#4 Final Summary/Reaction

After completing my observations and survey, I concluded that many people were not familiar with the term "colorism". Only two out of the twelve who took the survey said that they knew the term "colorism" and the rest said they were not familiar with it. The results for being discriminated based on their skin color were split. Fifty percent said that they had been discriminated against, while the other half said they had not. About ninety percent of the survey-takers said that they see forms of colorism take place in the media, today, such as photoshopping skin tones to make them look lighter. As well as a survey, I also went to the mall to see if darker-skinned people were treated unfairly in certain stores. I mostly wanted to see if employees would help the lighter-skinned customers first. Overall, I did not notice too many instances of discrimination in stores, but there were a couple of times where employees did go to help the wealthier looking customers, who also appeared to be lighter-skinned. 

I was able to find what I thought I was going to because my results came out extremely similar to my hypothesis and predictions. I predicted that many people would not be familiar with the term "colorism", would only think about colorism if they were brought to the attention of it, and that lighter-skinned customers would be helped first. All of these predictions were proven correct with the help of my observations. After this semester, I feel very comfortable with my topic and that I have learned a lot about it. Before learning about colorism, I had not heard of it so it was interesting to learn something new. Learning about colorism has been very interesting and made me think even more about the photoshopping and discrimination against darker-skinned people. Now that I have more information, I hope to inform other people about this topic, who are not familiar with it. 

#3 Revised Summary/Plan/Update

In my results for my survey and observation, I have noticed that many people are not really aware of colorism still being present today. However, when people took my survey, I then realized that they were only aware of prejudices against those with darker skin when I made them aware of it. While observing people at the mall, I did notice that everyone was treated equally, for the most part. In some situations, I noticed that employees would go to help lighter-skinned or wealthy-looking customers first, rather than darker-skinned customers, which is completely unfair. My hypothesis was that people would not be fully aware of colorism today in our society and I think that these observations proved that. People were only aware of colorism when they were forced to think about it. I think that I am seeing these results because people are very much wrapped up in their lives and are very busy that they do not have the time to think about colorism and it is not a main priority or focus in their lives. Although some of my results varied, they were mostly similar overall.

#2 Strategy/Plan for Research

For my project, I intend to use a paper survey and hand it out to both males and females between the ages of 18 to 60, of all social classes. I predict that most of the people taking the survey will not think about colorism as being prevalent in their society today because they do not notice it or do not think it is present. If some people do believe that colorism is still present today, I am curious as to what the results of the survey will be. 

#1 Suggested Research Method/Why

For my semester 2 project, I have decided to do a survey consisting of about 10 questions. I plan to ask people about their opinions and views on colorism and if they still think it is present today. I want to survey people between the ages of 18-60 years old. I also want to incorporate observing people in the mall or a store to see who gets served first; lighter-skinned people or darker-skinned people.

#8 Summary of Research

Colorism is something that affects many people over the world and has done so for many years. It is out of pure ignorance that people believe lighter-skinned people are superior to darker-skinned people. Some studies have been done to show how the human mind subconsciously links lighter-skinned people to knowledge and intelligence, rather than dark-skinned people. All of the research I have done about colorism has made me more aware of the prejudices that are still very much present in our society today. Although we have evolved as a society, we, unfortunately, have not grown to move past the injustices held against others, especially those with darker skin. Colorism is a very serious issue that needs to be addressed because not only is it morally wrong, but it negatively effects people's self-esteem. This hurts others and slows down our progress in becoming a better, more accepting society. People should never be judged purely on the color of their skin and we should have moved on from this stigma that seems to be never-ending. The media plays a huge role in supporting colorism, even if it is done subliminally. Some ways in which the media subliminally plays into colorism are by editing photos of people to make their skin look somewhat lighter and by idolizing lighter-skinned people, rather than darker-skinned people. By doing such things, the media is sending messages that darker-skinned people are seen as inferior and not as appreciated as lighter-skinned people, which is cruel. I think that we need to put an end to editing photos to make skin look lighter and start embracing the fact that everyone has different skin tones and there is nothing wrong with that. Becoming more knowledgeable about colorism has made me think twice about supporting companies that try to embrace light skin more than dark skin. I believe that everyone should be accepted for who they are as a person, not based off of their skin color. 

#7 Article: Study Reveals The Unconscious Bias Towards Dark Skin People We Already Knew Existed

This Huffington Post article discusses how studies show that people subconsciously remember educated black men as having lighter skin. This implies that black people are most intelligent and successful when they have light skin as opposed to darker skin. This study consisted of 125 university students who were shown either of the words, "ignorant" or "educated" followed by a picture of a black man. Next, they were shown seven more of these pictures with the same face but with differing skin tones. The results showed that the students who saw the word "educated" connected it with the lighter skin-toned man. This just goes to show that many people are prejudice against people with darker skin and do not even realize it most of the time.

I believe that many people have these stereotypes ingrained into their minds because of the "bubble" and society that they live in. As the article stated, we subconsciously make these assumptions and stereotypes in our minds before even thinking about what we concluded or getting to know someone. I really think that these assumptions lead to our downfall as a society and that we need to grow and evolve to rebuild it. Not only is it wrong to make these assumptions but it is pure ignorance. I do believe that we can learn to correct these faults we have.

Article: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/14/skin-tone-bias_n_4597924.html
Picture: http://i.huffpost.com/gen/1562583/thumbs/o-SKIN-TONE-BIAS-570.jpg

#6 Article

This CNN article discusses more injustices and experiences of people victimized by colorism. Professor Ronald E. Hall mentions how colorism is becoming the new "ism", or practice, in America today. Professor Hall also gives evidence of racial discrimination against darker skinned people. One case, Felix v. Marquez, involved employees of the Office of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in Washington. Felix, who is darker-skinned, accused Marquez, the lighter-skinned defendant, of not promoting her due to colorism.  Professor Hall also mentions how legal cases involving colorism have increased in the U.S. and also around the world. 

I think it is important for us, as a society, to evolve and move beyond this "ism" that has become present in our lives. I strongly believe that we need to move beyond this discrimination towards people with darker skin, or any discrimination at all. The media has a huge role in making seem as if it is okay to edit photos to make celebrities' skin lighter. In order to move past this, I believe we need to show that we do not support this discrimination or the media for glorifying lighter-skinned men and women. 

Article: http://inamerica.blogs.cnn.com/2012/12/13/opinion-colorism-is-the-new-ism/
Picture: http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_me26jkGS6T1r5r1alo1_400.jpg

#5 Video

In this video, Dr. Parameswaran, a professor of journalism at Indiana University, discusses the effects of colorism on the lives of women and how it affects them emotionally.  Dr. Parameswaran focuses more on how women are treated based on the darkness of their skin color. She also talks about how younger women in their teenage years face more skin color discrimination than older women who have accomplished more in life. Dr. Parameswaran also brings to light that people with darker skin, who have received an education, face less discrimination than those who have not. When Dr. Parameswaran states that these educated women are less discriminated against means that they have a better chance to overcome their discrimination and can become more successful. For all of those who are discriminated, their self-esteem and confidence can be destroyed by being told, from an early age, that no one will ever marry them or not being picked to participate in school dances or other events purely because on their dark skin. In the future, this can lead to more deterioration in their confidence and lower the success and happiness that they might have achieved if they were not discriminated against. 

I think it is cruel and unfair to be judged on your appearance especially something as simple as our skin color. There should be no reason to be discriminated against because one's skin is darker than others. I found this interview interesting and informative because Dr. Parameswaran was letting others know that colorism is present in all races with people with darker skin. Although colorism is the most present in the Asian and African countries, it is still relevant and an issue in many other areas around the world too. I also found this video informative, especially when the professor mentioned how young women are the target group to be affected by these beauty products to lighten their skin color so they will be more "beautiful" in the eyes of others. I found this video very interesting although I do not suffer from colorism but because I fall into the age group of those women who are especially being targeted by colorism. 

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6n3sXZz2FeU 

#4 The Effects of Colorism on Self-Esteem

As displayed in this video, a young woman discusses how colorism, in our society, has negatively effected the self-esteem of women and men. Many women and men who have felt like victims of colorism, say that it has destroyed their self-esteem and confidence in being a person with darker skin. In my opinion, I think this is ridiculous how discrimination against people with darker skin is still present in the twenty-first century. Of course I believe that discrimination and segregation between different races should have never occurred and I would have thought that society would have moved past this and grown to respect people of all races. Although colorism still exists in our society and media today, not everyone is prejudice or ignorant towards others and I do believe that we are and can progress in our beliefs and treatment of others. 

Video: http://vimeo.com/75723502

Picture: http://ourblackpages.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/colorism.jpg

#3 Video

This video captures one form of colorism in the black community. Singer and songwriter, India Arie discusses how she was scrutinized by her fans and the media for making it seem as if she lightened her skin color for an album cover. People were claiming that she was a hypocrite for not embracing her natural skin color and editing it to look lighter, which media claims is "better" than darker skin colors. In this interview, India sits down with Oprah and states that she did not lighten her skin for this picture, but she edited it to make her skin look golden. India is a prime example of someone who embraces her skin color and who she is. 

Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MdtwslArbvY

# 2 Article: Colorism

For those who do not know what colorism is, it is a form of discrimination purely based on the color of one's skin. This type of discrimination is more common around people with a darker skin color. Dating all the way back to the sixteenth century, African Americans with lighter skin were seen to be better than those with darker skin. Even today, the media influences people to believe that African Americans have more opportunities if they have lighter skin tones. By doing this, the media is sending the wrong images and messages that lighter skinned people are more likely to be accepted into the media industry. Prime examples of glorifying lighter skinned African Americans include Beyoncè, Drake, Rihanna, and many others. Another main example of colorism is Michael Jackson's story. Although, he stated that the reasoning for his skin bleaching was due to a disease called vitiligo, many suspect that he felt uncomfortable and discriminated against due to his darker skin color. Although media sends negative messages, there have been many television shows positively portray African Americans such as The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air and The Cosby Show. 

While reading this article, I felt shocked that media has such a negative perspective on people with darker skin. I believe that society should be accepting of everyone despite what the color of their skin looks like. To me, this feels as if we are going back many years ago when people were prejudice against others for their ethnicity and skin color, which is ridiculous. Although many people feel as if they are treated differently based on their skin color, not everyone is prejudice. Many people in our society are accepting and do not judge others purely based on what they look like.

              

Article: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/07/10/AR2009071000022.html
Picture 1: http://atlantablackstar.com/2012/10/13/colorism-still-plaguing-black-communities-around-the-world/
Picture 2: http://msmagazine.com/blog/2010/03/28/what-can-we-do-about-colorism/

#1 Introduction: Colorism

# 1 Introduction:

The reason why I chose to discuss colorism is because I was automatically very interested when I heard about this topic. I want to learn more about colorism and why many people in our society tend to discriminate others based solely on their skin color. Colorism affects people worldwide, especially those who are in the media, such as celebrities. In response to being discriminated against, some people have undergone bleaching of their skin to make it lighter in order to "fit in" with society's standards. This topics interests me very much and I would love to learn more about it.