This was so much fun! Questions ranged from: usage of the word exotic, racist jokes, online dating, distrust of light skinned women, how to support dark skinned people, and media representation. Below I’ve included abridged versions of each question and key points from my answers.
Sounds of Color (DM): Hello, Dr. Webb. I would like to ask about something since one of our audience gave us some comment about using the word “Exotic.” She that word was one of many that hopefully could be vanished over dark skinned or black people in America. And also she said that, calling someone with word “exotic” is a part of doing colorism? I hope you could give me an explanation so we could understand more about it. Thank you so much for your attention Dr. Webb! Love, Sounds of Color Team.Exotic destinations, exotic animals, exotic plants- not humans.
Answer:
- Form of objectification. Form of othering. Further emphasizes that you are “alien” or abnormal and thus must be somehow relegated outside or on the margins.
- Only worthy as your fantasy, as your play doll, as your escape or vacation from reality, or as your fetish.
- Closely tied to the history of colonialism and conquest and exploitation by Europeans and White Americans.
M (email): Dear Dr Webb, I have just come across your blog about Colorism v Racism. Whilst I understand your conclusion that the two are essentially one and the same, I would plead for an acceptability of the latter when in certain circumstances. I gently tease other nations, and would expect and accept the same from them. Yes I am English (for better or worse) in a way that causes amusement to others as well as me. On the other hand, I am totally against any aspect of even teasing about colour – although have in the past been teased for the lightness of my skin by someone of a darker hue. I live by the maxim that the Good Lord created us such that we bleed the same colour blood, and are the same in spirit. I am 62 years old so have many years of ‘old-fashionedness’ about me that makes many of today’s attitudes seem extreme, but with younger daughters, am learning fast! I would value your thoughts as to whether such teasing is really racism in disguise. All good wishes, M
Answer:
- Jokes that diss, demean, downgrade, negatively stereotype are not okay. They reinforce racist ideas.
- Can we ever tell jokes again? Jokes can actually be used to raise awareness and to convict us. Jokes can be subversive. Ex. Luvvie Ajay, Robin Thede, A Black Lady Sketch Show, Trevor Noah,
- Consider your positionality and the power dynamics and historical context.
love.justice.2 (comment): What about colorism in online dating? I often feel left out.
Answer:
- It’s real. See my latest IG post on Preference or Prejudice based on my 2013 blog post.
- So it mirrors the same inequity and discrimination in the offline world.
- Heightened in online dating because people can select preferences and never even get the opportunity to meet dark-skinned black women.
- Heightened because all you have to go on initially is visual photos.
- In the offline world, you don’t have the same artificial control of who you meet.
Anon (IG DM): (and all LS DMs) “I don’t want to say reverse colorism. There’s no such thing just like there’s no such thing as reverse racism. But I’ve noticed within the Black community a lot of anger towards light skinned women. I understand where it comes from, but I don’t know what I can do to make another black women feel like I’m not a threat. I’m also biracial with a black father and a white mother. But in the United States, we’re all just black.”
Answer:
- Correct: Reaction to the system does NOT = the system.
- Not all seen as “just black.”
- Black father, white mother, exposes the truth of the system.
- So perhaps on some level, there is a “threat.” Regardless of your intentions, you are more likely to be chosen to get picked because your skin is lighter. Even if you as the individual are not threatening, you represent a system that is.
- The way to heal and reconcile that is for light skinned women to be heavily invested in dismantling the system. What that might look like brings me to my next question.
In a society that not only tries to tear us down but also tear us apart, sisterhood does not come merely because we wish it. Sisterhood requires that we show up for our sisters, especially the more vulnerable. Sisterhood is a journey in which we seek to find our way back to each other.
Dr. Sarah L. Webb
Anilacy (IG Q): “What can we do to support our dark-skinned neighbors, friends and loved ones right now?”
- Be the first person to speak up about colorism- in general and in response to specific instances.
- Actively create space for dark-skinned people.
- Check on the physical and financial needs of dark-skinned people.
- Listen to them without redirecting the conversation back to you.
There were more questions asked live, but you’ll have to watch the video to view those! 🙂
HOMEWORK: Come up with more questions!
AFFIRMATION: I have learned to let go and move on toward my higher calling.