HOW SKIN-TONE BIAS AFFECTS RACIAL

EQUALITY?

“Colorism is a silent beauty issue no one is discussing about” -anyonmous. This is

how black and white colors are described: Black: dirty, soiled, sinister, evil,
associated with the Devil, calamitous, disastrous. White: innocent, favorable,
fortunate, free from moral impunity, free from spot or blemish. But, what is
colorism? The term “colorism” is believed to have been first coined in 1982 by
Pulitzer Prize-winner Alice Walker. It was defined by her as the “prejudicial or
preferential treatment of same-race people based solely on their color.
A mindset that sees dark skin as undesirable. Up until today unfair treatment and
discrimination to those people who have darker skin still exist. Colorism is an issue
that people are unaware about. We should be educated enough about colorism and
how badly it affects our society. An example of unfair treatment because of
colorism is, a business that refuses to hire dark-skinned person. This issue not only
applies to adults. Even kids with dark skin-tone recieves descrimination and badly
affect their confidence.With this matter, some people are suffering that even lead
to depression and suicidal behavior. Do you still think that we still should turn a
blind eye to this issue? Is this the society we want to continue  living in?
Colorism in Asia based on other studies, the Philippines is not the only country
heavily affected by the so-called colorism or the prejudice over skin tone color.
History of ‘colorism’ in the Philippines. The influence of our conquerors toward
skin color preference is also evident in Philippine literature that time, particularly
in Jose Rizal’s Noli Me Tangere. In the novel, brown or sun-kissed native Filipinos
or Indios are often ridiculed, even those with mixed Spanish and Filipino descent
like Crisostomo Ibarra and with high rank like Captain Tiyago. Meanwhile, fair-
skinned Spanish natives are deemed as respectable, regardless of background such
as the fake doctor Don Tiburcio and his wife, socialite Donya Victorina.

The average Filipino is not very light but not very dark either. We have very
“typical” Southeast Asian “Beige” to “Tan” skin tones. But some of the other
Filipino’s who have darker skin than others recieves unfair treatment and
discrimination however, those who have a lighter skin normally receive more
appriciation and compliments. These are some of the examples of colorism in
the Philippines:

Asia Jackson, a 24-year-old Filipino-American TV actress, has brought to light the

culture of skin color discrimination in the Philippines after she shared personal
experiences of being bullied for having dark complexion and curly hair. “Kids told
me I couldn’t join their games because I was maitim. I couldn’t have a single
conversation with anyone without someone mentioning how dark I was. Complete
strangers called me ‘bruja’ because of my hair texture. Imagine the effects that all
of this has on a child,” Jackson added.In, 2016 she started a social media campaign
called “Magandang Morena” or “beautiful brown skin” that aims to celebrate the
diversity of color in the Philippines, which includes brown or tan skinned
Filipinos. Despite receiving hate, Jackson still chose to be a person that anyone can
look up for. An inspiration to people who experienced the same discrimination can
now be confident because of Jackson.

Another example of colorism in the Philippines is by featuring conventionally

attractive, fair-skinned celebrities in advertisements, people are led to believe that
“we will become like her, because this very beautiful woman is using this product.
That is how mass media shapes our lives,” remarks by Arnado, a student in DSLU.
“A multi-billion dollar skin whitening industry exists because of it. Because of an
entertainment industry full of light-skinned half Filipinos and millions of dollars
being spent on whitening product ads & commercials, tan and brown Filipinos are
made to feel ashamed of who they are,” Asia Jackson.

This become more alarming as people did not notice how we encounter colorism in
our daily lives and we are not aware how we are brainwashed and influenced of the
colorism in social media. Colorism is not about blaming those people who has
lighter skin. It is about the mindset that conveys unfair treatment to the one’s that
has dark skin-tone. Ignorance in this matter should not be normalized. We MUST
take actions to end colorism! Colors are beautiful wheter it is brown or white.
Just like Asia Jackson, rather than focusing on hate, choose kindness and
empowerment. On that way, we can overcome those negativities. And Do NOT be
ashamed of who you are. Be an inspiration and role model. And give strength to
those who are longing for it.

“It is not our differences that divide us. It is our inability to recognize, accept
and celebrate those differences.” –Audre Lorde.

Preferences:
https://interaksyon.philstar.com/breaking-news/2018/06/11/128496/history-
behind-philippines-culture-colorism-skin-discrimination/
https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9781315819334-
7/ubiquitousness-colorism-kimberly-jade-norwood-violeta-solonova-
foreman