The ribbing of light skinned Aunt Viv is a perfect example of why we need to move pass the debate on colorism in pop-culture. So when something they do or say prompts an important discussion like one on colorism, all discussions thereafter need to serve a purpose in dismantling the issue. Zendaya actively speaks out against the discrimnation many darker-skinned women have to face that she herself has never faced. I would even argue that pop culture rarely positions colorism as abuse that white people inflict as well. Copyright © 2020 Interactive One, LLC. Smith is the lady in red standing beside Beau Bridges, who portrays Rainbow’s father. Just in case you’re not up on Black-ish, this is how Smith looks, by the way: Happy birthday Anna Deavere Smith! Light skinned people have to recognize that white people are constantly assessing a spectrum of proximity to whiteness; this assessment includes consideration for other kinds of closeness to whiteness, such as those ‘achieved’ through features like colored eyes and loosely textured hair — and assimilation into white concepts of beauty…. We’ve spent so long fighting that whenever we do have a moment where a TV show or film has a primarily black cast, we celebrate. Although we are improving, there’s still a long way to go. Or arguing that a light skinned woman is not intelligent enough or talented enough for a job, or a movie role. The reasoning for Hubert’s departure isn’t reflective of the mistreatment many dark-skinned women face, but the choice in who they replaced her with is. And when it comes to the music industry, the most popular discussion on colorism centers Beyoncé, who people say “would not be as successful if she were dark-skinned”. Light skinned Aunt Viv still had the job, dark-skinned Aunt Viv did not. Black-ish doesn’t have an in-studio audience, but there’s no way they can’t address this stark difference to the audience watching at home, even as a nod. She believes in creating a bigger space for darker women in the media whilst making sure she denies any opportunities that are favored for her. As light skinned people, we have to question how whiteness continues to use us and why we feel comfortable holding that over darker skinned folks. For years, African Americans have struggled with finding sufficient representation in the media. One example of someone who uses their light-skin privilege to combat the effects of colorism is actress and singer Zendaya. When I say this, I don’t mean all black people. TV isn’t the only outlet where colorism can be observed. And yet, colorism is being treated in pop culture solely as a dark-skinned versus light skinned people issue. It will pay us better to remember that ass we use any opportunity to uplift dark-skinned people. In pop culture discussions on colorism, some dark skinned people engage other forms of anti blackness to defend various positions, or in an attempt to prove the existence of colorism. And a couple weeks ago, a regional advocacy group here in the Caribbean called on people to start recognizing that colorism is a facet of anti blackness rather than a singular issue within the black community — a ‘euphemizing’ of sorts which further delays fixing it. The reasoning for Hubert’s departure isn’t reflective of the mistreatment many dark-skinned women face, but the choice in who they replaced her with is. The character Aunt Viv was originally portrayed by Janet Hubert, a dark-skinned woman, and was later replaced by Daphne Maxwell Reid, a light-skinned woman. Replacing the actress for a role originally portrayed by a dark-skinned woman with a lighter woman is problematic. One famous instance of colorism can be observed through the TV show, “The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.” The character Aunt Viv was originally portrayed by Janet Hubert, a dark-skinned woman, and was later replaced by Daphne Maxwell Reid, a light-skinned woman. We tend to become so captivated by our sense of representation that we don’t realize how poorly represented black people still are. People highlighted that “many” or “most” of them married light skinned women or white women (and on occasion, other non black women) and claimed that it made these men colorist. Remember when Aunt Viv went from being a dark skin woman to a light skin woman on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? Classic black rom-coms such as “Jumping the Broom,” “Love and Basketball,” “Guess Who” and “Just Wright” all have light-skinned women playing the female lead and two of them are paired with darker men. That is the first issue in the approach to ridding ourselves of colorism. In other words, light skinned privilege as a facet of colorism is also under the scrutiny of whiteness — light skin privilege is not always automatic and can be deemed moot for the sake of features, hair texture etc. As well as an act in dismantling systems of whiteness which created issues such as colorism. Her dark skinned counterpart was allegedy booted for her attitude and uncontrollable nature; she was the “angry black girl”. It can be tracked over the years by simply observing the people who have been cast in black romance movies and TV shows. Black people of a lighter shade rarely find trouble being casted in major roles of films and TV shows. We have to come to the defense of dark skinned folks, and without drowning out their voices in the conversation. Break that punny fourth wall! It has been discovered that even classroom dynamics are affected by colorism and tend to lead to a person with darker skin performing worse than a person with lighter skin. After all, colorism is a form of anti blackness and even light skinned folks will be passed over for white skinned folks. Big Families: Black Celebs With 4 Or More Kids. At the time, it was already difficult enough for darker women to find roles in the media. For ex. As light skinned people we must share our platforms and sometimes defer our opportunities in order to uplift darker skinned people who have been robbed of them. In recent weeks there have been discussions about Zendaya, who is a bi-racial up and coming actress, and how colorism ‘made’ her career. Light skin women are unfaithful, they don’t text back accordingly within a timely manner, they’re gold diggers, and they possess rather large foreheads. From entertainers, to fans, to “commentators”, critics, YouTubers, and lately ‘advocates’ and ‘activists’, the colorism conversations being had, and prompted by pop culture are a mission in wasting time and energy. Smollett-Bell says “There are obstacles and challenges that my dark-skinned sisters ... Will Smith’s hit sit-com the “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air” character ‘Aunt Viv’ changed from the chocolate skin Janet Hubert to the more fair complexion Daphne Maxwell Reid. There was also an explosive Twitter discussion about colorist black men in the (American) music industry. Firstly, we should all stop debating colorism. Recently, our media has slowly been able to improve in the casting of darker-skinned women. #blackish pic.twitter.com/tEyDTdSGTR, — Dot Gov (@Sethersk82) September 18, 2017. Well, ABC is doing something very similar with their new Black-ish spinoff. The TV show, “Insecure,” tends to accurately represent a dark-skinned woman’s (Issa Rae) experience in America while showcasing other dark-skinned actors and actresses. Light-skinned African Americans should recognize the privilege that comes with their complexion and actively work against colorism. Truthfully, some or all of these discussions as they are, may very well be arguable. Remember when Aunt Viv went from being a dark skin woman to a light skin woman on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air? All Rights Reserved. Zwarte Piet, or: The Illusion of the Netherlands’ Progressive Image, Why I support Black Lives Matter — Victoria MacLeod, Racial Profiling Is More Common Than You Think. Colorism can even be observed on college campuses. Anti-blackness is so entrenched that we are all actively unlearning different facets of it. The privilege has terms and conditions predicated on other forms of whiteness and or anti blackness. Colorism at its root is anti blackness created by systems of whiteness and perpetuated by the internalized anti blackness of those who are ‘privileged’ enough not to experience it. I am a lighter skinned person (not dark skinned but not that light) but I will attest that when these discussions inevitably happen, ‘my people’ the light people are usually very triggered. Well, ABC is doing something very similar with their new Black-ish spinoff. Likewise, it is common for black Americans to joke that the ‘light-skinned Aunt Viv’ in the popular tv series, The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air has never been worthy of the part. Colorism is not a debate. Colorism is a creation of whiteness. Hollywood’s preference over light-skinned people isn’t new. If you notice, the two wouldn’t be able to share foundation. Using featurism to argue that a darker skinned woman is more beautiful than a lighter skinned one. According to Dateline, Tika Sumpter will portray Alicia, Rainbow’s mother. And then there are others who are open in admitting their privilege. Tim Norman Pleads Not Guilty In Murder-For-Hire Case, Requests To Be Released To Stay With Miss Robbie, Ice Cube Confirms Working With Trump Administration, Twitter Blasts The Rap Icon, Miss Robbie Breaks Silence After Son Tim Norman Arrested in Murder Plot, Tamar Braxton Defends Ex David Adefeso; He Responds To Toni’s Public Blasting, Iyanla Vanzant Confirms End of ‘Fix My Life’ Series on OWN, Atlanta Police Make Arrest in Actor’s Shooting Death. The most vapid discussions on colorism take place in pop culture and entertainment spaces: Is colorism being used to further divide black people, Does colorism only affect dark skinned people, Would this celebrity be where they are if they were dark skinned, Black male celebrities don’t marry dark skinned women; they’re colorist. However, dark-skinned actors, especially women, have much more difficulty when it comes to being cast in similar roles. As black people, our job (especially for light skinned people) in dismantling colorism is to stop valuing any closeness we may have to whiteness. And truthfully, dark skinned people deserve to express their frustrations as they see fit — so long as those expressions are not otherwise bigoted. Once you start to look for it, colorism is a very easy thing to find. According to Dateline, Tika Sumpter will portray Alicia, Rainbow’s mother. We have to read and acknowledge the facts. When our feelings are hurt (by the ‘attacks’ on light skinned people), we have to temper our responses because there is no reverse colorism. Importantly, I believe that the fight against colorism is an act in unlearning internalized anti-blackness.
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