What is colorism?
"Colorism is the process of discrimination that privileges light-skinned people of color over their dark-skinned counterparts" (Hunter, 2007, p. 237). In Jamaica, colorism was born out of racist colonial structures which gave higher status and more rights to lighter-skinned Black and non-Black people. "In spite of universal adult suffrage, political independence, universalistic incorporation, and modernization, the racial, cultural, and color distinctions of the colonial order persist" (Charles, 2003, p. 714). Today, lighter-complected individuals receive preferential treatment in society which leads to major economic and educational inequities where "it was reported that some employers and their agents from a Jamaican state training organization specifically requested lighter-skinned or brown applicants, a criterion that was reportedly articulated both verbally and on the application forms for the placement of trainees" (Kelly, 2020, p. 303).
Colorism is dangerous both mentally and physically...
''Colourism, which includes the practice of skin bleaching in Jamaica, is a form of racism and discrimination. Just, like the outcome of the practice of bullying, it is a tort which could result in emotional and psychological harm to those who are exposed to it.''
- Campbell-Daenen, 2018, p. 30
Skin bleaching is harmful...
In Jamaica, "there is a constant struggle between the African culture and the 'superior' European culture... a consequence, Black mothers in Jamaica tell their children that their nappy hair is bad. Moreover, the children are also told that White is better than brown and brown is better than Black. This is why some Black Jamaicans bleach their skin"(Charles, 2003, pp. 714-715).
Skin bleach often contains mercury...
The average skin lightening cream contains more mercury than other over the counter skin care products (Ricketts et al., 2020). The higher mercury content puts users at risk of mercury poisoning which can lead to brain and kidney damage, as well as affect the development of babies in utero (World Health Organization, 2023).
We need to break the cycle...
Although most reports of complications due to skin bleaching are of women in their 20s and 30s, "men are also involved. Astoundingly, 'even 10 year olds in school are taking the bleaching pill. Only babies aren't being given it yet' " (Charles, 2003, p. 715). Young Jamaican children are commonly taught self-hatred because of their skin color, leading them to bleach as adults or even start before reaching adulthood (Charles, 2003).