At a discussion about colorism and racism on Wednesday, held by Trinity’s Black Student Union, students came to the consensus that colorism is almost worse than racism.
The meeting was the last event of the group’s Mocha Month, a month long celebration of blackness and black students.
At the discussion, students pointed out that colorism is stereotyping, distinct from racism. It focuses on skin color, regarding lighter skin colors as more preferable than darker colors. Colorism is especially an issue within the black communities, whereas racism comes from outside these communities and is based on race as a whole, rather than just skin tone.
Many students involved in the discussion reported that they encountered colorist attitudes from their family, such as wanting children to have light skin tones.
“When I was able to see what other people were doing to themselves, to change their skin color, [it became] a prevalent issue to me,” said Tahlar Rowe, president of Black Student Union.
Unlike racism, which is a rather broad issue, colorism is a series of microaggressions that people of color face every day, from friends, family, and strangers alike.
Stacy Davidson, faculty advisor to the BSU and director for Academic Support, advised students to challenge microaggressions like colorism "in a way that’s not confrontational.” “Just asking people ‘Well, what makes you think that?’ or ‘Where did you get that from?’,” said Davidson. “So then they have to try to figure out what’s the source of this sort of implicit bias or preference for one or the other.”
She encouraged the students to “focus on your sphere of influence, in terms of creating change. If it’s wearing on you, then stop.”
This event concluded Trinity’s black history month, which has featured events such as a soul food Rent party, a performance by world-renowned dance troupe Step Afrika, as well as weekly tabling to raise awareness of Sickle Cell Anemia, an inherited anemia common among African Americans.
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