minority cultures as well. In, the journal, “What’s Colorism” it states colorism is skin color stratification”. It is a “form of oppression that is expressed through the differential treatment of individuals and groups based on skin color”. “Typically, favoritism is demonstrated toward those of lighter complexions while those of darker complexions experience rejection and mistreatment” (Okazawa Rey, Robinson, & Ward, …show more content…

“The worker needs to be respectful of a client’s thoughts and feelings when they speak of past and present encounters and not judge the validity of whether these feelings are warranted” (Graham, Sorenson, Hayes- Skelton, n.d). As a result, a worker would need to have an understating that colorism is one that runs generations old and comparatively deep. Almost all African Americans have been influenced or shaped by this division in one way or another. According to Hunter (1998), “Skin color continues to shape the lives of within the Global Black community” … It took generations to be put in place but it does not have to take generation to be dismantled... As long as the structure of White racism remains intact, colorism will continue to operate…” (Hunter, 1998). When a client presents this to a worker as it is affecting their life, specific Evidence Based practices will need alterations to best assist the

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