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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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A study indicates that dark-skinned African Americans face a distinct disadvantage when applying for jobs. Matthew Harrison, a doctoral student at UGA undertook the first significant study of "colorism" in the workplace. He found that a light-skinned black male can have only a bachelor's degree and typical work experience and still be preferred over a dark-skinned black male with an M.B.A. and past managerial positions, simply because expectations of the light-skinned black male are much higher, and he doesn't appear as “menacing' as the darker-skinned male applicant.” This finding is possibly due to the common belief that fair-skinned blacks probably have more similarities with whites than do dark-skinned blacks, which in turn makes whites feel more comfortable around them. (Harrison

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The identity of the African has changed through each century since the first slaves were ripped from their native soil and brought to the gloomy shores of America. It began as lower than animals; not even being considered a human but, a possession unworthy of life unless privileged by their masters. Then, the eyes of the law considered them three fifths of a person not due to a change of heart, but because the slave population began to outnumber that of the whites. Next, the new freed African American were forced to jump head first into a society that refused to embrace them. It was not until the 1920s that the Negro established a sanctuary; a cultural safe haven in the busy streets of Harlem New York.

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Trina Jones claims that discrimination based on colorism is visible “also apparent in employment practices” (2000: 1513). According to her, colorism refers to a sort of a system that grants better possibilities and more powerfulness in various spheres of life to those that possess lighter complexions. The research conducted in terms of this dimension shows a profound influence of colorism on black women`s lives (Jones, 2000). Skin color prejudice may be perceived as a general reluctance to African Americans that was especially visible during the time of slavery

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African Americans are one of the largest ethnic groups in the United States and are primarily from West Africa. However, immigrants from the Caribbean, Central America, East Africa, and South Africa are also part of one of the largest cultural groups in the U.S. Many African American ancestors did not come by their free will; they were either sold or traded by slave traders. Throughout history, blacks have been mistreated and discriminated; understanding the history and the contributions made to American culture, allow practitioners to treat and counsel patients more effectively. African culture has significantly influenced American music, fine arts, and foods, by adding its unique flavor and flare.

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So colorism alludes to discrimination in view of skin color. Colorism hindrances dark-skinned individuals while privileging those with lighter skin color. Research has connected colorism to littler salaries, lower marriage rates, longer jail terms and less employment prospects for darker-skinned individuals (Golden, 2012). Besides, has existed for a considerable length of time both in and outside of black America. That makes it a constant type of discrimination that ought to be battled with the same criticalness that racism is.

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By using this reference, it illustrated the severity of the alienation of blacks in the Southern United States. In 1619, a Dutch ship “introduced the first captured Africans to America, planting the seeds of a slavery system that evolved into a nightmare of abuse and cruelty that would ultimately divide the nation”. The Africans were not treated humanely, but were treated as workers with no rights. Originally, they were to work for poor white families for seven years and receive land and freedom in return. As the colonies prospered, the colonists did not want to give up their workers and in 1641, slavery was legalized.

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Slavery’s destruction of identity, families, traditions and core values is currently one of the leading issues in The African American communities. The slave trade is highly responsible for breaking families and traditions which varied according to the different groups. Africans were forced to assimilate into the customs of the New World. Today, there are many blacks who are illiterate of their backgrounds and from whom they have a descended. They have continued to live by the traditions and religions they were forced into.

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Racial distinctions between Africans Americans and Caucasians have been used to justify significant differences in jobs, policing and housing, leading to great injustices. If we want to address those injustices we need to change the way we think about what our society needs to do in order to strive. The racial influence on finding jobs for African Americans in modern society still worsens as discrimination still decides who gets the job or the promotion. For example, if two qualified males of both races applied for a job the one who would be called up for the job is most likely the Caucasian male.

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