This piece is part of my 2016–2026 archive migration. Some original formatting, content, and external links may be missing, changed, or not be optimized.
The color of your skin defines your life experience
Slavery
Society rewarded lighter enslaved people with staying in the house versus working in the fields. People feel more comfortable and less fearful around lighter brown people than darker brown people. You can observe this in everyday interactions, in the corporate workforce, and on the streets. People tend to treat lighter people better; it’s just fact.
Like other systems of racial inequality, American colorism was born out of slavery. As slave masters raped enslaved women, their lighter-skinned illegitimate offspring were given preferential treatment over their darker counterparts, often working in the house as opposed to the fields. This order has since been perpetuated by systemic racism and internalized by black people. It remains alive even now, insidiously snaking into my life (Source: The Guardian).
The movie Passing is a perfect example of the advantages of being light-skinned. The main character’s best friend chooses to pass for white instead of fully embracing her blackness and identifying as an African American woman. She even marries a white man who marries because he thinks she is white. She enjoys the white privilege and the other benefits of living in safer neighborhoods and gaining access to white-only activities that no African-American would be able to enjoy.
Media
Music also consistently promotes lighter-skinned individuals more than dark skin. I heard the song “Hello” by pop smoke the other day with lyrics that say:
Lightskin, yellow, iced out, hello
I like my bitches redbone, ass fat, Jell-O
Don’t get me wrong; there is nothing wrong with light skin and red-boned women; some might even consider I fall into one of these categories. But we have a responsibility as black individuals to encourage a love for all skin shades.
Thankfully, we’re starting to integrate more dark-skinned individuals into mainstream media, music videos, commercials, and advertisements, but it’s still not enough. Lighter skin is still the preference around the globe, which is why many Asians use skin lightening creams because lighter skin is deemed more attractive.
Dark skin is beautiful. If you’re a darker skin individual, please know that you are worthy of love and respect, and you are beautiful, appreciated, and valuable.
This content is for informational purposes only — not professional advice. Consult a qualified professional before making any major decisions.