#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