Shades of black Life and Style

Shades of black Life and style 

Why we asked 27 black women to speak out on taboo of colorism Guardian US’s new series will explore the discrimination based on skin complexion that exists within the black community Share your experience of colorism: use #ShadesofBlack on social media Have you experienced colorism? Share your story here The Guardian’s ‘Shades of black’ series looks into the politics of skin color among black Americans. The Guardian’s ‘Shades of black’ series looks into the politics of skin color among black Americans. Illustration: Guardian Design Summer Sewell, Dream McClinton and Jessica Reed Mon 8 Apr 2019 06.00 BST You already know black American women are paid considerably less than white men; that young black men are five times more likely to be incarcerated as white youth; and that black children are suspended from school at a much higher rate than white children. This is how racism works. But what is less discussed is another “ism” that also derives from slavery. “Colorism” is the discrimination against individuals with a dark skin tone. This means that darker skinned black people have to fight prejudice even within their own community, where lighter skin is seen as more desirable. As such, darker skinned black people can experience both racism and colorism. For one week, Guardian US will explore this little-explored topic through the lens of 27 black women – writers, illustrators, photographers, activists, artists and mothers. The series is called Shades of Black. Using data from The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, US sociologists found a clear correlation between how dark a student’s skin is and the probability that they would be suspended. Source: Lance Hannon et al, Race and Social Problems, 2013 Using data from The National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, US sociologists found a clear correlation between how dark a student’s skin is and the probability that they would be suspended. Source: Lance Hannon et al, Race and Social Problems, 2013 Illustration: Mona Chalabi/Guardian US This subject remains taboo, as colorism is the result of centuries of white supremacy in America, where lightness of skin has associations with wealth and power. That so many Americans impacted by racism can also be impacted by colorism is an issue rarely discussed, but the impacts are profound. Dream McClinton, a contributing editor on this project, says that while writing her piece, Dark-skinned Black Girls Don’t Get Married, she felt drained and defeated. “Hearing the levels of oppression women and others like me face for something so mundane and arbitrary like skin tone, there were moments where I would require a hug or just walk away from my desk altogether.” But throughout this series, dark skinned black women spoke openly about reclaiming their worth in spite of a system that has been holding them back for so long. Using data drawn from the Multi City Study of Urban Inequality and the National Survey of Black Americans, researchers found an interracial *and* an intraracial wage gap. The professors studied the wages of men aged 19–65 who were working, not self-employed, and earning less than $100k per year. They found that white men earned more than poc men, but lighter-skinned black men earned more than those with darker skin too. Source: Arthur H. Goldsmith et al, The Journal of Human Resources 42(4), 2007 Using data drawn from the Multi City Study of Urban Inequality and the National Survey of Black Americans, researchers found an interracial *and* an intraracial wage gap. The professors studied the wages of men aged 19–65 who were working, not self-employed, and earning less than $100k per year. They found that white men earned more than POC men, but lighter-skinned black men earned more than those with darker skin too. Source: Arthur H. Goldsmith et al, The Journal of Human Resources 42(4), 2007 Illustration: Mona Chalabi/Guardian US The series will include a collection of essays including actor Dewanda Wise on class and colorism; Aurielle Lucier on using Tinder as a dark-skinned queer black woman; Vanessa Deluca on her marriage to a white Italian man; Stephanie Yeboah on using bleaching creams, and more. Advertisement A photo essay by Shaniqwa Jarvis showcases the beauty of the link between mothers and daughters together. Our video, Colorism in conversation, will present the views of eight different women having a frank conversation on the subject. In our panel, actors Danielle Brooks, Ashley Blaine Featherson and Charnele Brown, among others, will tell us about their lived experiences with colorism. Shades of Black illuminates the shame, guilt and pride felt by those women, and aims to encourage dialogue around this topic in black and non-black communities. We hope you join in. Share your experience of colorism: use the hashtag #ShadesofBlack on social media The conversation on race is just getting started. The Guardian sees its role as to amplify it, to investigate injustice, listen to people from all communities, tell their stories. We recently appointed two community affairs correspondents to do just that. So that people from all backgrounds are heard, and the first draft of history is universal, not selective. As you join us today from France, we have a small favour to ask. 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